(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com Newsstand: 75 cents Friday, april 1, 2016

6 56525 10431 2

LOCALStudent takes the

reins at Community School

PAGE 3

SPORTSNHS does it like Jeeves

PAGE 8

WEEKLY QUOTE“The supreme happiness of

life is the conviction that we are loved.”

- Victor Hugo

BY JERRY CARTONCOURIER CORRESPONDENT

REGION — In an era where mental health services are often increasingly difficult to access and jobs sometime seem elusive, a situation which can lead to frustration and isolation, the Crystal House Clubhouse offers a place for adults to gingerly re-enter soci-ety at their own pace.

“We bridge people back into the community,” said director Tamela Deveikis, noting the Gardner-based organization serves simultaneously as a social club, health, education and employment advocacy site, skill-training center and

more.What makes Crystal House

unique is that members are deeply involved in the day-to-day running of the club, answering phones, plan-ning and preparing meals, up to 40 daily, and helping clean up afterwards, all the while following action plans designed to help them partic-ipate more fully outside the Clubhouse doors, including finding full or part-time jobs or attend school. Deveikis said through the years, there have been Winchendon businesses which have reached out to hire Crystal House alumni. In addi-tion, a Crystal House member

is interning with Rep. Jon Zlotnik, who opined, “Crystal House is a great organization. Tammy and everyone there do great work. They really care.”

Some 30 or more members show up every day -—atten-dance is voluntary though a three-day-per-week schedule is encouraged, and Deveikis said she’d like to be able to have more participants from Winchendon.

“We understand travel is an issue for some people, so we’re working on being able to pro-vide transportation which will enable more people to come,” she remarked.

BY GREG VINECOURIER CORRESPONDENT

WINCHENDON — After engaging in a nearly year-long relationship that could only be described as contentious, members of the Winchendon Historical Commission and representatives of Cumberland Farms last Wednesday found themselves in a passionate, mutually gratifying embrace; metaphorically speaking, of

course. It wasn’t a reconcili-ation since the relationship between the two had been lukewarm – if not downright frosty – from the very begin-ning. Still, the two parties were able to reach agreement on a plan of great importance to downtown Toy Town; a plan that provides a template for the economic and aesthetic future of Winchendon’s traditional

Historic Commission to Cumbys: absolutely

Turn To CUMBY’S page A9

BY JERRY CARTON AND MORGAN ST. PIERRECOURIER CORRESPONDENTS

WINCHENDON — When you’re 82 years old and you’ve loved photography for all those decades, you’ve seen a lot of equipment changes but what hasn’t changed is your passion and that’s what keeps Richard Johnson snapping away.

You’ve seen his work even if you might not have known it. Johnson took the pictures that graced the covers of the 2006 town report and 2008 local phone book and those were just a couple of his piec-es. There are many more, including a collage he showed the Courier pictures from Winchendon’s 200th celebration in 1964. Shots he took at the more recent 250th town-wide celebration in 2014 subse-quently hung for a month in the Carriage House restaurant. Other pictures were on display at the TD Bank next to Market Basket in Rindge, and he’s shown as well at the Legends Nursing Home in Gardner.

It all began with a Kodak Brownie camera (“that dates me,” laughed Johnson), a love for preserving sights on, yes, film, and a semester at the New York Institute of Photography back in the 1960s.

BY JERRY CARTONCOURIER CORRESPONDENT

REGION — Tucked away behind the campus of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner is a small neighborhood which 20 fam-ilies, including 17 children call home. This isn’t just any neighborhood though, it’s the hub of the Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center and according to Veteran Homestead Founder and CEO Leslie Lightfoot, it’s one of a kind.

“We opened here about six years ago,” said Lightfoot, a one-time Army medic, who founded Veterans Homestead in 1993 and in the two-plus decades since has seen the organization serve more than 3,600 veterans through six specific programs designed to serve multiple needs for wounded returning veterans.

“We saw some veterans were falling through the

cracks,” she recalled ,”and we wanted to plug whatev-er gaps we could,” hence the founding of Veterans Homestead.

Lightfoot credited retir-ing MWCC President Dan Asquino as being the driv-ing force behind the college’s donation of the land for the center and housing develop-ment.

“He’s a Navy guy, so he understood a lot about veter-an needs, and mostly, he just wanted to do the right thing,” said Lightfoot.

“We’re really apprecia-tive,” she added.

The Gardner neighbor-hood is available to vets who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and there’s a focus on various therapeutic programs, phys-ical, occupational, and emo-tional, with what Lightfoot called, “emphasizing not just individual, but family coun-

seling” as well.There are 20 condo units

on site, each with a couple bedrooms, as well as the ther-apy center, which includes counseling rooms, a kitch-en, a salt-water pool, a small gym (“the Wellness Center at the Mount lets our veter-ans be members for free, but we have our own room here too,” said Lightfoot), and even a barbecue area.

“When people graduate, we can celebrate with a barbe-cue,” laughed Lightfoot. “We can barbecue. We can do a lot. Our staff are all multi-task-ers. We pretty much have to be.”

There’s no limitation of how long veterans can live at NVTR but, cautions Lightfoot, “we do need to see they’re moving ahead with their lives. They might be in school, for example and we understand school might

BY GREG VINECOURIER CORRESPONDENT

WINCHENDON — Voters at the May town meeting will get to decide if the town should swap the property it owns at 89 Ash St., the former Marvin School, in exchange for “other land in addition to or in lieu of a cash payment.” The proposed article would give selectmen the authority to move ahead with such a deal.

While not specifically men-tioned in the article, support-ers hope to trade the Marvin School property in exchange for a 46-acre parcel off of Maple Street known as Ingleside. That property is owned by the Winchendon School. Before the

swap can be made, however, Winchendon voters must first approve of disposing of 89 Ash St.

During discussions at Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Keith Hickey said an appraiser had looked at both properties. The Marvin School, he said, was appraised at $400,000, while the Ingleside property was valued at $500,000.

Dave Romanowski, chair-man of the Winchendon Enhancement Committee, a subcommittee of the Toy Town Partnership, was quick to point out the land swap would not result in any cost to the tax-payers.

“We’re here tonight to request that the Board of Selectmen put an article on the May 2 annu-al town meeting warrant. This article would allow the resi-dents of Winchendon an up or down vote to, in effect, autho-rize the town to exchange the property located at 89 Ash St., known as the Marvin School, for the property owned by the Winchendon School on Ingleside Drive”

Hickey said he would need to reach out to officials at the Winchendon School “to make sure they have no issues with potentially trading one piece of property for another...even with a valuation benefit on the town side of things. I don’t

think we’ll have an issue with that but I just want to double check that moving forward.”

“We do need to do a formal, written RFP (request for pro-posal) to sell the property. Candidly, we can draft the RFP to be narrowly focused to accept a piece of property in lieu of cash, for the Marvin School. As this article is written, you can take cash, cash and land, or all land; it’s all up to the board. But there will have to be a competi-tive bid process.”

“I like the idea of being able to get a hold of this (Ingleside) property,” said BOS Chairman Mike Barbaro. “I think we can

use it for a lot of purposes. I’d like to see a public-private partnership where we can do something with the property that will get the town some tax relief. It can be used in multi-purpose ways. There’s lot of land there can be used for dif-ferent purposes. If you were to work with a developer maybe they could fund some of the projects you (the Enhancement Committee) would like to see up there. There are ways to do things that wouldn’t put the entire burden on the taxpayers

Turn To VETERANS page A11

Turn To CRYSTAL HOUSE page A8

Turn To BOS page A9

Turn To JOHNSON page A9

Ingleside deal going to town meeting

Morgan St. Pierre photo

R i c h a r d Johnson still a p p r e c i a t e s a good photo opportunity

Morgan St. Pierre photo

The housing units are for veterans and their families.

Veteran programs address therapeutic needs

At age 82 it’s still a snap

Mat Plamondon photo

DANCING WITH THE...MOUSECinderella (Rylie Stevens) daydreams about dancing at the

ball while dancing with her mouse friends during the Toy Town Elementary after school production last weekend.

Offering a safe haven and services to region

I may be an unapologetic liberal, but I honestly held out some hope (naively, as it turns out) that Republican Kelly Ayotte – a former tough-as-nails assistant state attorney general – might show flashes of independence following her election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. Yes, that was the year the tea party reared its ugly head, but Ayotte didn’t seem to be the kind of person who would allow her-self to become a tool for any party, party faction, or narrow ideology. She appeared sharp-minded enough to make decisions based more on the mer-its of the arguments presented than upon party orthodoxy and ideology.

Boy, was I wrong!It’s been disappointing enough to watch her tag

along with Sens. John McCain (AZ) and Lindsey Graham (SC) every time they seek the media spot-light to lambast Pres. Obama’s foreign policy. It became such a common occurrence that it finally reached a point where such media availabilities were almost ignored. Still, there was something impressive about seeing two long-serving, knowl-edgeable, highly-respected senators communicat-ing to the world that they considered Ayotte an equal. Eventually, however, Ayotte seemed mere-ly to be parroting the thoughts and words of the two elder statesmen.

Still, the biggest disappointment has come in recent weeks, as Ayotte has fallen in lock-step with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s announced, and oft repeated, intention to block any action on Pres. Obama’s nominee to replace late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia.

Senator Ayotte did say she would meet with the president’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. But what’s the point?

Why meet with Garland – why would the senator

waster her own time, Garland’s time, and the people’s time – if she ultimately agrees to allow McConnell to keep her on a leash? Why would she vet a nominee if she doesn’t think he deserves an up or down vote in the full Senate.

Could she honestly believe it will make her look less intracta-ble and unreasonable? How could

it possibly to her any good to follow up a meeting with a photo op, during which she explains to voters she likes the guy but won’t support moving ahead with his nomination?

It couldn’t. She’d ultimately end up looking completely partisan (which, in a purple state like New Hampshire, hurts more than it helps), while revealing herself to be more influenced by the voice of her party than by the voices of the people of New Hampshire.

While support for Donald Trump may indicate otherwise, voters are not stupid.

Kelly Ayotte finds herself in a tough re-elec-tion battle, facing sitting Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, who won re-election pretty comfortably two years ago. Most recent polls show the two women in a statistical dead heat. The well-respect-ed political publication “The Hill” calls Ayotte one of the ten most “endangered” Senators this campaign season.

She could become less endangered if she urged Majority Leader McConnell to meet with Garland, which he refuses to do (the hillbilly from Kentucky actually called Garland and said, for all intents an purposes, “Ah ain’t meetin’ wit ya.”). An even bigger step, calling in no uncertain terms for McConnell to encourage Judiciary Committee hearings and, ultimately, a Senate vote, could – I believe – benefit Ayotte even more.

How better to show Granite State voters she is not a willing hostage of partisan intransigence, of ideological insanity? How better to vividly illus-trate she actually can think for herself, a quality she’s failed to display since taking office.

Maybe I’m crazy (don’t say it!), but I will, until all hope is lost, hang on to the tiniest sliver of hope – minute as it may be – that Sen. Ayotte will do the right thing,

I’m hoping that a life dedicated to justice, com-mitted to the law, and inspired by the simple brilliance of the U.S. Constitution will ultimately lead her to recognize (as I believe she already does, quite frankly) that the sinking of Garland’s nomi-nation would be wrong.

To do otherwise would only confirm Kelly Ayotte is a party hack, a willing partisan tool, who cares more about her status within the G.O.P. than she does about damaging a judicial confir-mation process that has worked for nearly 230 years. If she meekly allows McConnell to get away with the canard that “the people should decide,” Ayotte gives every partisan demigod from this day forward license to employ any excuse to ignore the Constitutional principle of advise and con-sent. The Constitution does not say, after all, that Supreme Court vacancies shall be filled, except in the last year of a president’s term.

To follow McConnell’s strategy in silence might have been politically wise in the old New Hampshire of Meldrim Thompson, Bob Smith (OMG...Bob Smith!), and William Loeb, but it’s not so wise in the new New Hampshire of Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, or ____________?

