December 3, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

WEB ST- oak super bowl v Littleton-4689.jpg

WEB UPDATE: Spartans are Super Bowl Champs

By Caitlyn Kelleher
(SATURDAY ) The Oakmont varsity football team captured the Division 3A Championship with the Super Bowl win against Littleton this morning. The Spartans capped off their season with the 29-19 win. More...

In need of horse power

The Ashburnham Conservation Trust is gathering up their horse power for this weekend’s attempt to remove a shack and related debris down the hill off of 170 acres of land at the end of Kelton Road on Mount Hunger. More...

Light provider remembered

Ainsleigh dies in office

The long-time chairman of the Ashburnham Municipal Light Board George Leonard Ainsleigh died on Saturday, Nov. 28. Ainsleigh has served for 15 years on the board since first being elected in 1994. His current term would have ended in April 2010. More...

Special Sections

People & Events

COMMUNITY CHOICE

Celebrate the season with holiday tree lighting

The town of Westminster will celebrate the season with their annual Holiday Tree Lighting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at Academy Hill. The community is invited to enjoy refreshments, caroling, and a visit from Santa. More...

CALENDAR

5 SATURDAY The Sterling Garden Club will hold their annual Holiday Greens Sale at 9 a.m. at the Sterling Historical Society’s barn, Maple Street, Sterling. More...

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Arts & Entertainment

All aboard the Polar Express

Audiences are being called to view the East Dance Studio’s magical dance journey through the beloved classic The Polar Express, which will be performed by dancers from the age of three to adult on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. More...

Stratton Players presents ‘Gifts of The Magi’

FITCHBURG — The Stratton Players presents “Gifts of The Magi,” a joyous musical retelling of two O. Henry stories, directed by Rick Woods running Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave. More...

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Living Well

December events at the Ashburnham Senior Center

The Ashburnham Council on Aging is located at 12 Memorial Drive. For more information on any program or service contact the Council on Aging at (978) 827- 5000. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More...

December events in Westminster

The Westminster Council on Aging is located at 127 Main St., in the American Legion Hall. For more information on any program or service contact COA Director Sue Fisher at (978) 874-7402. The center is open weekdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. More...

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Sports

Storming On

The Oakmont varsity football team broke through the defenses of Thanksgiving Day rival Gardner in the 30th annual match-up between the two teams. The Spartans beat the Wildcats, 16-8, to became the secondseeded team in the Central Mass. More...

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

Saturday, Dec. 5 10 a.m. Boys’ Varsity Football vs. Littleton High/Middle School, Fitchburg State College Wednesday, Dec. 9 3:30 p.m. Boys’ Middle School Basketball at Narragansett Middle 4:30 p.m. More...

All-Sports Camp to focus on fun and learning

FITCHBURG — A Holiday Vacation All-Sports Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to noon during school vacation week, Dec. 28 through Dec. 31, at the St. Bernard’s Activity Center, 280 Summer St. More...

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Obituaries

George Leonard Ainsleigh, 81

Municipal Light Board chairman; active at Ashburnham Community Church

ASHBURNHAM — George Leonard Ainsleigh, 81, of Ashburnham, formerly of Northborough, died Saturday morning, November 28, 2009, after an illness. More...

Andrew Casey, 46

Was development director for Nashua River Watershed Association

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Andrew “Drew” Casey, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H., died Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, after succumbing to complications from a bacterial infection. More...

Arvo A. Lamsa, 93

Was FHS graduate; U.S. veteran

SHUTESBURY — Arvo A. Lamsa, 93, of Lancaster, formerly of Shutesbury, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster. 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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Westminster

Piecing together the volunteers

Jessica Leger, a member of the 250th Anniversary Committee, holds up the quilt she made with the signatures of all of the Westminster residents that serve on the town's boards in honor of the anniversary. More...

H1N1 clinic to be held at Oakmont

The Ashburnham and Westminster boards of health will be sponsoring an H1N1 Flu Clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. More...

Our Savior Lutheran Church presents a Living Nativity

WESTMINSTER - To mark the Christmas season Our Savior Lutheran Church will present its 21st traditional Living Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6. More...

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BREAKING NEWS: Zapantis announces June 30th retirement

By Caitlyn Kelleher

(THURSDAY, 9:45 A.M.) Ashburnham-Westminster Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Zapantis announced his pending retirement at the school committee meeting on Wednesday. More...

Early diagnosis leads to anti-cancer activism

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Seven years ago Westminster resident Todd Miller was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and it may have been one of the most fortunate occurrences of his life. “I felt like the luckiest person. More...

Budget cuts eliminate two empty positions

Ashburnham
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Ashburnham voters approved budget reductions that eliminate the vacant directors positions at the department of public works and at the council on aging as the cut the budget $300,000. More...

Voters lower the budget

Westminster
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

On Tuesday, Westminster Special Town Meeting voters approved reduction of the town’s budget that cut hours in the library and building departments, and moved $590,000 from free cash into the operating budget to cover a shortfall in the budget t More...

News

Cell Phones for Soldiers drive underway at MWCC

More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families, so Cell Phones for Soldiers and Mount Wachusett Community College are calling on Americans to support these brave men and women by donating their unused cell phones. More...

A visit from old St. Nick and his elves on horseback

BOLTON — See Santa Clause and the annual holiday performance of the equestrian drill team at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Century Mill Stables, 185 Century Mill Road. More...

Program to commemorate 2008 Ice Storm

With the first anniversary of that incredible event around the corner, the Forbush Library in Westminster and Central Massachusetts Sustainable Communities hope to focus attention on its ongoing impact by asking area residents to submit photos and s More...

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Opinion

Editorial

The primary

Pssst … listen up. There is a primary election on Tuesday for the seat representing Massachusetts in the United States Senate for both parties. More...

Letters to the Editor

Resident issues some cheers and jeers for recent actions To the Editor: Cheers to The Community Journal for breaking the story on Westminster Selectman Nicholas Hay’s misuse of an inspection sticker. More...

Question Of the Week

Cast your vote at thecommunityjournal.com

Are locally sponsored Christmas celebrations a problem? More...

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Schools

Monty Tech students help Girl Scout with project

FITCHBURG — Students in Masonry and Industrial Technology programs at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School are helping a Fitchburg Girl Scout earn her Gold Award. More...

Overlook Spirit Council collects food for local banks

The Overlook student body donated a $110 to the Ashburnham Food Pantry after the Spirit Council sold refreshments at the Monster Dash Cross-Country Race. More...

School Events

Monday, Dec. 7 to Friday, Dec. 11

Meetinghouse School Tuesday, Dec. 8 – Half Day, Professional Development, students dismissed at 11:05 a.m. Westminster Elementary Tuesday, Dec. 8 – Half Day, Professional Development, students dismissed at 11:05 a.m. John R. More...

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Ashburnham

Mansfield to start at ACC

Rev. Charles Bernard Mansfield will become the new pastor of Ashburnham Community Church. The church’s membership approved the installation with a unanimous vote on Sunday, Nov. 29. More...

Santa is coming

Santa Claus arrives in Ashburnham on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Ashburnham Town Hall, Main Street. Santa will arrive by fire truck and accompanied by the Oakmont Marching Band and Color Guard. More...

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