The Fitchburg Historical Society will offer its Annual Holiday House Tours on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 11 am to 4 pm. This fundraiser will welcome visitors into twelve of Fitchburg’s architecturally significant buildings, beautifully decorated for the holidays. The Fitchburg Historical Society House Tour is a popular annual fundraiser that celebrates Fitchburg’s architectural heritage while helping to support the educational and preservation programs of the Fitchburg Historical Society, a 124-year old nonprofit that preserves Fitchburg’s historical treasures.

Some of the homes showcase architecture by Fitchburg’s best known Victorian architect, Henry M. Francis. They date from the years around 1900, and represent such popular architectural styles as Art Nouveau, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Victorian Eclecticism.  Many of the building interiors also include extraordinary architectural details, such as grand fireplaces, Arts and Crafts tiles, custom woodwork and stonework. For example, the Beck home features a magnificent stone staircase at its entrance, leading to an elegant wrap-around porch.

In addition to seven private residences, other participating venues include: St. Francis Church, the Boulder Art Gallery, Gerry’s Martel’s Classic Carriages, the Fitchburg Historical Society, and the Fay Club.  The Fay Club is a magnificent mansion designed by American architect Richard Upjohn (famous for the Trinity Church on Wall Street). It will serve as the “Tea Room” for the day, where House Tour participants can stop for tea, coffee and desserts.

Tickets for the December 3, 2016, House Tours are $20.00 each and can be purchased starting on Wednesday, November 2, at Shack’s Clothing, Mill #3, Elliot’s Jewelers, Homestead Primitives, Windmill Florist, the Mayor’s Office at 166 Boulder Drive, DeBonis & Davin Florist, Slattery’s Restaurant and at the Fitchburg Historical Society. Charles Sternaimolo (photographer), Anne Giancola (graphic artist) and to Miles Press (printers) created the posters, brochures, and tickets for the House Tours.

The Fitchburg Historical Society is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg in the historic Phoenix building. There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 978-345-1157, email , visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org o https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgHistoricalSociety.

 

Summit Academy, a private special education school, is celebrating 10 years of “moving mountains” for students with high functioning autism and related diagnoses.  Their anniversary gala, featuring Shonda Schilling, will be held on November 19 at 6:00 pm in the Congregation Beth Israel Hall; 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA. Funds raised will benefit Summit Academy by supporting therapeutic programs and technology initiatives.

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception where guests will have a chance to mingle and bid in the silent auction. The cocktail reception will be followed by dinner, live auction and an evening of dancing to the music of Clockwork– a Boston based band of “seven seriously talented performing artists together in one tight, spirited, and energetic group… You name it, they can play it!”

Guests will also have the pleasure to share in Shonda Schilling’s story.  Shonda Schilling is the author of “The Best Kind of Different”, a memoir about her son’s life with Asperger’s.

“The funds raised are vital in ensuring that our students continue to have access to the necessary tools, technologies and support for successful development of social skills, academics, self-control and self-esteem. We also recognize the need to expand our services to reach more children” Summit Academy’s Executive Director, Daniel DiMezza said.  “We are excited about sharing our journey, the touching stories and recognition of a remarkable, dedicated staff.”

Family, friends, business and community leaders, and professional colleagues are invited to support the program.  Together, we can continue to “Move Mountains”.

The ticket price for the party is $135.00, while sponsorship opportunities include a $10,000 Summit Sponsor, $7,500 Peak Sponsors, $5,000 Viewpoint Sponsors, $2,500 Sherpa Sponsors, $1,000 Mountaineer Sponsors and $500 for the Trailblazer Sponsor.

For ticket information, to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, please visit our website: www.summitacademyma.com or feel free to contact Amanda Panikian at 508-751-8500 or .

For more than ten years Summit Academy, has been providing unparalleled quality education for students. Summit Academy, a Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private School (maaps), nonprofit’s mission is to provide a therapeutic alternative school for students with high functioning autism and related diagnoses and to help students reach their greatest academic, social, and emotional potential, and to improve their overall quality of life.

CONTACT:  Amanda Panikian, Summit Academy, 508-751-8500   ,

www.summitacademyma.com

Calendar of Upcoming Events

“A Time Capsule Reappears” Exhibition Now through – Wednesday, November 9 2016

In 2016, a 1953 time capsule was removed from a building at HealthAlliance Hospital (previously the Burbank Hospital.) This small exhibition takes you back to the Fitchburg of 60 years ago, with a peak into the ways that health care has changed.