Winchendon courier 2

President & PublisherFrank G. Chilinski

508-909-4101frank@stonebridgepress.com

Chief finanCial OffiCerron Tremblay 508-909-4102

rtremblay@stonebridgepress.com

OPeratiOn direCtOrJames DiniCola 508-764-4325

jdinicola@stonebridgepress.com

Managing editOraDam minor

508-909-4130aminor@stonebridgepress.com

advertising ManagerJean ashTon

508-909-4104jashton@stonebridgepress.com

PrOduCtiOn ManagerJulie Clarke

julie@villagernewspapers.com

The WinChenDon Courier

neWs staff direCtOrY editOr ruTh DeamiCis (978) 297-0050 x 100ruth@stonebridgepress.com tO subsCribe, Or fOr subsCriPtiOn serviCes:kerri PeTerson

508-909-4103kjohnston@stonebridgepress.com

tO PlaCe a business ad:

ruTh DeamiCis (978) 297-0050 x 100ruth@stonebridgepress.com

tO faX the COurier:Call (978) 297-2177

tO Print an ObituarY:email: ruth@stonebridgepress.com44 CenTral sTreeT

tO subMit a letter tO the editOr:email: ruth@stonebridgepress.com44 CenTral sTreeT

tO sOund Off:Call (978) 297-0050 x 100email ruth@stonebridgepress.com

tO subMit Calendar iteMs:email: ruth@stonebridgepress.com 44 CenTral sTreeT

hOW tO use:A Stonebridge PreSS PublicAtion

The Winchendon Courier (USPS 685-920) is published weekly for $45 per year (in county) by Stonebridge Press, 25 Elm St. St., Southbridge, MA 01550 Out of county rate is $56 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Winchendon. To subscribe call (800) 367-9898. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Winchendon Courier, 44 Central St., Winchendon, MA 01475.

sTonebriDGe Press PhoTo PoliCyAs a community oriented family of newspapers, Stonebridge Press welcomes photos from readers, business owners, and other outside sources for publication in any of its titles. Any photos submitted for publication become the property of Stonebridge Press, and may be displayed in our newspapers, as well as on our Web site. They may also be made available for resale, with any proceeds going to Stonebridge Press and/or the photo re-print vendor.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Real Estate Brokerage & Consulting

Earning the public’s Trustone consumer at a time

for over 30 Years

www.morinrealestate.com978-297-0961

Where’s the beef? Right here

BY APRIL GOODWINCOURIER CORRESPONDENT

WINCHENDON — The Hawg Haulers put on their 19th annual Easter Social at the American Legion Post 193. Folks gath-ered to spend quality time with friends in hopes of winning some quality meats for their Easter dinner. Hams, beef, poultry, and even lobsters were up for grabs, in addition to a chance to win gift basket or large lobster raffles. To make things even more enticing, there was a hot bean dinner participants were welcomed to enjoy with their drinks.

Hawg Haulers vice president Mike Keresey explained that they use the money raised from events such as this to help support the local Little League, veterans, and many other good causes. With this in mind, people can feel good about their contribution to the event and, in turn, the community.

The drawing for a special raffle in memory of Ricky Paul also took place that evening. The winner received $100 gift card to American Harley Davidson, $25 gift certificate to the Lucky Dragon restau-rant, and a popcorn machine. All the money collected from this raffle will be donated to the Murdock Boosters in Ricky’s memory.

As with every social they host, the Hawg Haulers Easter Social was a fun evening for a good cause. Everyone was satisfied with hot food, cold drinks, and many delicious prizes for the upcoming Easter dinner.

Mat Plamondon photos

Kim Williams is pretty excited about her prize beef roast.

Those attending were anxiously trying to get the attention of a ticket sellers. The popular event often sells out before the people can get completely around the room.

Learning the ropes of getting into college

GARDNER — Nearly 200 area high school juniors were welcomed to Mount Wachusett Community College’s annual Juniors Symposium this week to gain insight into applying to colleges and universities, seeking financial aid and schol-arships, and related topics to help them succeed.

Over 90 juniors from Fitchburg, Athol, Murdock and Gardner high schools attended the half-day symposium on March 15, while another 90 students from Fitchburg, Leominster and Sizer Charter high schools participated on March 17.

Pep rallies, led by MWCC Dean of Students Jason Zelesky and Stephanie Marchetti, student support specialist/academic counselor, served to inspire stu-dents with positive, relevant messages about the importance of education and pursuing one’s dreams. The students also attended a series of workshops.

“It was a great day,” said Gardner High School student Manny Panameno, who enjoyed the workshops on ways to improve SAT scores, preparing for college and scholarships. After graduating from high school, he plans to study engineering.

The annual event is offered through MWCC’s Division of Access and Transition, which serves approximately 4,000 middle and high school students in the region.

Courtesy photo

Juniors from Murdock Middle/High School recently participated in Mount Wachusett Community College’s annual juniors symposium.

kiTTy kornerPlease meet DeckerDecker is a very sweet guy who

has lots of love to give. He has survived being hit by a car with a broken pelvis an dislocated hip. He has recovered nicely from the surgery and is walking bet-ter everyday, along with running around with other shelter cats.

Decker has been examined by a veterinarian, tested for FeLV/FIV, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

If you would like to meet him A Better Tomorrow Shelter, 202 Central St. is open Wednesday 6-8 p.m., Saturday noon-3 p.m., and by appointment. For an adoption application, please visit www.shelterforcats.org. For information or to make an appointment call (774) 641-1271.

The cowardice of Kelly Ayotte

GREGVINE

VieW From This Corner

FITCHBURG — Monty Tech SkillsUSA students brought home 47 medals from the organization’s dis-trict-level competition held recently in Charlton. Six district-level competi-tions are held throughout the state to determine which students will be mov-ing on the state-level event.

Students qualify to participate on the district level by winning medals at local competitions held earlier in the year at their high schools.

Of the 47 medals Monty Tech cap-tured recently, 12 were gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze. Again this year, Monty Tech students captured all three medals in the medical assisting and early child-hood education categories.

Grace Kirrane of Fitchburg qualified to run as a state officer candidate.

Unlike other Skills competitions, where students compete in a variety of hands-on skills and leadership events, the district conference consists of a written SkillsUSA employment skills exam, a written trade knowledge test and a safety test as a tiebreaker.

Results are as follows:3D animation technology: (gold medal)

Jonathon Carlson and Thomas Parker, both from Fitchburg; (bronze medal) Andrew Afonso from Hubbardston and Tyler Belliveau from Ashburnham. Advertising design: (gold medal) Emily Celona, Fitchburg; (silver medal) James Engberg, Athol. Auto refinishing tech-nology: (bronze medal) Cody Wheeler, Westminster. Auto service technology: (bronze medal) George Keith, Gardner. Basic health care: (bronze medal) Ayla

Dinda, Fitchburg. CNC milling: (gold medal) Sam Fluet, Fitchburg. Computer programming: (bronze medal) Ian Cullen, Princeton. Cosmetology over 500 hours: (bronze medal) Marina Good, Princeton. Dental assisting: (gold medal) Kristyn Gordon, Fitchburg and (sil-ver medal) Julia Pfeifle, Winchendon. Digital camera production: (bronze medal) Sophia Ciampaglia, Fitchburg and Jared Moore, Hubbardston. Early childhood education: (gold medal) Leah Wallace, Gardner; (silver medal) Yesenia Rodriguez-Villafane, Fitchburg and (bronze medal) Kanessa Raymond, Athol. Information technology ser-vice: (gold medal) Matthew Taylor, Templeton; (silver medal) Damian Oakes, Gardner. Internetworking: (silver medal) Adrien Brodeur-Edwards, Fitchburg. Masonry: (bronze medal) Emily Semenza, Winchendon. Mechatronics: (silver medal) Riaen Ayers, Gardner and Leon Gaulin, Winchendon; (bronze medal) Dominic Funa, Athol and Devan Kumar, Gardner. Medical assisting: (gold medal) Taylor Sadowski, Fitchburg; (silver medal) Andrew LeBlanc, Athol; (bronze medal) Gladynel Rodriguez-Villafane, Fitchburg. Medical termi-nology: (silver medal) Alberto Ortega, Westminster. Medical math: (bronze medal) Sashealy Rivera, Fitchburg. Mobile robotics: (gold medal) Michael

LeBlanc, Winchendon and Nicholas Petkewich, Westminster; (bronze medal) Aiden Helie, Winchendon and Brendan Pinard, Ashburnham. Nursing assistant: (bronze medal) Kayla Gerry, Athol. Power equipment technology: (bronze medal) Shawn Barry, Barre. Screen printing: (silver medal) Jake Lutter, Lunenburg. Urban search & rescue: (silver medal) Paige Girouard, Templeton and Eduardo Velez, Fitchburg. Web design: (gold medal) Derek Bates, Royalston and Cameron Truehart, Athol. T e m a w o r k s : (silver medal) Nicholas Couture, Phillipston (elec-trical), Sean-Paul Tomer, Leominster (car-pentry), Nathan Kay, Athol (masonry), and Brian Gallant, T e m p l e t o n (plumbing).

Winchendon courier 3 Friday, April 1, 2016

REMINDER TO RESIDENTS:

Property owners with swimming pools must fill their pools by May 1. The filling of pools is prohibited between May 1 and Sept. 1. Anyone wishing to fill a pool during those dates must obtain a Pool Adjustment Form from the Winchendon Dept. of Public Works, Town Hall, Monday-Thursday, from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. A form must be obtained before fill-ing can begin. An odd-even water ban also is in effect. Residents with even numbered addresses may water lawns and gardens on even num-bered days, those with odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days.

FSU presents Euripides Greek tragedy

Student takes the reins at Community School

FITCHBURG — The ancient Greek tragedy Medea will be performed this April as the spring production of the communications media and industrial technology departments at Fitchburg State University. The play will be pre-sented at the Wallace Center for the Performing Arts in the McKay Complex, 67 Rindge Road from Thursday, April 7 to Saturday, April 16. Admission is free and open to the public.

The play by Euripides was first per-formed more than 2,000 years ago at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens. It is the tale of a scorned woman and her evolu-tion as an individual, through obstacles such as abandonment, banishment and conflicts with maternal instincts. The period-accurate performance is direct-ed by FSU Professor Kelly Morgan.

Medea, drugged by the potion from Eros’ bow — at the order of the Greek goddess Aphrodite — is under a spell that forces her to do the unthinkable: fall in love with the adventurer Jason; betray her father, the King of Colchis; steal the famed Golden Fleece; and kill her brother while fleeing her country. Along the long and dangerous journey back to Greece, she uses her sorcery skills to defeat Jason’s enemies, defend-ing him, his crew and their famed ship Argo from dangerous creatures.

Medea gives birth to Jason’s two sons. Upon arriving in the Greek land of Corinth, Jason is hailed a hero, but she is never fully accepted or appreciated by the Greek people. The spell now faded, she must accept her fate and seek a simple life with her children and Jason. Years pass and Jason, now

middle-aged, no longer seeks glory on the seas with his crew; instead, he seeks the crown of the King of Corinth Kreon, who holds Jason in great favor, having no son of his own and only a daughter, Kreusa. The king wishes Jason to leave his marriage with Medea and marry his daughter, having new sons to continue his family line.

Upon being told this, Medea goes into a deep grieving rage, disparaging and threatening Jason, Kreon, and his daughter. This is where the play begins.

“You may not side with her in the end,” Morgan said, “but ask yourself, what would you have done, a woman, a mother, under the same circumstances during this period of time.”

Performances will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7 and Thursday, April 14; and 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, Saturday, April 9, Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16; and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, Sunday, April 10, and Saturday, April 16.

BY TRACY GAMBILLCOURIER CORRESPONDENT

ROYALSTON — Principal Mason Mello greeted stu-dents as they came in from the rain on a recent morn-ing at Royalston Community School. Mello, sharply dressed in all black with a striped tie, smiled and shared high fives with chil-dren spanning from kinder-garten through grade six.

A dance party ensued as everyone made their way to classrooms to the beat of Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger. Stuffed animal friends were invited for the day and a variety accompanied many young scholars.

Mello is nine years old and in the fourth grade at RCS. He lives in Royalston and enjoys reading, karate, and “doing random things.” He won the privilege of being principal for the day in a raffle held at the Chet Hall

Memorial Pancake Breakfast in March.

“I wanted to make school a little fun for the kids,” beamed Mello. “It’s the first time the school has ever done it and I’m the first kid to do it!”

It was a busy day as Principal Mello visited class-

rooms with messages such as “Work hard and have a good day.”

