Westminster

Fall Festivals aplenty in the region

September 22, 2022 by pkzadmin

The official calendar arrival of fall today means festivals aplenty across the region, state, and New England, an autumn staple that showcases everything people love about this foliage-rich time of year.

The popular Johnny Appleseed Arts & Cultural Festival is celebrating its 29th anniversary this year and will boast close to 200 vendors on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Leominster. The grounds span Main Street, Mechanic Street, Merriam Avenue and beyond and the large-scale family-friendly event will include live entertainment from two stages all day long including a special performance from 10 to 11 a.m. by Cara Brindisi, a contestant on this season’s “The Voice.”

A special recognition of the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be taking place at 10 a.m. sharp and the foundation will be hosting a silent raffle throughout the day in their booth location across from the main stage by City Hall. Festival organizer Rick Marchand said that “dozens of families that had children who were recipients of the foundations generosity have been invited to attend the festival.”

In addition, there will be 1,000 meals provided for children and families throughout the day “with the generosity of Life Care Center and AIS Office Furniture, two outstanding civic minded organizations,” Marchand said, adding that there will be handicap parking available in the parking lot between the First Baptist Church and the First Church Unitarian. Rick has been a volunteer coordinator for 25 years.

The army of volunteers who pitches in to help each year includes Leominster High School students.

Fostering Change, Inc., which was founded with the mission to provide foster kids the resources to succeed and the experiences of being a kid, is one of the dozens of community and nonprofit organizations who will have a booth at the festival. They will be raffling off two $100 value scratch ticket bundles and will be giving away some free books at their spot right outside the Unitarian Church on West Street.

Other vendors and organizations include city police and fire, food trucks, Central Massachusetts Genealogical Society, Friends of Sholan Farms, In The Meadow Farm, Leominster Historical Society, Rotary Club of Leominster and Warmer Winters, to name just a few as well as a job fair hosted by Mass Hire North Central Workforce.

“Along with the largest vending court we have ever have, there will be a great parking lot party for all ages in the City Hall parking lot all day long,” Marchand said.

Wildwood Farm is hosting the second annual Fall Festival on Sept. 24 and 25 at their picturesque 117-acre multi-generational Westminster farm located at 50 Woods Rd. (COURTESY WILDWOOD FARM)

Wildwood Farm owner Gretchen Foster said they are “excited” to be hosting their second annual Fall Festival on Sept. 24-25 at their picturesque 117-acre multi-generational Westminster farm located at 50 Woods Rd. They will be showcasing over 30 local craft vendors, three local food trucks “with delicious offerings, some from our own beef,” she said, including Swell Oyster Co. joining them on Sunday and “several treat vendors.”

Their new outside bar will be serving up eight choices of seasonal ciders and draft beers on tap and visitors can enjoy hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, scarecrow decoration, and more. There will be live music by The Remedy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday followed The Boothill Express Band from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Sunday Jacqueline Burns will be performing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Darren Bessette taking the stage from 2 to 6 p.m. to wrap up the weekend. Tickets info can be found by visiting their Wildwood Farm LLC Facebook page.

“Our farm stand will be open with all your fall ornamental needs, pick your own pumpkins, and cider and apples also available,” Foster said, adding that last year was well attended and “insanely busy.”

“We look forward to showing off our new bar and welcoming everyone back to the farm,” she said. “We hope to see everyone out on the farm to welcome in the fall season.”

In other fall events news the 19th annual Blacksmith Art & Renaissance Festival will be taking place on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fitchburg’s Riverfront Park, Davis Mega Maze in Sterling is opening for the season on Oct. 1 with this year’s 8-acre cornfield maze theme “The Game of Life,” and Sholan Farms in Leominster is hosting a Scarecrows in the Orchard Harvest Festival on Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hollis Hills’ annual Fall Fest is taking place Oct. 8 through Oct. 10 at the Fitchburg farm, Wachusett Brewing Company in Westminster has a Fall Festival on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. and their AppleFest slated for Oct. 15 and 16, and Wachusett Mountain in Princeton has family friendly festivals most weekends through October that include the option to ride the SkyRide chairlift to peep spectacular fall foliage at its best.

