September 25, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

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Preparing to march

The residents of Bacon Street piece together their float for the Westminster 250th Anniversary Parade, which will be held on Sunday. The neighbors will be driving the route in their Halloween-themed float. More...

Selectmen told it's time to decide on senior center

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The selectmen and Ashburnham seniors have to decide about the future home of a senior center in the next few weeks. That's the recommendation selectmen received Monday night. More...

Special Sections

People & Events

CALENDAR

25 FRIDAY The Fitchburg Farmers' Market will be open from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot of the Wallace Civic Center, John Fitch Highway. The market will remain open on Fridays through early October. Call (978) 807-2317. More...

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Opinion

Penny wise and pound foolish

In this time of economic hardship for many people in the communities, it is hard to think that any raise in a tax rate might be the best thing. More...

The Allure of the Apple Orchard

Parenting by the seat of my pants
By Amanda Roberge

There is a reason I live in New England and that except for brief interludes of road trips and cheap apartments that I rented by the month, I have never left. More...

Book sale was successful, more to come

To the Editor: At my book sale over Downtown Day weekend I sold about 2,500 books and raised $467.80. Each of the organizations I am supporting received an initial payment of $300. More...

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Sports

A HIGH SCORING GAME

(Clockwise from top) Former Oakmont teacher Bill Webber was honored on Friday, Sept. 18, by participating in the coin flip prior to Oakmont's first home game of the 2009 season against Tantasqua. More...

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, Oct. 25 7 p.m. Boys' Varsity Football vs. Murdock Middle High Saturday, Sept. 26 9 a.m. Boys' Varsity Cross Country - Manchester Invitational, Derryfield Park, Manchester, N.H. 9 a.m. More...

Wachusett Storm Swim holds first open water swim

Wachusett Storm Swim Club held its first open water swim at Indian Lake in Worcester on Saturday, Aug. 29. The driving rain from the tropical storm did not keep these diehard swimmers from participating. More...

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Schools

Students receive honors based on AP scores

Ten students at Oakmont Regional High School have earned Advance Placement (AP) Scholar awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on their AP exams. More...

MWCC's new farmers' market opens

GARDNER — The Green Society at Mount Wachusett Community College's is promoting locally grown foods by sponsoring a weekly farmers market at the Gardner campus. The Green Society is the sustainability club for students. More...

Wachusett Hills Christian School announcement

Wachusett Hills Christian School is a first to eighth grade elementary school located on the Westminster-Gardner town line off Route 140. More...

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Obituaries

Dorothy C. (Gage) Hickey LaDue, 87

Long-time resident of Westminster; active in the community

WESTMINSTER — Dorothy C. (Gage) Hickey Ladue, 87, of Meetinghouse Road, died Sept. 16, 2009, at her home after an illness. Dorothy was born in Leominster on July 28, 1922, a daughter of the late Franklin M. and Eva E. (Blood) Gage. More...

Justin Michael Powers, 8

Outgoing, unselfish and couragous

ATHOL — Justin Michael Powers, 8, of Lake Ellis Road, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 at the Children's Hospital in Boston after a long battle with heart disease. Justin was born in Boston on Nov. More...

Alice R. (LaFrenier) Lafferty, 88

Life-long Ashburnham resident

ASHBURNHAM — Alice R. (LaFrenier) Lafferty, 88, of Lashua Road, Ashburnham, died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 22, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner. She was born in Ashburnham on Nov. More...

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Westminster

Here comes the parade

The 250th Anniversary celebration will be centered on Main Street this weekend as a parade marches down the road on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. More...

Bridge to be dedicated to Baker

The Westminster Public Works Commission is inviting the public to join them as they dedicate the new Battles Road bridge in the memory of Preston D. Baker on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. More...

Basket workshop to be held

The Westminster Historical Society will sponsor a Fall Basket Workshop at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, at the American Legion Hall, 118 Main St., Westminster. The basket will be a seasonal snowman basket. More...

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Two more express interest in Westminster selectmen's race

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Two more potential candidates have pulled papers for the special election for the Westminster Board of Selectmen. Laili Michaud and Joseph Macchia were the second and third residents to draw papers from the Town Clerk's Office this week. More...

Locals take preparations to combat H1N1

By Karen Mann JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District is one a few that does not have a flu-shot clinic planned at this time. More...

News

Just a taste

Students from the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School taste the sliders prepared by those at Joe's Bistro on Main Street in Westminster during the Taste of North Central. The annual event was held Thursday, Sept. More...

Southampton man to challenge Olver

Michael Engel of Southampton announced this month that he will be running in 2010 to be the representative for the Massachusetts First District. Engel, an independent, will challenge Rep. More...

Ellis to leave Chamber

Michael Ellis, the president and CEO of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, is leaving the organization effective at the beginning of October. More...

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Living Well

Chicago City Limits comes to FSC

FITCHBURG — The improvisational theatre troupe Chicago City Limits will perform a fun and fast-paced show described by its creators as "comedy without a net" on Saturday, Sept. 26, at CenterStage at Fitchburg State College. More...

Wizards Trick Hoops come to the area once again

FITCHBURG — The Harlem Wizards have been wowing audiences since 1962. More...

Theatre at the Mount presents 'Forbidden Broadway'

GARDNER — Theatre at the Mount continues its 2009 season with the regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical spoof "Forbidden Broadway," playing Oct. 2 through Oct. 11, at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St. More...

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Police Log

POLICE LOG

Ashburnham Monday, Sept. 14 6:23 a.m. Fitchburg Road - Assist Other Agency 6:26 a.m. Main Street - Assist Citizen 9:30 a.m. Laurel Drive - Medical Emergency 3:25 p.m. Sherbert Road - Medical Emergency 4:34 p.m. More...

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Worship

WORSHIP COLUMN

ASHBY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Located at the Common in Ashby. If you are seeking a Christian worship service and fellowship, please join us Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. (July 5th through September 6th) for worship service. More...

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Ashburnham

ZBA postpones Naukeag hearing on septic system

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Zoning Board of Appeals last week heeded the advice of the town's attorney and took the administrative step of closing one public hearing, then opening another as it decided whether to revoke or amend the special permit for Naukeag Hospital to More...

Trail clean up Saturday

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Ashburnham Rail Trail Committee will hold another cleanup. This time it will start at the end of Whitney Pond on Central Street (enter where the school buses park next to Mr. Mike's in South Ashburnham). More...

Meeting Matters

Ashburnham Board of Selectmen Monday, Sept. 21, 2009
Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Top Story: The town's IT Study Committee is recommending a new contract be sought for the town's technology services. More...

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