He sent a memo to staff congratulating them on the great work they have done preparing older students for MCAS and readying younger children for the challenges ahead. Mello conferred with

a police officer, granted extra recess, and carried out other duties. Even lunchtime was busy with a board (game) meeting in the conference room. His favorite part of the day was reading to the kindergarten class.

‘Assistant’ Principal Molly Superchi was pleased with Mello’s performance.

“Principal Mello arrived early and was well-prepared. He brought the school spirit to a higher level on a rainy day.”

She was impressed with his efficiency and added, “He did a nice job giving feed-back to teachers, handling problems as they arose, and he made sure we had fun and the children were on task.”

Mello offered advice to other students who may get the same opportunity, “Do what your mind tells you, follow the rules, and do what you say you’re going to do.”

Mat Plamondon photo

The cast of “Medea,” being performed in April at Fitchburg State, from left, front row: Brittany Messuri, Katie Williams, Rose Thomas, Samantha Wheatley, Riley Grinkis, Maia Morgan; back row, Dinia Clairveaux, Hadley Crane, Jaelani Henderson (center), Angela Renzi, Shelby Kolick.

Tracy Gambill photo

Royalston Community School Principal Molly Superchi assists Principal for the Day Mason Mello, age 9.

Monty Tech students shine at SkillsUSA district competition

The Wayfarer’s Journey is available at Amazon.com

It’s been a long journeyWINCHENDON — When Marge Floria

was younger, she said she had a habit of writing her thoughts down in pieces, fragments of sentences.

“I didn’t know they were poems,” she laughed.

In a telephone interview from her home in San Francisco, Floria said her habit continued, through high school, through college, raising her daughter. Her observations, her journal of sorts began just as short pieces of information to remind herself of events and scenar-ios.

Reading through the plain verse, her new book The Wayfarer’s Journey, has short comments on everything from September 11, the attack on Paris, and violence in cities to the peace she has found in her own life and surroundings.

“Sometimes it feels like I just have to write something down because it feels right,” she said.

So the small book, available on Amazon.com either as an e-book or a paperback and through the publisher Balboa Press, has been quietly making an impact on people she knows...and on people she doesn’t.

“My publisher said it has been selling through poetry sites. It has been doing well,” she said.

Floria grew up in Winchendon, grad-uating from Murdock High School and then attending the University of New Hampshire. She has worked in the finan-cial world for decades, but finds writing poetry is her creative outlet.

“It deals with my heartaches, deaths, my own pain and physical problems. It’s about where I was, where I’ve been and where I am now; that’s why it is a jour-ney,” she explained.

TOUGH BACON!

CHECK OUT THE SPORTS ACTION!

Winchendon courier 4 Friday, April 1, 2016

Pesky critters: a little private warWe have close friends in

Connecticut who have a lovely house. They have strung a wire between two trees that placed a bird feeder right in front of the kitchen window. I always love watching the birds when I am there.

So I decided a number of years ago to duplicate this at home. I bought two bird feed-ers and placed one at the kitch-en window and a second one at another prime location.

Problem one: the birds that use my feeder are ugly. They are not colorful or interest-ing. For years I tried to figure this out. I asked my friend in Connecticut. She referred me to some very expensive bird feed.

I bought some.Who knew?Birds are class conscious,

too. The pretty ones eat the

expensive food. The ugly ones take whatever they can get.

I decided to learn to love ugly birds.

But the real problem is squirrels. You see, squirrels love bird seed. They steal the feed from the bird feeders. The poor birds just sit on limbs of the closest tree and watch the squirrel bandits empty the feeders.

This thievery makes me very angry. I went online and found that for hundreds of dollars I could buy bird feeders that prevent squirrels from getting to the seeds. I admit I love to watch birds, but I have other things I would rather spend money on.

So I decided to tackle the problem on my own.

I am currently at war with two squirrels.

One is a very large grey

squirrel who eats the seeds out-side the kitchen window. The other is a small red squirrel who prefers to eat the seed at the other window.

I spent days watching their operation. At the kitchen win-dow, a Direct TV wire running up the side of the house per-mits the grey squirrel to climb the wire, hop on the base of the bird feeder, and devour all the seed.

In the beginning, when I appeared at the window, the grey squirrel would jump down and run away. It took a while until he realized that my being on the other side of the glass was no threat to him. In fact, he would load up his mouth, look right at me, and savor the seed. Sometimes there was a suggestion of a slight smile on his face.

But I had a plan.

The only way the squirrel could get to the seed was to sit on the plate holding the feeder. I waited for a really cold day, went out and poured water into the plate, assuming the squir-rel would attempt to eat and slide off the dish because the water had iced over.

Who knew the dishes have holes to allow rain water not to remain?

Squirrel one. Blair zero.I did have a Plan B. I went

out and put vaseline on the

wire the squirrel was using to get to the feeder dish. Who knew? Squirrels like vaseline almost as much as bird seed. So the grey squirrel was now getting an appetizer before the main course.

Squirrel two. Blair zero.In our garage, I keep my bird

seed in a plastic can with a lid that snaps on. When I went to the garage to get some more seed, the squirrels had chewed a hole through the plastic, and the can was empty.

Squirrels three. Blair zero.As I write, I am trying to

come up with a Plan C. I have cut myself some slack because Spring is here, and the birds have other ways to find food. I am pretty sure my readers, one or two of them, have encoun-tered this problem. Any sug-gestions would be welcome.

The right choice, my pickThese are unsettling, even scary

times, more frightening than the Cold War era because back then, the nucle-ar arsenals of the United States and Soviet Union combined to create a con-cept which came to known as MAD — Mutual Assured Destruction. Both countries had the capability to flatten the other, as well as any other place on Earth, and though it’s widely believed we might have teetered on the brink during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the understanding that both of us had such awesome power essentially guar-anteed that power would not be used.

Today the threat is different. The enemy is less any single nation-state than it is an ideology, one taken from somewhere back in the Dark Ages. The alienated extremists, many of which seem to be directionless young men, who support the brutal and intolerant philosophies of ISIS and al Queda and other such terror organizations have no conscience and are more than willing to sacrifice themselves as long as they can kill as many others as possible, pref-erably in public, civilian settings. No one can be sure where the next hit will occur, but what we can be sure of is, a) it will happen,and b) demonizing millions of peaceful Muslims because it has and will is no way for a supposedly great, tolerant, inclusive country to behave.

We are better than that. Or at least we should be.

It is against this backdrop maybe the strangest presidential election ever is being played out. To be sure, there are critical domestic issues of income inequality, systemic racism, decaying infrastructure, nominees to the federal judiciary beyond the Supreme Court and others which will face the next President. While national security is obviously paramount, these very much need to be included in the campaign conversation as well, assuming there’s ever going to be a real conversation, the likelihood of which at the moment looks rather dim.

That aside, and while acknowledg-ing the new President is almost cer-tain to be frequently stymied legisla-tively because of the intransigence of the hard-line members of the so-called “Freedom Caucus” in the House, that hardly means they’ll be a mere specta-tor. Presidents have enormous power of course, and also have the largest mega-phone in the world. That matters. A lot, and in foreign policy they have plenty of room to maneuver.

None of the remaining Republican candidates should be President. John Kasich is moderate only in comparison to his rivals. Donald Trump has in fact tapped into a legitimate set of grievanc-

es but he’s obviously not the guy you want trying to solve the problems. You might have noticed the temperament thing. Maybe part of that is an act, but even if it is, it’s unbecoming and serves to incite people. Beyond that, the Donald is woefully and willfully ignorant about policy. Ted Cruz talks a great deal about religious liberty but in truth he’s a threat to liberty period. Cruz’ ideology is from some dark place unrepresentative of a free society.

Bernie Sanders’ candidacy has been a good thing for the Democratic party and the country because he’s articulated the frustrations felt by a lot of progressives on economic issues. As with the angry Trump voters, the Sanders supporters have every reason to feel disenfran-chised, but his remedies are, as was so well put but not, alas, by me, “unencum-bered by the restraints of reality.”

There’s a lot to understandably be concerned about when it comes to Hillary Clinton but many of them might be at least in part a result of her weak-ness as a candidate. She doesn’t share Bill’s natural schmoozy ease with vot-ers and her efforts at casualness look painfully forced. On policy, a lot of lib-erals are wary of her ties to Wall Street, perceived hawkishness, and penchant for secrecy. Count me in that group.

However, Clinton is by far the most

qualified candidate. She understands the notion of free public college is a utopian pipe-dream. When it comes to reforming the Affordable Care Act, her experiences with health care issues as long as a quarter-century ago provides her with a road-map of how not to do things. Bank reform? Clinton is sure to be more measured than Sanders, grasping the concept that change is evolutionary and you’re not going to accomplish anything substantive mere-ly by throwing rhetorical bombs.

Above all, when it comes to national security issues, Clinton’s hand at the helm would be more steady, realistic, pragmatic, and yes, tougher than any of the others. That’s the bottom line. I never thought I’d be writing some-thing like this. People who’ve known or worked with me decades ago can vouch for it — I was one of those who swore I’d never vote for her, and didn’t in the primary eight years ago, but in this tur-bulent year, while she may not be the perfect choice Hillary Clinton is none-theless the right choice for President. What say you?

VIEWSOpinion and commentary from Winchendon and beyond

Editorial lEttErs to thE Editor

Let’s put a face on it

WinchEndon couriErPresident/Publisher: Frank Chilinski

editor: ruth deamiCis

To the Editor:I write to congratulate Greg Vine on

his column last week about politics. I thought he would be writing about “rumors” in town, which is what was stated originally, but this is a second column on politics. I would encourage him to do a weekly column on tracking down rumors, because they are random in our town, and write his political views in a second column

Now Vine proclaims that he is a liber-al. As a matter of fact, so is your colum-nist Jerry Carton.

I admire them both. I consider myself a moderate but both Greg and Jerry probably think of me as a conserva-tive. Together, the three of us present a range of important views to the readers.

The purpose of this letter is to con-gratulate Vine on his column last week and to say that I agree with him com-pletely that the President should pres-ent a Supreme Court nominee, which he has done, and that the Senate Judiciary Committee should hold hearings.

I like everything I have read about the nominee. But I also understand pol-

itics. The GOP controls the Senate and they are not going to confirm a moder-ate to replace the court’s most conser-vative Justice. But the nominee should be heard. Hearings should be held, even though we all know they are not going to confirm a moderate for the Scalia seat, especially one nominated by the current president.

If Obama was really on his game, he would have called in Hillary Clinton and asked her to assist him with this in promising Obama she would nominate the same Judge if she were the presi-dent next. That would have provided a dignified and honorable man a measure of assurance. Why would the presiding judge of the second most important court in the US accept this nomination knowing there might not be hearings and that if there were he would not be confirmed? I believe only with the assurances I have suggested above.

So I join with Greg Vine in calling on the GOP to hold hearings.

JaCk blairWinChendon

Blair: Vine’s views

Owen: it took long enoughTo the Editor:Your edition of March 11 brought

back unpleasant memories. I refer to the article about Beals Library having a project to make the library more handi-capped accessible.

About 20 (yup, 20) years ago, my mother remarked to me as I visited her in Winchendon, that she wasn’t able to visit the library any more. With bad legs, poor heart and over all health conditions, she wasn’t able to climb the steps or walk uphill on the walk way anymore.

As I left her home, I visited the library and chatted with the desk clerk. No supervisor was on duty. I pointed out that the library was NOT in compliance with the Federal disabilities laws; and I asked what was being done to correct the problem.

I was told there had been talks about

it; and they would get back to us.The next time I visited my mom, she

said the head librarian had called her and the problem was being looked into. However, if my mother wanted any books from the library, she had only to get to the front of the building some one could bring out any books she wanted.

Wow. Whoopie. I told my mom I would call the Federal government and file a complaint for her.

She pleaded with me not to do that, as a lifelong resident of Winchendon she did not want to cause any problems. So I did not.

So, it’s been at least 20 years; and 40 since the law as passed.

Now I know why I moved away from Winchendon.

randell oWenGreenville, nh

Elsewhere in the letters today there is a rant about how long it took to get com-pliance for the Beals Memorial Library project. From someone who doesn’t any longer live here. So we thought we might give a bit of a history lesson.