Community Calendar: Week of Aug. 22

August 21, 2022 by pkzadmin

Monday, Aug. 22

Explore Nature Hike: 10 a.m.; Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner. Take a hike through the woods as you explore nature with guided walks, games, and activities. Each week will feature a different topic. 978-632-7897

Parachute Play: 10:30 a.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Enjoy this interactive and play-filled program featuring songs, rhymes, and activities with the library’s parachute; ages 2-4 and a parent/caregiver. To register, visit www.fitchburglibrary.org.

Rachel’s Book Club: 12:30 p.m.; Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Read and discuss “Finding Me” by Viola Davis. Pick up a book at the library or call 978-368-8923, Ext. 4.

Zoom – Job Search Help “How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search”: 2 p.m.; Hosted by Bigelow Free Public Library, Clinton. Learn how to use social media and the web for job hunting and building a personal brand. To register, visit www.bigelowlibrary.org.

SWAGLY-North: 4 p.m.; Leominster Public Library. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities, discuss queer issues, support each other, and have fun; snacks provided. 978-534-7522

Teen Video Game Hangout: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Relax and play video games, both team and individual, available for the Switch, XBOX 360, and WII console; ages 13-18. Light refreshments. www.fitchburglibrary.org

Meditation Virtual Meet-up: 7 p.m.; Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Call 712-775-7463 a couple minutes before the meeting and enter access code 123676# or by computer go to www.freeconferencecallhd.com/dialer and enter same phone number and access code. 978-534-7522

Tuesday, Aug. 23

Happy Campers Story Time: 10 a.m.; Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road. Happy campers welcomed to stories, songs, finger plays and poems; ages 2-5 (siblings welcome). To register, visit www.townsendlibrary.org.

Strega Mama Story Time: 10 a.m.; Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Enjoy this fun-filled experience, including lively readings, interactive games, laughter, sing a-longs and more; ages 3-7. No registration required. 978-534-7522

Story Time with Miss Jane: 10:30 a.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Songs, finger plays, movement, and movies to be held in the Garden Room. 978-829-1789

Zoom Story Time – Butterflies: 11 a.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Outdoor Story Time – Moose: 11 a.m.; Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Join Miss Tiffany for a morning of stories, rhymes and parachute fun; ages newborn-5. 978-827-4115

Zoom – The Energy Crisis of the 1970s: 2 p.m.; Hosted by Bigelow Free Public Library, Clinton. This program will examine President Jimmy Carter’s response to the energy crisis through the lens of primary sources of the Carter Library and National Archives. To register, visit www.bigelowlibrary.org.

Stitchcraft Knitting and Crochet Group: 3 p.m.; Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachusetts Ave. Need help with a pattern or looking to learn a new skill, stop by the group for help. 978-582-4140

LEGO Club: 3 p.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Crafternoon – Rock Painting: 3 p.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Visit the library to paint some rocks; ages 5-up. No registration necessary. www.fitchburglibrary.org

Library Laps: 5:30 p.m.; Central Park, Clinton. Meet in front of the Bigelow Free Public Library, 54 Walnut St., for a walking book club or just a relaxing walk around the park. www.bigelowlibrary.org

Acting Workshop: 6- 8 p.m.; Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Contact Mike Jablon at 978-697-1491.

Wednesday, Aug. 24

Lil’ Adventures Story Time: 10 a.m.; Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road. Join Miss Jessie as she takes you on a reading adventure, with singing, dancing, reading, movement, and bubbles; ages 2-up. To register, visit www.townsendlibrary.org.

Chair & Stand: 10:15 a.m.; Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. All welcome. 978-874-7416

Story Time: 10:30 a.m.; Hollis Hills Farm, 340 Marshall Farm Road, Fitchburg. Join Miss Molly for a fun and interactive story time; all ages. 978-829-1789

Playgroup: 11 a.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Zoom – Living with Wildlife in Massachusetts with Mass Audubon: 11 a.m.; Hosted by Bigelow Public Library, Clinton. Learn about commonly encountered wildlife such as deer, coyote, and raccoons, and their intersection with the wild and developed spaces we inhabit. To register, visit www.bigelowlibrary.org.

Knitting Club: 11 a.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Kids Crafternoon – Tie Dye: 4 p.m.; Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Wrap up summer with a little tie-dye fun. Bring a white shirt or pair of socks, the library staff will provide the colors. www.ashburnhamlibrary.org

Magic: The Gathering: 5:30 p.m.; Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road. Magic: The Gathering is a card game in which wizards cast spells, summon creatures, and exploit magic objects to defeat their opponents; ages 13-16. To register, visit www.townsendlibrary.org.