Free and open to the public.

Exhibition: Fitchburg Faces: Portraits and Stories from Fitchburg’s History. Now through – Feb. 28th, 2017

A new exhibition featuring portraits from the permanent collection of the Fitchburg Historical Society, and the stories of the Fitchburg residents they depict.

 Memory Café at the Fitchburg Historical Society. Wednesday, November 2, 1:30 p.m.

This social event is designed for those with Memory Issues or dementia, and their caregivers. We will enjoy films and photos of mid-20^ta century Fitchburg and share ideas and feelings. Sponsored by Life Care Centers of America The Highlands. Free Admission and limited space: advance registration required, call 978-345-1157.

“Alvah Crocker: Spirit Behind the Hoosac Tunnel,” talk by Cliff Schexnayder. Thursday, November 3, 5:15 p.m.

Fitchburg’s Alvah Crocker was one of the most successful and influential businessmen in New England during the 1800’s. He founded businesses in paper production, banking and railroads. As the railroad needed to expand west, the builders ran up against the heights of the Berkshire Mountains. Learn how Crocker led the construction of an engineering feat: the five-mile Hoosac tunnel. Cliff Schexnayder is a historian of engineering and construction, and the author of Builders of the Hoosac Tunnel, published in 2016 and supported with a fellowship from Smithsonian Institute Libraries.

Annual December House Tour:
Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The annual holiday tradition returns, with a self-guided tour of some of Fitchburg’s most interesting and historic residences, decorated to celebrate the joys of the season. Tickets: $20 per person, all proceeds benefit the programs of the Fitchburg Historical Society.

Tickets: $20 and are available in advance at Fitchburg Historical Society and Fitchburg City Hall.

Leominster Credit Union is holding two free homebuyers’ seminars in October.  The Fresh Start Mortgage Seminar will be held on Wednesday, October 19 and a First Time Homebuyers Seminar on Wednesday, October 26.  Both will be held at LCU headquarters, 18 Adams Street, Leominster from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

The Fresh Start Mortgage seminar will address the specific needs of prospective homebuyers who either have a lack of credit or have had past credit issues.  Experts in all areas of budgeting, credit, mortgage, and legal will be present to help attendees.  Participants will learn to create a budget, address their credit issues, and determine the steps needed for home ownership.  To register for this seminar visit http://bit.ly/FreshStartLCU

According to Matt Dufault, AVP of Mortgage Origination at LCU, “Situations such as a job loss, bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, or illness can ruin your credit and your ability to buy a home. These situations have become prevalent due to the economic conditions over the past several years.  We’ve seen a number of applicants who once had an excellent credit rating who have found themselves in the unfamiliar position of struggling to get approved for a mortgage loan because of an unusual circumstance or one-time event.”

Dufault also stated, “There was a time when a bankruptcy or other similar circumstance meant a person would not be able to obtain financing for several years.  LCU’s Fresh Start Mortgage Program was designed for people who are getting back on their feet following a negative financial event.”

The First Time Homebuyer’s seminar will have a team of real estate experts including a realtor, attorney and financing professionals present the program.  Topics will include ‘Are you ready to by a home?’ ‘Finding Your Dream Home,’ ‘Obtaining Financing,’ and the ‘Closing Process.’  Attendees will learn about the costs associated with homeownership, how your credit affects your options, making an offer and negotiating the price, the inspection process, and closing.  To register for this seminar visit http://bit.ly/FirstTimeHomebuyerFall

LCU has programs available for not only for first time home buyers, but any buyer who needs help getting mortgage-ready.  Borrowers may be able to qualify for a mortgage much sooner than expected.

Fundada en 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) es una cooperativa financiera sin fines de lucro, propiedad de sus socios, que ofrece una gama completa de servicios de depósito, crédito y otros servicios financieros. Con sede en Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU se enorgullece de contar con casi 50 000 socios y más de $600 millones en activos. LCU cuenta con siete sucursales en Leominster, Worcester (2), Clinton, Holden, Sterling y North Leominster, con servicios de cajero automático en todas ellas. LCU también ofrece servicios bancarios las 24 horas a través de sus aplicaciones móviles y en línea. Visite leominstercu.com o llame al 800-649-4646.