In the 1970s (yes, the 40 years ago first designated) some plans were examined to see of the building could be brought into compliance with the new ADA laws. At that time, it looked pretty dis-mal; and just how to do it didn’t seem feasible. There was some talk about scrapping the beautiful old building and building new, on one story. That met with some pretty stiff opposition from those who loved the building. So the whole scheme was dropped, and in fact, there was some legislation allow-ing older buildings some leeway under-standing some could probably have dif-ficulties making it work.

In the ‘80s there was another effort, quite similar to the present plan, with a new entrance and an elevator. But it was deemed too expensive and voters put it down.

Again, near the end of the ‘90s once again a plan was put in place, this one quite ambitious, and there was some outside funding by the state, by some grants and some private funding. It almost made it, passing at town meet-ing but getting defeated at the referen-dum vote.

About 2005 a scaled back version was again brought out, and again there was an attempt made using nearly all funds outside the realm of local tax-payer input. But one of the sources of funding, a state agency, insisted the town had to put in some of the funding themselves in good faith. The plan was waylaid until very recently, when once again, nearly the same plan again came before voters. This entire scenario was again explained, and the ADA compli-ance again explained. This needed to be done.

We couldn’t be ostriches forever.And yes, the library staff did deliver

books to people, went out of their way to help knowing we were in the wrong in our compliance issues but until taxpay-

ers agreed to pay for things, it wasn’t changing.

So, thank you Winchendon taxpayers for this; the awarding of the contract is under scrutiny as we put out this issue of the Courier and it will really happen soon. New entrance, new walkway, ele-vators, ADA complaint restrooms, and then some attractive rehab to the interi-or too so the patrons can better use the entire facility.

It has indeed been many years in coming. And many people have waited for this, waited too long.

This we can congratulate ourselves for; a job accomplished.

On another note entirely, this week there was a citizen’s petition for an arti-cle on the town meeting warrant circu-lating around town and was turned into the town manager’s office Thursday afternoon. Worded simply, it asks vot-ers to vote yes or no: do you support the acquisition of the Ingleside property by the town of Winchendon?

This will be the first time the general public has had a chance to say wheth-er they actually want the property off Maple Avenue to be owned by the town.

There are pros and cons to it of course. And once the land belongs to the

town, it will be the selectmen who will make the decisions concerning the property.

Some of it might be sold again to a developer, and put back on the tax rolls.

That part of it intended to be for recre-ational use might, in fact, lay fallow for a long, long time if there are no funds to develop it into anything usable.

And there will be costs associated with the town’s ownership, do we want to keep it mowed? What about policing it? Insurance?

(As we were writing this, someone was driving “donuts” on it and destroy-ing a soccer field, we heard it on the police scanner).

On another hand, it is a place to have a snow farm in the winter if we get inundated.

See, pros and cons. But this is at least a one shot chance

to voice an opinion.

JACK BLAIR

notEs of concErn

JERRY CARTON

JournEy of thE hEart

Winchendon courier 5 Friday, April 1, 2016

DCF reforms moving aheadBOSTON — The Baker-Polito

Administration and union offi-cials announced a significant number of the reforms recom-mended last fall to overhaul the Department of Children and Families are complete. In the last six months, there has been an intensive effort underway to restructure DCF with the primary goal of keeping chil-dren safe. The administration was joined by members of SEIU Local 509 to discuss updates and pledge to move forward to implement policy improve-ments, hire and train staff, and focus on the challenges that lie ahead.

The department now has five major new policies developed in partnership with the union, including putting all at-risk kids on the same investigation track, and the first ever medical direc-tor who started in January. Both criminal offender record Information and sexual offend-er record information checks are now required on all rele-vant persons in a household, DCF workers review 911 call history and response to a home, new case screening teams are in place in all offices and there is a new central Massachusetts regional office up and running.

There has also been target-ed outreach to recruit and hire frontline staff, with a record of new hires resulting in a net increase of 170 full-time employ-ees since the start of FY 2016. The foster care application backlog has been reduced, training has been rolled out and DCF’s IT system has been upgraded to allow for more advanced capa-bilities.

During a media availability at the State House, the adminis-tration explained these reforms and highlighted the ongoing collaboration and partnership with leadership of SEIU Local 509 that has made such progress

possible in a short amount of time.

“Last fall we pledged, with union leadership, to better sup-port our social workers who are on the front lines every day and reform a broken system of policies,” said Governor Baker. “Today, while we still have more work to do to improve how the Commonwealth cares for the most vulnera-ble children, the Department of Children and Families is making robust strides in their mission to keep kids safe. My administration will continue to invest in frontline workers and continue to reform this critical department.”

To demonstrate an ongo-ing commitment to the department, the Baker-Polito Administration has budgeted $938.2 million to DCF for FY 2017, a $30.5 million increase above the FY 2016 budget, and has maintained an open dia-logue with the union to address their concerns.

“While these new reforms improve the lines of communi-cation among social workers, supervisors and managers, reducing the stress on social workers is a priority and we are accelerating efforts to recruit the next wave of social work-ers to reduce caseloads and pro-tect children,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “We now have a solid foundation that the department can build off of going forward.”

The Department and union have moved swiftly to hire and train more social workers, social work supervisors, med-ical social workers, managers, clerical staff and attorneys. Since September, 332 positions have been posted and 201 staff have started or will start in the next few weeks.

“We are appreciative of the

positive working relationships we have maintained with union officials throughout this pro-cess. Most of all, we are grate-ful to our workers for their efforts to accept and move for-ward with reforms,” said DCF Commissioner Linda Spears. “Our agency is more equipped than we have ever been to pro-tect those who need us most – children. I thank our staff today and every day for your tremen-dous work.”

“The policy reforms announced today are more than three decades in the making, and critical to the work we do,” said Peter MacKinnon, a veter-an child protection worker and president of the union chapter representing DCF’s 2,900 social workers and investigators. “Now our attention must turn fully to addressing the caseload crisis and attrition rates that loom over our efforts to keep at-risk children safe throughout the Commonwealth.”

Progress over the last six months for DCF in partnership with SEIU Local 509:

• Overhauled the depart-ment’s intake policy, putting all screened-in reports of abuse and neglect (51A) on one inves-tigation track instead of two.

o Requires CORI, SORI, and national criminal history data-base checks for parents, care-givers and all household mem-bers over 15 years old. This is for 100 percent of cases.

o Workers now request 911 call history and police response to the residence of any child or family involved in a report of abuse or neglect. The Department is now working with law enforcement.

o All screened-in reports – those that require investiga-tions to be opened – are assigned to an investigation trained response worker.

o The revised policy puts

decision-making at the appro-priate level of intervention.

o For the first time, this poli-cy enables response workers to search online sources of infor-mation to assess child safety.

o Mandates use of the depart-ment’s risk assessment tool to better identify and assess poten-tial future risks to the child’s safety.

• Created the first supervisor policy in DCF history to pro-vide training, supervision and review of all complex cases.

• Trained over 1,700 staff and implemented the department’s new protective intake and supervision policies.

• Negotiated three additional policies that will be implement-ed later this year: The family assessment and action planning policy reinforcing the require-ment for family assessment and action planning which will be updated every six months; in-home case practice policy to ensure regular visits to the child; and the case closing pol-icy, which lays out the process and criteria for closing a case. Training for the newest poli-cies is in development and will begin in late spring and early summer.

Staff Recruitment and Retention:

• Increased the number of licensed social workers to 91% compared to 54% in October 2014.

• With SEIU Local 509, con-vened a work group to develop social worker retention strate-gies, which has been meeting regularly.

• Since the start of the FY

2016, the department has had a NET increase of 170 full time employees.

• 332 positions have been posted for social workers, social work supervisors, medical social workers, managers, cler-ical staff and attorneys.

Other Completed Reforms:• In January, DCF rees-

tablished the central Massachusetts regional office, allowing for greater oversight and managerial capacity. This moved the department closer to a manager-to-supervisor ratio of 4:1.

• Reduced 75 percent of back-log for foster home applications. The department will be work-ing to increase the number of foster homes.

• Closed 680 fair hearing cases in the months of December, January and February with the support of two newly hired hearing officers and nine newly hired paralegals.

• Hired the department’s first ever full-time medical director, Dr. Linda Sagor, to provide oversight of the medical needs of children in foster care; to ensure DCF meets its require-ments for 7- and 30-day initial medical screens; and to offer expert consultation on medical-ly complex cases.

• Planned IT modifications to incorporate new policies into the FamilyNet System.

• Launched a significant technology upgrade to support changes in the new supervision policy and protective intake policy that include the ability to track substance misuse in families.

For advertising information call us

at 978-297-0050

Delivering quality heating oil at the most competitive price and simplifying the customer experience.

300 High Street, Winchendon, MA 01473 (800) 359-4802 • info@oppureoil.com

CURRENT PRICE OF OIL

$1.499

(978) 297-4456OFFICE LOCATED AT

1335 ALGER STREET, WINCHENDON

3 CHECK OUR LOW PRICES3 50 GALLON DELIVERIES AVAILABLE3 AUTOMATIC OR CALL-INS 3 COMPETITIVE RATES

HI-LO OIL, INC.

“Keeping You Warm Since 1989.”

Eastern Propane600 School St.Winchendon, MAPhone: 978-297-0529 1-800-522-2000www.eastern.com

Hi-Lo Oil, Inc.1335 Alger Street Winchendon, MA (978) 297-4456

Oppure Oil189 N. Common RdWestminster, MA (800)359-4802

Your Guide To Local Fuel Dealers.

CLYDE’S CORNERFRIDAY, MARCH 25KIDS PROGRAMS: Beals Memorial Library has two programs for younger children on Fridays.

Toddler Time for kids age three & younger at 9:45; preschool story hour for ages 3-5 at 10:30. We request people sign up 24 hours in advance only to ensure enough materials are available. Free. For more infor-mation call (978) 297-0300 or visit winchendonlibrary.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT: a benefit for the Team Orange MS team planning to walk for the Boston

MS walk in April is scheduled beginning at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Post 193, 295 School St. Music by Whiskey Johnson, raffles and more. Admission is $5. Come support the Team!

MONDAY, MARCH 28YOGA: yoga classes are held at Beals Memorial Library beginning at 6 p.m. For more information call

(978) 297-0300 or visit winchendonlibrary.org.WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30COMPUTER CLASS: a free class concerning online computing is held every Wednesday night begin-

ning at 5:30 p.m. at Beals Memorial Library. For more information call the library at (978) 297-0300 or visit winchendonlibrary.org.

BINGO! Hyde Park residents hold bingo in the community hall every Wednesday night beginning at 6 p.m. It’s inexpensive, just two cards for 5¢, and the community is invited! Anyone over the age of 50 is welcome to join in. We’d love to have more players.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5YANKEE DOODLE CIRCUS: two performances at Murdock High School gym, 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Toy Town Elementary PTO. Advance tickets adults $14.75 includes two free tickets for children. At the event, adults $16 and kids up to 18 years old, $6.

PU

ZZ

LE S

OLU

TIO

N

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

1. Matter 5. Puzzled 11. Well wish 14. Frightened 15. Home of the Cowboys 18. Between the jejunum and the cecum 19. Founded the Union Colony 21. Read-only memory 23. Sorcerers 24. Female parents 28. Unexpected obstacle 29. Of I 30. Used to have (Scottish) 32. Patti Hearst’s captors 33. Rock TV channel

35. Revolutions per minute 36. Exclamation: yuck! 39. Be afraid of 41. Arizona 42. Red liqueur __ gin 44. More discourteous 46. Type of chef 47. Mother (Brit.) 49. Untidy in character 52. Inhibitions 56. Pains 58. Politician 60. Unofficial fighter 62. Type of Mustang 63. Branch of Islam

1. Satisfaction 2. Astragals 3. Egg-shaped 4. Nothing more than specified 5. Measures speed of wind 6. In the middle of 7. Actinium 8. The Master of Shadows 9. Dutch cheese 10. Valley 12. A river between China and Russia 13. Masses of matter 16. They live along Gulf of Guinea 17. George __, actor 20. Latvia’s largest city 22. One thousandth of an ampere 25. Millihenry 26. Swiss river 27. Individually

29. Magnetomotive force (abbr.) 31. Without armies (abbr.) 34. Portuguese municipality 36. Old Marxist-Leninist state 37. Malicious satisfaction 38. Actress Julianne 40. Rural delivery 43. Bar or preclude 45. Unit of measurement 48. Peninsula in Greece 50. Bird genus 51. Releases gonadotropin 53. Racquets 54. Southwestern state 55. Town in Benin 57. Car mechanics group 58. Brother or sister 59. Woollen rug 61. Milliliter

Have you ever thought about growing your own fruits and vegetables at home? For expe-rienced gardeners, the cold months are when their imagi-nations get fired up; seed cat-alogs seem to blow in with the arctic blast, accompanied by companion mailings from gar-dening accessories and equip-ment retailers. But where can amateurs start?