Live Music: 6 p.m.; Bigelow Free Public Library, 54 Walnut St., Clinton. Knock on Wood is back for some outside entertainment on the front lawn of the library. Bring dinner or snacks and your family. www.bigelowlibrary.org

Adult Book Club: 6 p.m.; Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Read and discuss “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” by James Hilton. 978-874-7416

Japanese Notan: 6:30 p.m.; Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Notan is an art form involving the use of black and white paper, positive and negative shapes, and the use of symmetry. To register, call 978-534-7522, Ext. 3.

Thursday, Aug. 25

Nature Walks for Adults: 10 a.m.; Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 13 Goodnow Road, Princeton. Discover the workings of nature on this gentle walk. To register, visit www.massaudubon.org.

Stretch, Strengthen & Balance: 10:15 a.m.; Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. All welcome. 978-874-7416

Outdoor Story Time – Moose: 11 a.m.; Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Join Miss Tiffany for a morning of stories, rhymes and parachute fun; ages newborn-5. 978-827-4115

Zoom – The Gilded World of Isabella Stewart Gardner: 11 a.m.; Hosted by Bigelow Free Public Library, Clinton. Explore the details of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s life, friends, travels, and collections. To register, visit www.bigelowlibrary.org.

Knitting: 12:30-3 p.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. All welcome. 978-345-5968

Go Green Market Bag crochet meet-up: 1 p.m.; Bigelow Free Public Library, 54 Walnut St., Clinton. This project is perfect for fall farmer’s markets (or carrying your library books home). To register, visit www.bigelowlibrary.org.

Kid Craft Day: 2 p.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Nature Journaling Meet-Up: 5 p.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Film Night for Grown-ups: 6:30-9 p.m.; Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. See the movie featuring “Belfast,” a movie straight from director Kenneth Branagh’s own experience. 978-534-7522

Adult Book Club: 7 p.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Friday, Aug. 26

Fitness Hike: 9:30 a.m.; Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner. Hike and use the exercise equipment along the hike; ages 16 and above. 978-632-7897

Kidleidoscope: 10 a.m.; Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner. Listen to a short story, followed by a light outdoor activity or a hike. Afterwards, enjoy a kid-friendly craft relating to the story; ages 3-6. 978-632-7897

Open Office Hours for State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne: 10 a.m.-Noon; Bigelow Free Public Library, 54 Walnut St., Clinton. State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne and her staff will offer office hours for constituents to meet and greet, address issues, and ask questions. www.bigelowlibrary.org

Story Time & Craft: 10 a.m.; Townsend Public Library, 12 Dudley Road. Enjoy a story then create a simple themed project to take home; ages 2-6. To register, visit www.townsendlibrary.org.

Teen Center Book Reviews: 2-5 p.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Visit the library and work on a book review. www.fitchburglibrary.org

COVID Vax Clinic: 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. The Fitchburg Board of Health will host a Pfizer vaccine and booster clinic; ages 5-up. 508-922-4138

Saturday, Aug. 27

Pannukakku Breakfast: 8-10 a.m.; Finnish Center at Saima Park, 67 Scott Road, Fitchburg. Enjoy Finnish oven pancake, bacon, sausage, fruit, juice, Finnish coffee bread, coffee/tea/cocoa; $10. Loaves of Finnish coffee bread and cinnamon rusk for sale, along with bee products and knitted items.

Super Senses Hike: 9:30 a.m.; Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner. Walk the Woodland Trail and explore your five senses and see how they relate to the animals that call the woods home; ages 4 and above. 978-632-7897

Saturday Craft Camp: 10 a.m.; Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive. Drop in the Makerspace for an easy craft; ages 6-12. www.ashburnhamlibrary.org

Animal August – Fan Favorites: 10:30 a.m.; Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Join Animal Adventures of Bolton for a presentation that includes fun facts, stories, and up-close encounters with live animals. To register, visit www.thayermemoriallibrary.org.

