News from our members
No April Fooling! Winter is Not Over at Wachusett Mountain. Friday Forecast Calls for Another Major March Snowstorm
No April Fooling! Winter is Not Over at Wachusett Mountain. Friday Forecast Calls for Another Major March Snowstorm
12-20 Inches Could Fall Friday into Saturday! Wachusett to Extend Season!
PRINCETON, Ma. – Just when Wachusett Mountain skiers and snowboarders think the season may be ending, think again. Mother Nature is playing the ultimate April Fool’s prank this weekend with the prediction of a major late-season snowfall that could be the biggest of the entire winter.
The central Massachusetts ski area is still reaping the benefits from its expanded snowmaking system and 16 inches of snow in mid-March — snow cover on the trails is still edge to edge and base depths still range to more than 4 feet in the deepest sections. “We don’t want the season to end,” said Wachusett President Jeff Crowley. “After our huge investment during the off-season in snowmaking and these late boosts in natural snow, we can keep it going as long as weather permits and as long as folks want to ski and snowboard.” Wachusett was originally planning to end its season on Sunday, April 2 with its annual pond skimming competition and deck party but, with as much as 20 inches expected this weekend, is now looking to extend its season on weekends further into April.
The Ski Season Meets the Baseball Season!
The mountain has already made plans to be open again on Monday, April 3 to celebrate the new snow. In fact, since Monday also coincides with the Boston Red Sox home opener, Wachusett will offer skiing for only $5 to anyone who comes on Monday wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey.
“We’re proud to still be open for skiing on the first day of baseball season,” added Crowley. “If conditions allow, we will also reopen for the weekend of April 8-9 and will consider going further if possible. Our season rarely ends because of a lack of snow, it usually ends because people stop coming out – so we’re saying don’t stop!”
Wachusett has special late-season pricing in effect. For the best lift ticket deals and the latest updates on snow conditions and the operating schedule go to www.wachusett.com.
Fitchburg Historical Society Receives Massachusetts Cultural Council Planning Grant For Continued Development of Phoenix Building Headquarters
Fitchburg Historical Society Receives Massachusetts Cultural Council Planning Grant For Continued Development of Phoenix Building Headquarters
Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund Awards $24,250 for Historic Fitchburg Building
The Fitchburg Historical Society has been awarded a planning grant of $24,250 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund for the continued development of its Main Street headquarters, which are located in an historic H.M. Francis building that the Historical Society purchased and renovated over the last decade. The grant funding is a matching grant, and the Fitchburg Historical Society has received generous matching funds of $15,000 from the Douglas and Isabelle Crocker Foundation, $9,000 from the Rollstone Foundation, and $1,000 from Historic New England.
The funding will be used to create concept plans for the further development of the Phoenix Building for collections storage, program facilities and exhibition spaces. Since its grand opening in 2012, the Crocker Family Center for the Study of Fitchburg History has attracted a growing audience to Fitchburg’s downtown for historical exhibitions, educational talks, films and conferences presented by the Fitchburg Historical Society.
“Since we opened on Main Street four and a half years ago, we have been able to offer larger programs and marquee exhibitions that are attracting large new audiences to the Historical Society,” says Fitchburg Historical Society Past President William McSheehy. “We are proud to serve as one of Main Street’s most important institutions, enlivening the Upper Common area and attracting tourists and other visitors to Fitchburg.”
“This funding will set the stage for new building projects, in order to update our collections management and move part of our collections out of temporary storage into their permanent home,” adds Board President Jay Bry. “We are continuing the project that began with the acquisition of the Phoenix building itself: specifically the expansion of our audience and membership. We will continue to offer programs and exhibitions that draw a new audience to Fitchburg from all over New England.”
The Fitchburg Historical Society will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2017. Home to popular events like the annual Holiday House Tour and popular recent exhibitions like “Healing Hands: the History of Medicine in Fitchburg” and “Felix Leger: A World War II Soldier from Cleghorn,” the Historical Society is currently presenting an exhibition on the history of firefighters in Fitchburg.
“Institutions like the Fitchburg Historical Society are central to the quality of life in our community,” according to Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. “This investment in an important local cultural resource by the State of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Cultural Council creates tangible results in both economic activity and community vitality.”
The Cultural Facilities Fund was created to increase investments from both the public sector and the private sector to support the sound planning and development of cultural facilities in Massachusetts. It provides capital and planning grants to promote the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities in Massachusetts. All grants from the Fund must be matched with cash contributions from the private or public sector.
The funding agency is the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency supporting the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. The MCC pursues this mission through grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. The planning grant is being administered by
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, which works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2015, MassDevelopment financed or managed 294 projects generating investment of more than $2.5 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 6,100 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 2,000 residential units.
For more information on the Fitchburg Historical Society, its exhibitions, educational programs and research library, contact the Fitchburg Historical Society at 978.345.1157, e-mail at or visit http:www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org.
Anna Wilkins appointed to Executive Director
North County Land Trust is a regional non-profit conservation organization. For the past 25 years, the land trust has been preserving, protecting and promoting the farms, forests, and watersheds of North Central Massachusetts. Nature programs and events at the land trusts five open to the public conservation areas are free and open to the public, thanks to the generous support of donors.
To learn more about the land trust visit our website www.northcountylandtrust.org or follow us on Facebook https://business.facebook.com/northcountylandtrust for events and programs.