To maintain a garden as a legitimate financial alterna-tive to store-bought food, it’s important to understand the

underlying costs involved. Some gardeners spend sub-stantial bucks on fancy tools, equipment, gardening clothes, deluxe fertilizers or supplies, which sounds counter-intui-tive to a money-saving alterna-tive. Investing in home garden-ing requires frugal spending and a desire to learn – very few people wipe out their entire produce bill without a little preparation, knowledge and most important, trial and error.

There are plenty of studies

(http://www.garden.org/) on how much people are invest-ing in home- and communi-ty-based gardens, but very few reliable guidelines on how much money you can actually save by gardening. That’s because it’s tough to generalize results based on geography, climate and skill sets.

Nevertheless, if you still want to get your hands dirty, here are some general steps to take before you dig in:

Harvest as much local gar-

dening knowledge as you can. The word “local” is very important. Planning a home-based edible garden in a sunny West Coast backyard is very different than planting a series of clay pots on a Midwestern

terrace. Start with a close look at your climate and growing conditions before buying anything.

Plant only what you’ll eat. If you want a salad gar-den, stick to lettuce that can be planted and harvested repeatedly in one season. Maybe you’ll also want to plant a tomato plant or two. If you generally buy a lot of a particular vegetable, try and grow that first. The more you want to eat the food you’re planting, the more interest you’ll take in making it a success.

Keep your first effort as inexpensive as possible. Generally, the cheapest way to grow plants is from seed you start growing indoors. Some people have special lights and shelv-ing for indoor seed start-ing, but if you’re planning on only a few plants, it’s

best to start modestly. Consult experts about the most effec-tive and frugal way to start your desired plants from seed at home and set a grow-ing schedule that culminates in actual planting outdoor. Sometimes it’s better to stick with a few borrowed or garage sale hand tools and recycled

containers that will work just fine for seeding and drainage.

Keep learning as you go. When you start gardening, even if it’s only a pot or two where you’re growing from seed, start an annual garden journal that details what you’ve purchased (with prices), what’s worked well and all questions and answers you’ve gathered along the way. You might even discover new plants you’d like to grow next year. Re-reading your journal before you start your gardening planning in winter is a great way to shape your growing and cooking pri-orities for the coming year.

Bottom line: Homegrown food usually tastes better for two reasons – it’s fresher than anything you can buy and you have the pride of growing it yourself. However, making an economical home garden takes know-how, knowledge and as minimal initial investment as possible.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Winchendon courier 6 Friday, April 1, 2016

Winchendon Police DepartmentEditor’s Note: The information con-

tained in this police log was obtained through public documents kept by the police department, and is considered to be the account of the police. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

MONDAY, MARCH 211:10 a.m.: suspicious person (Summer

Street) spoken to; 1:24-3:07 a.m.; build-ing checks, secure; 5:14 a.m.: accident (Forristall Road) assisted; 5:33 a.m.: dis-abled MV (Forristall Road) assisted; 5:54 a.m.: accident (Spring Street) assisted; 5:54 a.m.: accident (Lakeview Drive) assisted; 7 a.m.: DPW call (School Street) referred; 8:47 a.m.: ambulance (Cross Road) transport; 10:40 a.m.: summons service (Whitney Street) served; 11:41 a.m.: ambulance (Central Street) trans-port; 12:10 p.m.: assist citizen (Happy Hollow Road) assisted; 1:30 p.m.: sus-picious person (Lincoln Avenue) spo-ken to; 2:30 p.m.: officer wanted (Maple Street) refer to court; 2:45 p.m.: general info (Baldwinville Road) info taken; 2:47 p.m.: larceny (Converse Drive) report taken; 3:16 p.m.: trespassing (Lincoln Avenue Extension) report taken; 3:19 p.m.: officer wanted (Main Street) info taken; 4:20 p.m.: harassment (Brown Street) spoken to; 4:23 p.m.: harassment (Ipswich Drive) spoken to; 5:52 p.m.: lar-ceny (Northern Heights Drive) report taken; 6 p.m.: open door (Spruce Street) info given; 6:08 p.m.: extra patrols (Lincoln Avenue Extension) secure; 6:32 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Mill Glen Road) spoken to; 7:28 p.m.: ambulance (Central Street) transport; 8:23 p.m.: open door (Mechanic Street) secure; 8:33 p.m.: animal complaint (Metcalf Street) spoken to.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2212:23 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street)

verbal warning; 12:47 a.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road) traffic cita-tion; 1:10 a.m.: investigation (River Street) spoken to; 6:36 a.m.: MV stop (Maple Street) verbal warning; 6:53 a.m.: ambulance (Brown Street) transport; 7 a.m.: assist citizen (Alger Street) refer to other PD; 7:15 a.m.: traffic hazard (Gardner Road) area search negative; 8 a.m.: accident (Eagle Road) report taken; 8:29 a.m.: ambulance (Memorial Drive) transport; 9:39 a.m.: keep the peace (Cardinal Lane) assisted; 9:58 a.m.: summons service (Central Street) services rendered; 10:02 a.m.: summons service (Webster Street) served; 10:08 a.m.: summons service (Pleasant Street) served; 11:08 a.m.: suicide threats (Old County Road)removed to hospital and summons: James A. Lemmer, age 44 of 27 Old County Road, Winchendon: possess firearm without FID, possess ammunition without FID and intim-idate witness; 12:35 p.m.: ambulance (Pleasant Street) transport; 1:19 p.m.: accident (Central Street) report taken; 1:21 p.m.: ambulance (Front Street) transport; 2:53 p.m.: investigation (Old County Road) info taken; 3:15 p.m.: dog bite (Central Street) refer to ACO; 3:22 p.m.: ambulance (Hospital Drive) trans-port; 3:23 p.m.: burglar alarm (Central Street) call canceled; 3:34 p.m.: ambu-lance (Front Street) transport; 4:01 p.m.:

animal complaint (Alger Street) refer to ACO; 4:27 p.m.: suspicious person (Church Street) spoken to; 4:38 p.m.: harassment (Cardinal Lane) spoken to; 4:43 p.m.: 911 call non-emergency (Pleasant Street) assisted; 5:51 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville Road) verbal warning; 8:45 p.m.: MV operating errat-ically (Spring Street) unable to locate; 9:03 p.m.: child welfare check (address not printed) checked, secure; 9:15 p.m.: suspicious MV (Glenallan Street) sum-mons: Austin Cadorette, age 21 of 35 Hancock Road, Bennington NH: unreg-istered MV and attaching a registration plate; 9:23 p.m.: ambulance (East River Street, Orange) refer to other agency; 9:43 p.m.: missing person (Royalston Road North) spoken to; 10:45 p.m.: van-dalism (Franklin Street) report taken; 11:48 p.m.: ambulance (Pleasant Street) services rendered.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2312:55 a.m.: investigation (Ash Street)

services rendered; 3:13 a.m.: transport (River Street); 6:38 a.m.: general info (Gardner Road) info taken; 7:51 a.m.: assist other agency (Spring Circle) area search negative; 8:08 a.m.: DPW call (Spring Circle) referred; 8:30 a.m.: MV stop (River Street) verbal warning; 8:53 a.m.: burglar alarm (Spring Street) false alarm; 9:27 a.m.: assist other PD (South Road) assisted; 9:58 a.m.: investigation (Central Street) info taken; 10:18 a.m.: investigation (Central Street) report taken; 11:45 a.m.: general info (Central Street) info taken; 11:54 a.m.: investi-gation (West Street) unable to locate; 12 p.m.: disturbance, fight (Memorial Drive) report taken; 12:01 p.m.: investi-gation (Spring Street) spoken to; 12:07 p.m.: investigation (Cross Street) spo-ken to; 12:07 p.m.: 911 call non-emer-gency (Central Street) false alarm; 12:11 p.m.: VIN inspection (Western Avenue) assisted; 12:36 p.m.: MV stop (River Street) verbal warning; 1:31 p.m.: inves-tigation (West Street) report taken; 2:03 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) verbal warning; 2:49 p.m.: vandalism (Juniper Street) spoken to; 4:01 p.m.: investi-gation (Maple Street) spoken to; 4:49 p.m.: officer wanted (Central Street) spoken to; 4:52 p.m.: animal complaint (Front Street) services rendered; 5:01 p.m.: investigation (Juniper Street) spo-ken to; 5:18 p.m.: harassment (Central Street) spoken to; 5:45 p.m.: officer wanted (Maple Street) spoken to; 9:03 p.m.: ambulance (Willoughby Avenue) transport; 11:22 p.m.: ambulance (Mill Street) transport.

THURSDAY, MARCH 241:59-3:28 a.m.: building checks, secure;

3:18 a.m.: ambulance (Central Street) transport; 5:58 a.m.: MV stop (Glenallan Street) verbal warning; 7:45 a.m.: ambu-lance (Bridge Street, Baldwinville) transport; 8:26 a.m.: ambulance (Town Farm Road) transport; 9:59 p.m.: ambu-lance (Mill Street) services rendered; 10:15 a.m.: registration check (Maple Street) spoken to; 11:09 a.m.: accident (Memorial Drive) report taken; 12:08 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) verbal warning; 12:09 p.m.: ambulance (Ready Drive) transport; 12:39 p.m.: property damage (Central Street) report taken; 3:26 p.m.: ambulance (Mill Street) ser-vices rendered; 3:33 p.m.: extra patrols (Bike path) secure; 3:38 p.m.: assist other PD (Gardner Road) assisted; 4:14 p.m.: MV stop (School Street) written warning; 4:38 p.m.: MV operating errat-ically (School Street) unable to locate; 4:41 p.m.: animal complaint (Glenallan Street) refer to ACO; 6:36 p.m.: investi-gation (Juniper Street) unable to locate; 9:50 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) verbal warning; 11:54 p.m.: suspicious other (Jackson Avenue) no cause for complaint.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2512:12-4:01 a.m.: building checks,

secure; 5:14 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) written warning; 5:21 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) traffic citation; 5:40 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) traf-fic citation; 6:34 a.m.: accident (Water Street) report taken; 9:21 a.m.: ambu-lance (West Shore Drive) transport; 10:44 a.m.: summons service (Cross Street) services rendered; 10:55 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) spoken to; 11:11 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) spoken to; 11:44 a.m.: MV stop (Central Street) spoken to; 11:57 a.m.: assist citizen (walk in) spoken to; 12:02 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) summons: Whitney M. Gardner, age 27 of 10 Holtshire St., Orange: operating MV with license suspended; 12:04 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Memorial Drive) spoken to; 1:25 p.m.: assist citizen (Happy Hollow Road) assisted; 1:52 p.m.: investigation (Ash Street) report taken; 2:10 p.m.: animal complaint (Woodlawn Street) refer to ACO; 2:40 p.m.: abandoned 911 call (Washington Avenue) child playing with phone; 2:48 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) verbal warning; 3:25 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street) verbal warning; 3:52 p.m.: fire unknown type (Mason Street) spoken to; 5:15 p.m.: animal complaint (Pond Street) info given; 5:21 p.m.: MV stop (Lincoln Avenue) verbal warning; 5:34 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) traf-fic citation; 5:39 p.m.: general juvenile (Central Street) dispersed gathering;

5:50 p.m.: ambulance (Brown Street) transport; 6:52 p.m.: MV stop (School Street) traffic citation; 7:04 p.m.: gun-shots heard (Elmwood Road) spoken to; 7:24 p.m.: MV stop (Glenallan Street) verbal warning; 7:55 p.m.: ambulance (Morse Avenue) transport; 8:25 p.m.: assist citizen (River Street) assisted; 8:43 p.m.: MV stop (Glenallan Street) verbal warning; 9:02 p.m.: animal complaint (Beachview Drive) gone on arrival; 9:18 p.m.: registration check (Glenallan Street) no PD service required; 9:31 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) verbal warn-ing; 9:37 p.m.: officer wanted (Juniper Street) gone on arrival; 9:44 p.m.: reg-istration check (Summer Drive) no PD service required; 10:13 p.m.: investiga-tion (Spring Street) report taken.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2612:12 a.m.: suspicious MV (Alger

