December 26, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

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Storm recovery effort takes time

Crews work through two snow storms to restore power to area residents
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER
The power was back on to nearly every house in Westminster and Ashburnham by mid-day Monday, about 12 days after a massive ice storm knocked out power to a significant portion of North Central Massachusetts. More...

Special Sections

People & Events

CALENDAR

26 FRIDAY December Drop- In Crafts will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Make a magic ornament. Call (978) 534-7522. More...

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Arts & Entertainment

Community Choice

Art museum celebrates the New Year in style

A Get ready for New Year's family workshop will be held from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. More...

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Opinion

An unprecedented reminder

Editorial

Ever since Thomas Edison managed to figure out how to send electricity through wires, it's been the one utility that Americans take most for granted. When power goes out even for a few minutes, we become agitated. More...

The Tree of Christmas Past

By Emily Chetkowski

With the holiday season upon us, A Christmas Carol is being performed at First Parish Church, in Fitchburg. The ad brought to mind the scary Ghost of Christmas Past, which in turn reminded me of a certain Christmas Past of my own. More...

COMMUNITY JOURNAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK

The best thing about having no power was …. Seeing all of the neighbors A return to traditional activities The family bonding Getting it back on Cast your vote online at www.thecommunityjournal. More...

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Obituaries

William Urho Sakkinen, 57

Was a loving and devoted husband and father

ASHBURNHAM — William "Bill" Urho Sakkinen, 57, of 51 Cashman Hill Road, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Heywood Hospital, after being stricken ill at home. Bill was born in Gardner on Aug. More...

Robert W. Gould, 79

Was U.S. veteran; worked for town of Ashburnham

ASHBURNHAM — Robert W. Gould, 79, of 17 Depot Road, died peacefully at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, Dec. 18. He was born in Fitchburg on Dec. 22, 1928, the son of the late William H. More...

Doris M. (Vachon) Green, 84

Was an avid downhill skier

LEOMINSTER — Doris M. (Vachon) Green, 84 of Leominster and formerly of Ashburnham, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, in Hillcrest Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Oct. More...

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Ashburnham

New accountant to start immediately after negotiations with Selectmen

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Nancy Haines agreed to start her job as the town's accountant on Tuesday, Dec. 23, during her negotiations with Ashburnham Selectmen on Monday night as a drafted letter of agreement was signed. More...

Blood drive to be held next Friday

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Ashburnham on Friday, January 2, 2009, at the Ashburnham Community Church, Main and Chapel streets. The Blood Drive will be held from 2 until 7 p.m. and will be open to the public. More...

Holiday Concert upcoming

The Greater Gardner Community Holiday Concert will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 3 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church in Gardner. More...

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State senator says goodbye

Antonioni leaves office next week after 16 years in Senate
By Jennifer Lefferts JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

For a private person like state Sen. Robert Antonioni, the scrutiny of public office can take its toll. That's why after 20 years in the Legislature, Antonioni has no regrets about his decision to step away from the glare. More...

News

Smith leads National Guard effort across the area

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

On Friday, Dec. More...

What you shared with us

Through this issue are photos and stories that were submitted to The Community Journal by readers. We would love to see more. Please submit your tales and photos from the ice storm. More...

Article

(Left) Ashburnham Fire Department got some help from their colleagues from across the state after the work recovering from the ice storm kept many of the call and full-time firefighters at the department or on the streets More...

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Schools

Students at Overlook Middle School play Santa

For the eighth year in a row the students on Team 8 Orange from Overlook Middle School in Ashburnham participated in a gift giving project for the Battered Women's Resources Inc. in Leominster and Gardner. More...

Monty Tech Honor Roll for First Quarter

Special Honors Class of 2009: Westminster resident - Matthew Barber Class of 2010: Westminster resident - Dorothia Daigle Class of 2011: Westminster resident - Tatiana d'Entremont Class of 2012: More...

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Worship

WORSHIP COLUMN

ASBHY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Located at The Common, in Ashby. If you are seeking Christian worship, service and fellowship, please join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. More...

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Westminster

Property tax rates set in both towns

Bills scheduled to be mailed out on time
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The state Department of Revenue approved the tax rate for both Ashburnham and Westminster, which should allow officials in both towns to send the bills out on time. More...

Forbush Memorial announces information

Due to the ice storm, and inclement weather, fines will not be charged for items that come due now through Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Forbush Memorial Library. The library announces the following hours for the holidays, Friday, Dec. More...

Westminster 2009 calendars now on sale

The 2009 calendar by the Westminster Historical Society is now on sale. Entitled "Westminster Celebrates" it is the official calendar for the town of Westminster's anniversary year and is in full color for the first time. More...

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