Collage Club Workshop: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main St. www.ashbylibrary.org

Mucking About: 3 p.m.; Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner. Explore the bugs, tadpoles, newts and other creatures that live at Dunn State Park; ages 6-up. 978-632-7897

Sunday, Aug. 28

Yoga at the Sanctuary: 10 a.m.; Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 13 Goodnow Road, Princeton. Breathe in the beauty of Wachusett Meadow in this all-levels outdoor yoga class. To register, visit www.massaudubon.org.

3-alarm fire sweeps through Fitchburg home

August 17, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — A three-alarm blaze tore through a single-family home on Highview Street late Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to the structure.

Fitchburg Deputy Fire Chief Anthony Marrama said no one was injured during the blaze, which is under investigation.

Firefighters were called to the home at 111 Highview St. for reports of a fire shortly after 11 a.m. Upon arrival, Marrama said firefighters discovered heavy flames coming from the corner of the house — in the basement area — and extending up to the structure’s roofline.

The occupants of the home safely escaped the fire prior to the arrival of firefighters.

According to Marrama, the bulk of the flames were knocked down within 45 minutes of the initial call, though crews remained on scene past 3 p.m. to conduct an extensive overhaul.

The damage done by the blaze impacted both the first and second floors of the home, as well as the roof. Marrama said the home “would require an extensive rehab.”

“It’s pretty significant damage to all levels of the home, given the head start that it had prior to our arrival,” he said.

The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross were called to the scene to provide assistance to the family who was displaced.

Mutual aid was provided on scene by firefighters from Leominster, Lunenburg, Westminster and Ashburnham. Firefighters from Leominster also provided station coverage, as did crews from Ayer and Gardner.

“It was a good job by all the crews on scene,” Marrama said. “The fire had quite a bit of a head start by the time we got there, but the guys and girls did an excellent job trying to get it knocked down and trying to get it under control.”

Overnight ramp and lane closures on Route 2 to last through Thursday

August 15, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — The state Department of Transportation will implement overnight ramp and lane closures on Route 2 eastbound from exit 92 and exit 95 through Thursday.

The closures started Sunday and will last from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. According to MassDOT, closures are needed to facilitate pavement milling along Route 2 and it’s on and off ramps.

The ramp closures and detours will be as follows:

Overnight on Monday, Aug. 15, the Route 2 eastbound exit 92 (Route 2A, Route 140) and exit 93 (Willard Road Village Inn Road) off ramps will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Traffic will be directed to continue along Route 2 eastbound, and use exit 94 (Narrows/Depot Road) to access Village Inn Road or Route 2 westbound back to exit 92. When the exit 92 on-ramp is closed, traffic will be directed to take Route 2 westbound and use exit 90A (West Main Street South Westminster), to reverse direction to access Route 2 eastbound.

Overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 17, the Route 2 eastbound exit 94 (Narrows/Depot Road) off-ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic will be directed to continue on Route 2 eastbound and use exit 95 (Route 31) in order to access Route 2 westbound back to exit 94. When the exit 94 on-ramp is closed, traffic will be directed to take Route 2 westbound and use exit 92 (Route 2A/Route 140), to reverse direction to access Route 2 eastbound.

Overnight on Thursday, Aug. 18, the Route 2 eastbound exit 95 (Route 31) off-ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic will be directed to continue on Route 2 eastbound and take exit 98 (Merriam Avenue) and follow the detour signs in place to reverse direction onto Route 2 westbound to access exit 95. When the exit 95 on-ramp to Route 2 eastbound is closed, traffic will be directed to use Route 2 westbound and take exit 94 (Narrows/ Depot Road) to reverse direction to access Route 2 eastbound.

For more information on traffic conditions, MassDOT encourages drivers to:

— Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.

— Visit www.mass511.com, a website that provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.

— Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.

— Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Transforming a transit authority: MART builds for the future

July 12, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Under new leadership, a transformation has begun at the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority.

Since it was founded in 1978, MART has capably served the communities of Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster and beyond. However, despite that dedicated service, certain areas of MART’s operation have required serious improvement for quite some time.

Fortunately, according to Assistant Administrator Scott Rich, improvement has come to MART en masse since the appointment of new Administrator Bruno Fisher.

“It’s almost been like a rebirth of the transit authority,” MART Assistant Administrator Scott Rich said. “We’re trying to serve the people of our communities today, rather than of yesteryear.”