Street) gone on arrival; 1:48 a.m.: bur-glar alarm (Spring Street) report taken; 2:47 a.m.: deliver message (Ash Street) no PD service required; 3:41 a.m.: sus-picious person (Front Street) spoken to; 3:41-3:57 a.m.: building checks, secure; 8:37 a.m.: sex offender registra-tion (Brooks Road) assisted; 9:07 a.m.: sex offender registration (Joslin Road) assisted; 9:08 a.m.: investigation (Spring Street) spoken to; 9:30 a.m.: assist citi-zen (Happy Hollow Road) assisted; 10:32 a.m.: animal complaint (Spring Street) refer to ACO; 10:36 a.m.: assist other PD (Juniper Street) message delivered; 11:34 a.m.: investigation (Spring Street) spoken to; 12:32 p.m.: FD call (Poland Avenue) spoken to; 2:34 p.m.: FD call (Mill Street) assisted; 3:14 p.m.: assist other agency (Krantz Road) assisted; 4:37 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Alger Street) advised officer; 6:40 p.m.: registration check (Spring Street) no PD service required; 6:52 p.m.: ambu-lance (Toy Town Lane) transport; 7:20 p.m.: investigation (Spring Street) no PD service required; 8:11 p.m.: ambu-lance (Pond Street) transport; 8:37 p.m.: noise complaint (Alger Street) spoken to; 8:41 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) traffic citation.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2712:50-3:19 a.m.: building checks, secure;

10 a.m.: assist citizen (Maple Street) spoken to; 10 a.m.: fire alarm (Hyde Park Drive) services rendered; 10:38 a.m.: assist citizen (Spring Street) spo-ken to; 10:42 a.m.: ambulance (Webster Street) transport; 1:50 p.m.: assist citi-zen (Happy Hollow Road) assisted; 2:14 p.m.: FD call (Winter Street) spoken to; 2:34 p.m.: gunshots heard (Franklin Street) area search negative; 3:59 p.m.: gunshots heard (Mill Glen Pond North Road) spoken to; 4:53 p.m.: ambulance (bike path parking lot) transport; 4:56 p.m.: accident (Glenallan Street) report taken; 5:46 p.m.: burglar alarm (Central Street) secure; 6:03 p.m.: officer wanted (Teel Road) assisted; 6:42 p.m.: lift assist (Alger Street) assisted; 7:58 p.m.: gener-al info (School Street) info taken; 9:37 p.m.: MV stop (Forristall Road) spoken to; 11:46 p.m.: building check, secure; 11:54 p.m.: suicide threats (Otter River Road) removed to hospital.

Police log

IN COUNTYq 26 WEEKS - $22.50q 52 WEEKS - $45.00q 104 WEEKS - $76.00

OUT OF COUNTYq 26 WEEKS - $30.00q 52 WEEKS - $56.00q 104 WEEKS - $90.00

SENIOR RATESq 26 WEEKS - $19.50q 52 WEEKS - $38.50q 104 WEEKS - $62.50

Name ______________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

City________________________________State___________Zip ______________

Phone ( ) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ q Check/Money Order Enclosed ________________________________________

o VISA# ___________________________________________________________

o M/C # _____________________________________________________

o DISCOVER ________________________________________________

Expiration Date _______________________________________________

Signature ____________________________________________________

For More Information Call 1-800-367-9898 ext. 139 Circulation Department • P.O. Box 90 • Southbridge, MA 01550

PEOPLE ARE LINING UP for

DON’T MISS IT - SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET 4 WEEKS FREE!!• Current Complete Local News • Community Events• Local Classifieds and Merchant Advertising • and Lots More!

Break in under investigationWINCHENDON — On Saturday, March 26 at 1:48 a.m. local police respond-

ed to the Silver Hawk store at 672 Spring St. as its alarm was triggered.Arriving, officers discovered a break in had occurred.The perpetrators had accessed the building by making a hole in the roof,

and exited by smashing through the front door.A large amount of Native American jewelry and related items had been

stolen.Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lt. Kevin Wolski at (978)

297-5424.

Growing summer savings in the garden

NATHANIEL SILLIN

Practical Money SkillS

TheHeartOfMassachusetts.com

Winchendon courier 7 Friday, April 1, 2016

SEND OBITUARIES at no charge to Editor Ruth DeAmicis, by faxing (978) 297-2177, or by e-mailing the editor at ruth@stonebridgepress.com. We also invite funeral directors and families to e-mail us a JPEG photograph to print, at no cost, alongside the obituary.

OBITUARIES

Syilva J. Cloutier

Nov. 14, 1925 - Mar. 30, 2009

His heart was gentle, though his hands were soiled.For 33 years he delivered your oil.

Smoking his cigar while singing a song.He was a hard worker his whole life long.

He was a son, a brother, a husband and DadAnd the best Pepere a kid could have.A beautiful life, that came to an end.

He died as he lived, everyone’s friend.

It’s only been 7 years since he’s been goneHe’s with his family in his heavenly home.In our hearts a memory will always be keptOf the one we loved, and will never forget.

Syilva’s family

STONE-LADEAU FUNERAL HOME 343 Central Street 

Winchendon, MA 01475

Tel: 978-297-0077 • Fax: 978-297-0075

Elizabeth A LaCroix, 72WORCESTER — Elizabeth A

LaCroix, age 72, a long-time resident of Worcester, died March 17, 2016.

She is survived by daughters Tracy Piligian of Worcester, Michelle LaCroix Polselli and her husband Mario Polselli of Worcester, Jacquelyn Bertucci Landry of Slidell, LA, Melinda LaCroix of North Brookfield, Megan LaCroix of Pittsfield, Crystle LaCroix of Carbondale, IL; a son James Bertucci of Chalmettet, LA; brothers Ronald Papierski of Spencer, Dennis Papierski of Springfield, Alfred Papierski and Peter Papierski both of Athens TN; sis-ters Louise Vivlamore of Barre, Robin LaCroix of Spencer and Terri Pecevich of Winchendon; many nieces & neph-ews; grandchildren; a great-grandchild and many friends. She is predeceased by brothers John & Donald Papierski Jr. and James McKeon; a sister Sharlene Papierski; her mother Claire Gonyer and father Anthony Jurasus.

Elizabeth, warmly nicknamed “Betty Boop,” was born in Worcester on Aug. 24, 1943. She lived in several locations, including New Orleans and Florida. Her later years were spent with her

partner, Gary Huguenin, who passed away six years ago.

Betty attended David Prouty High School. She later worked at Brookfield Shoe for a good many years and also worked at Daypaul Plastics in Worcester.

Betty enjoyed traveling, shopping and Facebook. She was known as the rooster on Facebook because she was on bright and early every day with a good look on life, cheering everyone up. She was tremendously proud of her children and grandchildren, and thoughtfully sent all of her family members cards for every occasion. She was a joyous, selfless and kind woman. We will all miss her con-versations, her laughter and her smiles. Thank you for all the good years you gave us. “Rah-Rah” “Be cool” “Ly Xoxo”

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 11:30AM in Worcester County Memorial Park 217 Richards Ave. in Paxton.

Pillsbury Funeral Home (Pillsburyfuneralhome.com) 163 Main St. Spencer is assisting the family with arrangements.

WINCHENDON CHURCHESBethany Bible Chapel

727 Spring St.(978) 297 1493

Pastor/Elder Tom Clinkscalehttp://bbchapel.netoffice@bbchapel.net

Regular Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.Church of God

30 Beech St.(978) 297 1723

Rev. Howard Underwood Jr.Like us on Facebook®

Sunday 9:45 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.Wednesday 7 p.m.

Cornerstone Church122 Gardner Road

(978) 297 3125http://cornerstoneag.net

Pastor Barry RistoPastor Debbie Risto

Pastor J. LilliePastor Brad Hackett

Pastor Donna SlocumSunday Services 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday youth ministries: 6:30 p.m.Wednesday Royal Rangers & Mpact & Abundant Life service: 6:30 p.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary52 Spruce St.(978) 297 0280

Rev. Michael Clementsrev.michael.clements@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook®Mass

Daily: Wednesday & Thursday 8 a.m.Tuesday & Friday 6 p.m.

Saturdays 4 p.m.Sundays 9:30 a.m.

The Lord’s ChurchOld Centre Congregational Church

(978) 652-5186www.thelordschruch.net

Rev. John Roypastor@thelordschurch.net

Sundays 10:30 a.m.United Parish

39 Front St.(978) 297 0616

Rev. F. Calvin Millerwww.unitedparish.comSunday service 10 a.m.

Youth group Sunday 6 p.m.Winchendon Unitarian Universalist

128 Central St.PO Box 218

(978) 297 0554Minister Inanna Arthenhttp://uucw.ncmuuc.org

Regular Sunday service 11 a.m. followed by potluck dinner

Helen M. Champney, 87RINDGE — Helen

M. Champney, age 87, a lifelong resident of Rindge, NH died peacefully at home on Monday, March 7, 2016 after a period of failing health.

Helen was born on May 11, 1928 in Boston,

daughter of the late James F. and Anna Marie (Egan) Booth. She was educated locally. Helen had worked early on in her life at the Box Shop in Winchendon. Eventually she became a hairdresser and worked for many years at Henry’s Hair Salon in Keene.

Helen’s faith was everything to her and she constantly read her Bible. She had been a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon and Saint Patrick Parish in Jaffrey. She also was an avid follower of Rod Parsley and the television ministry of the World Harvest Church in Ohio. Helen had travelled to Jerusalem and had been baptized in the Jordan River. Helen was an avid Boston Red Sox fan who could be found watching many games on TV. She also enjoyed being armchair contestants on several game shows. She loved playing Bingo and played at a few local games each week. Helen also liked sewing, crocheting, cooking and had recently began painting with oil

on canvas. Helen had supported those who were committed to public service and assisted with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rindge Fire Department while her husband served as a volunteer fire-fighter for the town. Helen was pre-deceased by her husband, Herbert J. Champney on April 2, 2012. Her son-in-law Richard Cloutier, her grandson Neil R. Champney, and her great-grand-daughter Kasie Cloutier She is survived by her two daughters Tanis and her husband Dwight Whitcomb of Rindge and Colleen Cloutier of Rindge and by her son Joseph M. Champney II and his wife Brenda of Gardner. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, as well as an aston-ishing eight great-great-grandchildren. . Family and friends will honor and remember Helen’s life by gathering for calling hours at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River St., (Route 202) in Jaffrey on Thursday April 7, 2016 from 6 until 8 p.m. A Memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel by Rev. Wilfred H. Deschamps, Pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Jaffrey. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Hillside Cemetery in Rindge. In lieu of flowers, please consid-er a donation to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458.

Norma A. Dionne, 89JAFFREY — Norma

A. Dionne, age 89, of River Street in Jaffrey died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a period of failing health.

She was born on May 23, 1926 in Peterborough, NH, daughter of the late Peter and Pauline (Toneri) Stanghellini. She was a 1944 graduate of the former Peterborough High School and had been a resident of Jaffrey since 1951.

She had worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at the American Guernsey Cattle Club and at New Hampshire Ball Bearing before becoming secretary to the director of instructions in the Jaffrey-Rindge School District, from which she eventually retired. Mrs. Dionne was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Jaffrey and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jaffrey Memorial Post #5613 VFW. She enjoyed the warmth and comfort of her home while knit-ting, reading and solving word search-es. Her greatest love was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She married Fernando R. Dionne on April 12, 1947. He

preceded her in death on Feb. 28, 2005. Her brother David Stanghellini also died earlier. Mrs. Dionne is survived by her two daughters, Linda Dionne of Keene, NH and Rebecca Dionne-Chila and her husband Anthony of Jaffrey; her two sons, Peter Dionne and his wife Sandi of Murrells Inlet, SC and Michael Dionne and his wife Linda of Jaffrey; her nine grandchildren, Troy Santymire and his wife Allison, Robb Santymire and his wife Rachel, Christopher Dionne and his wife Rebecca, Nicholas Dionne and his wife Stephanie, Stephanie Lafrennie and her husband Chad, Rachael Lovett and her husband Rory, Gregory Dionne, Robert Dionne, and Jeremy Dionne and his wife Kayla; her 15 great-grandchil-dren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at St. Patrick Church, 89 Main St., Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor was celebrant. Burial followed in the family lot in Upper Pine Hill Cemetery in Peterborough. ln lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446.

Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River St., Jaffrey was entrusted with arrangements.

Raymond J. DoucetNEW ORLEANS LA — Raymond J.

Doucet of New Orleans LA, died unex-pectedly on Feb. 28, 2016.

He leaves behind siblings, Samuel of Leominster, and Roger of Winchendon.

Mr. Doucet served proudly in the mil-itary until 1976. He had also served as an assistant banquet manager for major hotel chains in New Orleans, LA.

A memorial ser-vice was held at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery at 111 Glenallan St., Winchendon on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Doris ‘DC’ Martin, 78RINDGE — Doris

“DC” “Marty” Martin, age 78, resident of Rindge, died at his home on Tuesday March 15, 2016 sur-rounded by his loving family.

He was born on Aug. 18, 1937 in Washington,

OH, a son of the late Robert and Delphia (Dalton) Martin. Marty was raised and educated in Ohio and after leaving high school he entered into the United States Air Force and faithfully served his country until being honorably dis-charged in 1958.

Marty moved around a lot during his life, living in such places as; Lowell, OH, Fort Hood, TX, Greenland, Holyoke, Fitzwilliam, and finally hanging up his hat in Rindge with his lovely wife, Joan, who he married in Swanzey, NH in 1974. Mr. Martin worked for many years in the construction field, working for a long while for Frank Whitcomb Construction. He was a member at the Fitzwilliam Sportsman’s Club and enjoyed watching TV, camping and hunting in the great outdoors of New Hampshire. In addition to his parents

Marty was prede-ceased by his broth-ers Dallas, Vermon and Carrol, and by his son Carlton Tinker Jr. Marty will be greatly missed by his family and his friends. Survivors include his loving wife Joan and his children; daughters Loretta Loring and Carol Ann Heil; his son, Ralph Tinker; nine grand-children, 18 great-grandchildren; his sister Leila Smith, his brother Leon Martin and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A graveside ser-vice with full military honors will be held in the spring in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Fitzwilliam, date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, dona-tions in Marty’s memory may be made to either the Fitzwilliam Sportsmen’s Club, 696 Royalston Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447, or to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458

Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, Jaffrey, NH was entrusted with arrange-ments.

Gisele ‘Gerry’ M. (Bessette) Nault, 87GARDNER — Gisele

“Gerry” M. (Bessette) Nault, age 87, of Gardner, formerly of Leominster, died Wednesday, March 23, in her home surround-ed by her loving family.

She was born Sept. 9, 1928, in Glover, VT daughter of the late Dorea

and Eva (Soucy) Bessette. Mrs. Nault worked at the former Newbury’s, the former Grant’s, and Allen’s Department Store. She was a member of Saint Cecilia’s Parish in Leominster and Holy Spirit Parish in Gardner.

Mrs. Nault loved gardening, the out-doors, and traveling. She was a talented artist, calligrapher, and crafter. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She leaves her husband of 66 years, Roger Nault; one son, Dennis Nault and his wife Deborah of Winchendon; two daughters, Rollande LeDuc and her husband Ken of Leominster, and

Sandra Nault of Fitchburg; four grand-children, Marc Lanza and his wife, Crystal of Georgia, Shelby Dion and her husband, Mike of Ashburnham, Ian Nault and Joey Nault, both of Winchendon; two great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Joshua Dion; two sisters, Estelle Cuddahy of Leominster, and Mae Haney of Lunenburg; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Orient and Maurice Bessette, and two sisters, Gertrude Montaquila and Doris David.

The memorial Mass was held Monday, March 28 at St. Cecilia’s Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster. Burial fol-lowed in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and in appreciation for the loving care received, memori-al contributions may be made to the GVNA Healthcare, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.

Simard Funeral Home (mackfamily-funeralhomes.com), 14 Walker St., is assisting the family with arrangements.

Email

Us!What’s On Your Mind?

We’d Like to Know.

Email us your thoughts to:

ruth@stonebridgepress.com

Winchendon courier 8 Friday, April 1, 2016

SPORTSSPORTSThe pre-season predictions

Four times in the last decade we’ve been treated to a mid-major crashing the Final Four party. Butler reached the title games in back-to-back years and VCU and the extremely improb-able George Mason Patriots did so as well. Those were fun to see. This year, we had those mind-blowing upsets we love early on once again, but when the national semis are played tomorrow in Houston, there’s not an underdog to be found. Sure, Syracuse is the first-ever 10 seed to reach the Final Four, but come on — Syracuse is Syracuse. Maybe this year’s team didn’t seem to match up most of the year with previous editions, but it would be ridiculous to think of the Orange as anything but what they are — a traditional national powerhouse program.

The same holds for the other three schools. Oklahoma, Villanova and, of course, North Carolina are in the conversation every year when the dis-cussion turns to who can win it all. I’ve been on record since last fall as predicting the Wildcats will emerge as champions, so I’ll stick with that. If any team can disrupt the Sooners’ Buddy

Hield, or slow down the fast-paced Heels, it’d be the Cats. That’s a tall order, but what’s the saying — “you dance with who brung you.” I’m stay-ing with Villanova. Shakily. Ha. The smart money is on an Oklahoma-Carolina final. Whatever. Who likes to play the chalk anyway? Not me.

Eschewing the chalk is why I refuse to buy into the Cubs as Secretariat, a nice turn of phrase from PTI’s Tony Kornheiser. I mean, they’re the Cubs. What else do you need to know? Their most recent pennant came in 1945, their most recent World Series win in 1908. On paper, they look logical. On the field, things happen. Besides, even if you’re not betting actual money, pick-ing the favorite is no fun. And it’s an even year. Sure, it’s been a coincidence the Giants have won the Series the last three even years — I mean — it’s not like San Francisco wasn’t trying in the odd years, but they look awfully good again. The Mets have that great starting pitching, the Nats aren’t burdened this spring by the weight of expectations, the

Cardinals are the Cardinals, steady and consistently contending year after year, decade after decade, hell, century after centu-ry. and the Dodgers aren’t shabby and nor are the

Pirates or D-Backs. So, in the National League, let’s call the division winners the Mets, Cubs, and Giants with the wild-cards going to the Nationals and Diamondbacks, the latter of whom has, in Paul Goldschmidt, a guy who’s not far behind Bryce Harper in terms of talent. There are a slew of good teams in the NL and not all of them can make it to October. I’m guessing St. Louis may have been dinged just enough by off-season defections to fall short and the same holds true for Los Angeles, especially with the loss of Zack Grienke to Arizona. Playoff baseball is a crap-shoot so why not Washington?

In the American League, the Red Sox picked up a stud starter and great closer. But David Price can pitch only

every fifth day. Toronto is deeper. So’s Tampa Bay, although it’s an open ques-tion as to whether the Rays will score much. Who constitutes the Yankees and Orioles rotations as the summer pro-gresses remains anyone’s guess. Kansas City is obviously solid but Detroit will rebound and Cleveland will too. I’m guessing the Twins may have been a bit of a mirage in 2015. Houston, Texas, and LA are all going to good, and don’t be shocked if Seattle remains in playoff contention late into August. But the Blue Jays, Tigers, and Astros will win the divisions with the Rays and Royals grabbing the wild cards. The ‘Stros are riding a lot of hype too, but while their history hasn’t exactly been sterling (one pennant in the 53-year history of the franchise), they won’t show up Monday on Opening Day with the same cen-tury-plus of failing which haunts the Cubbies. Houston wins the American League. If you want to go with the easy-to-pick Royals and Mets/Cubs, be my guest. Nobody takes pre-season predic-tions seriously anyway. At least I don’t. Do you?

JERRY CARTON

Talking SporTS

WINCHENDON — To benefit the Better Tomorrow Cat Shelter, the Murdock High School chapter of the National Honor Society hosted a “but-ler” auction, spearheaded by Michaela Benedict.

Members of the National Honor Society were voluntarily auctioned during school lunches to their peers. On Butler Day, March 8, 11 butlers dressed in their “finest” attire to serve their respective buyers.

Throughout the day, the Murdock com-munity witnessed a boy-band a capella at lunch, a giant guinea pig roaming the halls, a walking whoopee cushion (with life-like sound effects), and an imperson-ator of our beloved math teacher, Mr. Krans.

At the end of the day, over $300 were collected to purchase food and toys for the cats of the shelter. With this money, nearly 100 pounds of cat food was bought in addition to many other toys.

The Murdock community can’t wait to run this benefit auction again next year.

Math teacher Mr. Krans and Michaela Bennett (his doppelganger) ham it up a bit for the cam-era.

Courtesy photos

Event organizer Michael Bennett and a help-er Dalton Scott with some of the toys and products for A Better Tomorrow Cat Shelter purchased with funds from the auction.

And of course, the hamster himself.

At left: The a cappella chorus: Alex Marshall, Tom Aho, Sean Sutton and Aidan Provost with their mascot friend (Jason Bourgoin) were enter-taining.

NHS does it like Jeeves

Mat Plamondon photos

He’s so fluffy! Saphira Martin hugs a big white puppy at the Winchendon Rod & Gun Club egg hunt.

At left center: Iris Roux takes careful aim during a sharpshooters game at the Cornerstone Church Easter festivities.

Bottom left: Michael Fetzner shows off his basket full of loot at the Winchendon Rod & Gun Club festivities.

EGGS-CETERA

Carter Talbot takes a mighty swing at the small bowling alley during the Cornerstone Church egg hunt last weekend.

It all began more than 30 years ago when a handful of mental health workers at North Central Human Services joined with a few clients , all of whom were look-ing for healthy, upbeat activities. Together they formed “Chrystal House Friends”, named for a nearby lake.

A decade later, the state Department of Mental Health gave NCHS seed money to open a new loca-tion in the old Goodnow’s Pearson building in downtown Gardner and to launch a vocation-al program. The devel-opment of what would become today’s Crystal Clubhouse on Lake Street was underway.

By 1997, the DMH was funding building expenses and a small job training program. Within five years, Crystal House Clubhouse was certified by the

International Center for Clubhouse Development and is now a member of the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, which consists of 33 such Clubhouses throughout the state.

Seven years ago, Alternatives Unlimited took over NCHS men-tal health contracts but Deveikis said she’s focused both on short and long-term goals.

“We have people getting here by 8 some mornings. It’s a place where they’re not judged, where they can develop a comfort level with other members and at the same time learn skills” by vol-unteering in one of four work areas: the kitchen, snack shop, employment/education center or busi-ness unit.

Deveikis was drawn to the field by a counseling course she took at Mount Wachusett Community College and after that class, her interest was piqued enough to parlay a single class into a career.

She’s been at Crystal House Clubhouse for a decade.

“Every day here is rewarding. That’s not to say there’s no stress, of course, but when I see people making progress in their lives, going back to school, getting jobs, using things they learned or developed here, that’s the most rewarding thing of all. It’s exciting to think there’s room to grow the program, and we keep trying to do that every day.”

“Seeing the success stories, that’s the best thing,” she stressed.

Crystal House, located at 55 Lake Street (Suite 100) in Gardner, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week-days and schedules events on Saturdays as well, including tomor-row, when they’ll be hold-ing a pancake breakfast from 8 until noon. More information in avail-able at (978) 632-2794 or at CrystalHouse@AlternativesNet.org.

CRYSTAL HOUSEcontinued from page A1

See a photo you would like to order?Photo RePRints AvAilAble

Call Stonebridge Press for details

508-764-4325 or drop us an email at photos@stonebridgepress.com

retail core.What was it that justified the par-

ties coming together in such an ami-cable manner?

The Historic Commission voted unanimously to lift a demolition moratorium it had placed on two prominent pieces of downtown real estate in exchange for Cumberland Farms striving to build a new con-venience store/gas station that – as much as realistically possible – rep-licates the historic look of downtown Winchendon.