Fay Club Job Fair
Do you love fine dining? Are you a foodie? Do you love people and helping them to have a wonderful dining experience? Are you looking for employment in the food arts? Then dress smart and come by with your CV on Saturday, April 1 between 3-4 PM to meet with our Chef. We are looking for servers, line cooks and bartenders.
The Fay Club, originally The Park Club, was founded in 1881. Lucy Fay, whose father was George Flagg Fay, a prominent Fitchburg businessman, had donated their family home to the club after her father’s passing. Renowned architect, Richard M. Upjohn, designed the club’s gorgeous and detailed, historic architecture. The club is the premiere dining and social club in Central Massachusetts and Worcester County.
For more details about the club, visit TheFayClub.com
The Fay Club
658 Main Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Business hours are: Wed. – Thurs. 12-2, 5-9; Fri. 12-2, 5-9; Sat. 5-9:30
Massachusetts-Based Filmmaker Announces Cast for Upcoming Film, The Extraordinary World of Cecily Blinkstop
Playing the lead role of Cecily Blinkstop is eight-year-old Colbi Gannett of Waterboro, Maine. Colbi has been acting since she was four years old and is best known for her role in HBO’s Olive Kitteridge, alongside Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand. Her brother, six-year old Emmett Gannett, also from Waterboro, Maine, will play the role of Cecily’s younger brother, Barney. Six-year-old Molly McCarthy of South Easton, Mass., will make her film debut in the role of Amanda Jane, Cecily’s magical friend, and Patricia Fitzgerald, a 13-year-old actress from South Yarmouth, Mass., will play the role of Cecily’s older sister, Kim.
The adult roles include Ava Gaudet of Providence, R.I., will play the role of Helen Blinkstop, Cecily’s mother. Ava played the role of Maureen in both the National Tour and Broadway companies of RENT and had a memorable recurring role on the ABC series Ugly Betty as the scheming neighbor, Gina Gambarro. Other TV credits include NCIS, Private Practice, Franklin & Bash, The Exes, Mike & Molly, and Love Bites. Will Bouvier of Shirley, Mass., will play the role of Kevin Blinkstop, Cecily’s father. Will is best known for his role in Black Rock (Katie Aselton/Mark Duplass) and can be seen in Kathryn Bigelow’s upcoming film, Untitled Detroit Project, which is currently in post-production. Will also had lead roles in Potts’ previous two short films, Home and Charlie & Poppy
Find The Extraordinary World of Cecily Blinkstop at www.cecilyblinkstop.com, Facebook page: Cecilyblinkstop, and Twitter handle @cecilyblinkstop.
4/1: THE TRAVELING BOUTIQUE SPRING SHOPPING EVENT
Saturday, April 1st
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunrise Senior Living
6 Beth Avenue
Leominster, MA 01453
Featuring Alfred Dunner, Karen Hart, tops, slacks, scarves & jewelry!
Find something for yourself and a perfect gift for someone special!
Contact Lorrie Brodeur
978-537-7600
Leominster Credit Union Conducts Book Drive
Leominster Credit Union is joining with credit unions throughout Massachusetts to collect new and gently used books during the month of April in association with the Cooperative Credit Union Association Annual Book Drive. The books will be donated to local organizations providing an educational resource for many children. The books may be dropped off at any Leominster Credit Union Office by April 28, 2017. For more information contact Kathy Hurley at 978-466-7242 or .
Leominster Credit Union donates to My Choice Programs
“We are pleased to be able to assist an organization such as My Choice Programs,” commented John O’Brien, LCU President & CEO. “These vehicles provide much needed transportation for the residents. We’re glad we could assist with this request.”
My Choice Programs recently relocated to 1158 Main Street, Worcester. This new location provides enough space to start a hydroponic garden, which is anticipated to be up and running this fall. This “urban farm” will provide individuals with the skills to grow their own food, locally sourced and readily available. To learn more about My Choice Programs click here.
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
James Vander Hooven Takes Over as Third President of Mount Wachusett Community College
“MWCC has a long history serving as an integral part of the communities of North Central Massachusetts and responds to the region’s ever-evolving needs in order to best serve our students. We plan to build upon that history and create an equally bright and important future for this college at its Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster locations,” said President Vander Hooven. “We have an opportunity not only to educate, but to be a conduit for the personal transformation and growth of our students and the ongoing growth of our communities.”
President Vander Hooven has been on campus since February, which allowed for a transition period with Dr. Daniel M. Asquino who announced his retirement last year and served as president at MWCC for over 30 years. President Vander Hooven used this transition time to meet with students, faculty, staff and community members and said he looks forward to continuing the process.
“I have met faculty who strive every day to impart knowledge and support students as well as staff who work tirelessly towards everyone’s success in so many ways. During this time, I have also been able to meet some of our students who persevere in ways both large and small to better themselves through education and personal growth,” said Vander Hooven.
President Vander Hooven has been committed to access and opportunity to higher education since first stepping into a nontraditional classroom, as an instructor, where he was the youngest person in the group. At that point, he began focusing his energy and time on increasing opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds.
As the president of Tohono O’odham Community College in Tucson, Arizona, President Vander Hooven successfully raised more than $9 million for the construction of the college’s new main campus. He has also served as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, New Hampshire, and Regional Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at National American University in Denver, Colorado.
President Vander Hooven attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Ohio State University. He received his Master of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming. In 2009, he was awarded his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Maine, where he focused on student access. His dissertation was titled, “Lessons From Success: The Experience of Women Who Successfully Completed an Associate Degree While Parenting Children.”
He lives in Keene, New Hampshire.