“We’re building a transit authority for the future. We’re completely doing this place over, in terms of how we’re going to serve the public and how we’re going to get our message out. We’re going to let those that need our services know that we are here for them,” he said.

According to Rich, MART had stagnated in some of the operation’s essential areas. While the transit authority served its communities as best it could, there was a severe lack of growth in its rider base.

Rich said that lack of growth stemmed from MART’s lack of advertising and community outreach.

“We previously had an administrator that had been with MART almost since it began,” Rich said. “And consistent leadership is good, but I think it led us into some bad habits.”

“We just weren’t promoting ourselves the way we should have been,” he said.

Everything changed with the ascension of Fisher, who was appointed to the position by the MART Advisory Board last September. MART has since made a dedicated effort to market itself to the public through digital and physical means, increasing its presence in the advertising space and on social media while promoting services that Rich said were “vital” to MART’s communities.

“(Fisher’s) goal is to get us out and serve the community like we are and should be capable of,” Rich said. “As a transit authority, we have an obligation to do that, to help people get to where they need to go as quickly and safely and as best we can.”

While its advertising practices and online presence have been the primary focus, Fisher, Rich and those at MART have looked to improve the transit authority across the board.

A new, “modern” logo was designed and is expected to replace the current logo on most vehicles by the end of next year. A similarly modernized website has brought MART’s internet presence into the 21st century.

Rich stressed that the biggest improvement, arguably, has been the simplification of MART’s promotional materials to further emphasize the purpose of certain services and better communicate those purposes to the public. The primary example of those changes was MART’s Evening Ride Service, formerly known as the Job Access Reverse Commute program.

Through the ERS program, residents of Fitchburg, Gardner, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg and Westminster can schedule a ride Monday through Saturday to take them anywhere in their respective communities between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight for only $2.

Rich said the service’s previous name caused confusion with riders as to its purpose.

“With a name like that, it’s not hard to assume it can only be used to get someone home from work,” Rich said. “But, really, it can be used for any purpose, so we renamed it the ‘Evening Ride Service’ — and we just knew that the new name, in and of itself, was going to lead to a spike in users.”

“We’re almost like our own best-kept secret, or our own worst enemy. We can serve the public so much better, but we haven’t put ourselves out there enough, haven’t made it clear to people that these services are here for them and that they should be utilized,” he said.

The transit authority has also tried to increase the customization of its services so it can better adapt to the needs of each individual rider.

“It’s a modified way of how we’ve done business in the past — before, we used to have fixed routes, people would have to go to a certain place to grab a ride,” Rich said. “So we’re doing what we can to customize our services to best meet the public’s needs,” he said.

“We just need to get out there and let these communities know that we exist, that we’re here to serve them and we can customize our services to meet whatever needs they might have,” Rich said.

Going forward, Rich hoped to see further outreach by MART, both to its current rider base and in newer communities where the transit authority has yet to establish a presence. In return, Rich hoped to see greater feedback from MART’s rider base, so it could continue to improve.

“Give us feedback, we’d love that,” Rich said. “We have an obligation to listen to the public — and we want to do the best job that we possibly can to serve them, so that would be a great help.”

Given the country’s current economic state, Rich said the transit authority — and public transportation in general — was going to be more important than ever. With increased inflation, rising gas prices and a recession likely on the way, utilizing cheap and effective public transportation could become a necessity for many.

Rich stressed that a new-and-ever-improving MART would be ready to meet that increased need.

“(The United States) is a driving-based culture, but between the cost of gasoline and the significant inflation that we’re dealing with, it’s becoming prohibitive for a lot of people to get to work,” Rich said. “So we’re doing a lot of work to help those people, to get them to work and wherever else they need to be so they can continue leading their lives.”

“We’re, unfortunately, likely headed for a major recessionary period in the United States. People are going to need our services more than ever — and we’re going to be ready to deliver because of the changes we’re making right now,” he said.

Beginner’s watercolor class coming to the Westminster Community Center

July 10, 2022 by pkzadmin

WESTMINSTER — The Westminster Community Center, 69 W. Main St., is offering people a chance to learn how to paint with watercolors, at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 5.

Instructor Lucille Kumstis will lead a free class for beginners of all ages. The course will take place through the month of August but space is limited to 10 students.

To reserve a seat or learn more call 978-874-7402.