The commission enacted the stop demolition order last year after Cumberland Farms proposed razing the Joseph’s Variety Store building and the neighboring home, known locally as the Fairbank House, in order to make way for a structure that doubles the square footage of its existing store. The fate of a barn that stands behind the Fairbank House is uncertain. The convenience store chain wants to destroy the barn, but commission Chairman Corey Bohan said Wednesday night an anonymous Winchendon resident has expressed interest in buying and relocating the structure.

Planning Project Manager Dawn Johnson said Cumberland Farms likely would have no objection to someone buying and moving the structure “as long as it was done at their own expense and the work didn’t effect our construction time-line. I think we’d be fine with it as long as they work with us.”

Some commission members expressed hope that at least a few of the large trees standing on the two parcels could be saved. However, Atty. Phil Lombardo said “due to the demolition and construction, the entire site will need to be razed, except for behind” 40-44 Central St., home of the Courier, Mercury Real Estate, and a private tenant on the second floor.

“We intend to submit a detailed landscaping plan,” said the lawyer, “but we’re certainly open to suggestions on those plans.”

Johnson said Cumbys planned to put a wrought

iron fence atop a retaining wall at the back of the property, another detail sought by the commission. Fencing elsewhere on site would need to be worked out in the site plan, she added.

For the most prominent part of the property, Bohan said some com-mission members have expressed a preference for erecting granite posts with wrought iron chain running between them. The fence posts would be evenly spaced between the store’s/station’s two entrances.

Commission member Mary Harrington said the post-and-chain fence would not only intrude less on landscaping at the site, it would also provide a much better line of sight for motorists entering the intersection at Blair Square from Central Street.

Lombardo said when it comes to new street lights, “Cumberland Farms would try to match the style of what’s in the neighborhood.”

The commission suggested new lights look as much as possible like those standing in front of Town Hall.

“We searched around and were able to find something very close to what’s there,” said Johnson. “We just need to determine how many to pur-chase and what size they should be.”

The commission asked Lombardo about the possibility of people getting into the Joseph and Fairbank build-ings prior to demolition for salvage purposes.

“Once the buildings are bought, you can take whatever you want out of them,” said Lombardo.

Harrington explained that two large, attractive Victorian-style buildings – one that stood on Linden Street, the other at the corner of Central and Maple streets – were demolished to make way for the new CVS pharmacy.

“People were heartbroken at the demolition,” she said. “They came down before anyone could get in to do any salvage work. We need a system that is good for everybody.”

Commission member David Plummer expressed some wariness

about the proposal.“That’s a high risk operation,” he

said. “Having people in those build-ings would be risky. There’s broken glass, some of the floors aren’t in very good shape.”

“The only ones who would be allowed in would be you guys,” Johnson stressed.

“It would need to be coordinat-ed,” added Lombardo. “If I may, I’d respectfully suggest that maybe you set up a subcommittee to oversee any salvage operation.”

Harrington then raised the possi-bility of Cumberland Farms provid-ing the cash needed to hire a con-sultant to work on establishing a downtown local historic district She said there had been some initial talk about the company making such a contribution to the town.

“Ten-thousand dollars is the figure I heard,” said Lombardo. “It didn’t shock us. It’s certainly not an unusu-al – or unreasonable – request.”

A motion to lift the demolition delay, made by commission member Peg Corbosiero, was then approved on a 5-0 vote (members Bob Guenther and James McCrohan were not in attendance). The moratorium was set to expire in July, but vacating the restriction gives Cumberland Farms a bit more leeway to move ahead with plans for the new store, although it still must bring a detailed site plan before the Planning Board for its approval.

“This is a wonderful move,” Harrington said. “I wouldn’t want to delay this project any further.”

“This sets a visual precedent,” added Plummer.

Planning Director Tracy Murphy was in attendance and concluded the meeting by saying, “I want to thank the commission for taking this action. You’re responsible for getting this building to look the way it does. It’s hard to let go of historic build-ings, but if you can negotiate and deal with problems or issues in this way you can at least” re-create history.

Winchendon courier 9 Friday, April 1, 2016

Service Directory ads offer sellers the fastest and most affordable way to advertise. From apples to azaleas,

Chryslers to condos, the directory is the way to sell! Give Ruth a call today to

place your ad: 978-297-0050

YEARS OF

SATISFIED SERVICE

49 Central Street, Suite 3 Winchendon, MA 01475Tel (978) 297-2390 Fax (978) 297-3673

dlapointe@attorneylapointe.com • www.attorneylapointe.com

Attorney David A. LaPointeDivorce & Family law oUi/criminal DeFense

wills & estates • Personal injUry

Auto detailing by Ashlie

See us for your automotive needs

Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pmSaturday 9 am-1 pm

47 Water St. • (978) 297-4645rscarter72@verizon.net

Auto Lube& Repair

Fully Licensed & Insured 24 hr ServiceDon Comeau

978.413.6316 doncomeau@comcast.net

BRUCE’S BURNER SERVICE

Bruce W. Cloutier 978-297-1815

Lic. #016828

Heating Systems Cleaned, Repaired & Installed

0% Interest and large rebates available for new installations

Made you look? Others do too. Keep your business in the public’s eye: advertise in the Courier

(978) 297-0050 x100 ruth@stonebridgepress.com

52 Fitzgerald Drive, Jaffrey, NHPAVING • SEALCOATING

CRACK FILING603 532-1100

www.JDKPavement.com“We don’t claim to be the best, our customers do.”

JDK PAVEMENT

PANCAKE BREAKFASTGARDNER — Crystal House is hold-

ing its annual pancake breakfast and ticket auction Saturday, April 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at 55 Lake St. Suite 100. All you can eat pancakes and sausage for just $6, $3 for children. Proceeds benefit the House and its activities. For information or to make a donation call (978) 630-2794.

WANT TO TOUR ITALY?FITCHBURG—Fitchburg State

University CenterStage offers an expert-ly guided culinary tour of the Northern Italy region of Emilia-Romagna at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at the Falcon Hub in Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl St.

Fitchburg State favorite Fred Plotkin returns to enlighten guests about the history, music and culture of Emilia-Romagna, the region that many call the heart of Northern Italian food from prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano to an array of fresh pasta and balsamic vinegar.

An authentic menu of specialty dish-es will set the stage for the renowned author and gourmand’s verbal tour of the region and a cash bar featuring regional wines will be available.

This event is sponsored by the Sandro and Lillian Clementi Lecture Fund of Fitchburg State University.

Tickets are $35 for adults, inclusive of tax and tip. Advance purchase is required. The Weston Box Office, locat-ed inside Weston Auditorium at 353 North St., is open 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and can be reached at 978-665-3347. Tickets can also be ordered online at fitchburgstate.edu/centerstage.

HEADSTART REGISTRATIONWinchendon Head Start free pre-

school program (for income eligible families) for families in Winchendon, Baldwinville, and other surrounding towns. (4 hours per day/5 days per week during the school year) has space for 3 & 4 year old children for the upcoming 2016-17 school year!

Call Emily for an application 978-297-9832 (until 5/20/16) (800)-523-6373 to apply after 5/20/16

Nationally accredited classrooms; professionally trained staff; and priority for children with disabilities.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONIf your child will be five years of

age by Aug. 31 he/she is eligible for Kindergarten in the fall of 2016.

Kindergarten is a full-day, NAEYC accredited program. Open enrollment will begin Monday, March 21 through

Friday April 15, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For those parents that are unable to register their child during the day, an evening registration will be held on Wednesday, April 13 from 5-7 p.m.

Registration packets will be mailed home on Friday, March 4. If you do not receive a packet and your child is eligi-ble, registration forms will be available on the school website at www.winchen-donk12.org or you can call the school at (978) 297-1305 for more information.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTSPRINGFIELD — Springfield College

has named the following area students to the Dean’s List for academic excel-lence for the fall 2015 term. Patricia Rousseau of Jaffrey studying applied exercise science; Jordan Livingston of Athol studying criminal justice and Mackenzie Mann of Athol studying rehabilitation and disability studies.

Criteria for selection to the dean’s list are as follows: The student must have completed a minimum of 12 cred-it hours of graded coursework for the semester, exclusive of “P” grades; the student must not have any incompletes, missing grades or “CPs” in the desig-nated semester; the student must have a minimum semester grade point average of 3.500 for the semester; and the student must not have been barred from the dean’s list due to a disciplinary action.

DURHAM, NH (01/29/2016)-- The fol-lowing student has been named to the Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Delaney Payne of Athol has earned Highest Honors

Patrick Wheeler of Templeton has earned Honors

From Fitzwilliam, Abigail Thompson and Nicholas Dubicki each earned Highest Honors

From Jaffrey Peter White has earned High Honors and Rebecca Migotsky has earned Highest Honors

From Rindge Bethany Fraser and Andrew Pierce earned High Honors and Elisha Hodgson earned Highest Honors.n

Students named to the Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire have earned recognition through their supe-rior scholastic performance. Highest Honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.

COURIER CAPSULES

of Winchendon.”“I think our short-term goal,” said

Romanowski, “is to first get this article on the warrant so the town can vote up or down on whether they do want this property. In that short term, what we’ll do is put together some of the benefits, if we can, for getting the property. By town meeting we’ll have as much infor-mation as we can out to the townsfolks to make it a favorable acquisition.”

In terms of development of the prop-

erty for town purposes, said Romanowski, “we’re think-ing it’s going to be a 10, 20 year project. It isn’t any-

thing we’re going to do overnight. We certainly don’t want the taxpayers of Winchendon to bear the burden of any development.”

“The way the warrant article is writ-ten,” asked board member Barbara Anderson, “the town will actually be voting to give us the authority to sell the Marvin building, correct?”

“Correct,” answered Hickey.“The town will not be voting on

whether or not to acquire Ingleside?”

Anderson continued.“The article gives you the authority

to take cash, cash and property, or just property,” said Hickey. “That’s what the article gives you the authority to do.”

Selectmen voted unanimously to place the proposed article on the warrant.

Following the meeting, a group of cit-izen organizers expressed displeasure with the fact there was no town meeting article asking voters if they want to the see town to take ownership of the Ingleside property. As a result, a citi-zens petition to place that question on the warrant is being circulated around town. The question, “Do you support the

acquisition of the Ingleside property by the town of Winchendon,” is non-bind-ing.

Said one organizer, “It’s probably a good idea and it probably has a lot of support, but this gives voters a chance to let their feelings be known.”

Organizers say they recognize select-men will make the final decision.

In other action Monday night, select-men appointed Bob Zbikowski, Al Gallant, Rick McAllister, Rick Lucier and Larry Sordoni to the newly-formerd Transfer Station Study Committee.

BOScontinued from page A1

Johnson spent a lot of years switching between the insurance and pho-tography/graphics busi-nesses, and found simi-larities between them. “You’ve got to be in the right place at the right time,” he asserted.

The Kodak Brownie of yesteryear wasn’t the only piece of equipment that seems primitive in retrospect.

“Everything in the darkroom was done by hand. It took a few min-utes to develop each pic-ture and then we’d hang them on clotheslines to dry,” he recalled.

“That was all before they went to the layout artist,” said Johnson, chuckling about the years between 1962 and 1972 when he was work-ing at a Gardner printing shop.

“The process — It was really an awful job,” he said, shaking his head.

Through the decades there was the insurance work but there was also no doubt where Johnson, a 1954 Gardner high school graduate who’s lived in Winchendon for over a half-century, has been happiest, and that’s behind the lens.

He’ll take pictures of anything — even had his own wedding photogra-phy business for a year, but nature shots are his favorite.

“I’ve expressed that as best I could through my camera. I always loved taking pictures of snow, of flowers,” he said.

The photo on the aforementioned 2006 town report was taken in Jaffrey on an early spring day and Johnson was perched on a bank

overlooking the water searching for just the right angle to create a memorable shot. People notice. Johnson recalled a picture he took years ago on what he believes to have been Pearly Pond in Rindge and as he was shooting, he was approached by someone who said they knew the owner of the adjacent property. Johnson was introduced to them and was promptly asked how much he’d sell the pic-ture for. A deal was cut and the photo was, he remembered, hung in the owner’s office.

“That has happened,” a number of times. He would be out with his camera — “you see some-thing, you pull off the side of the road, adjust your lens and shoot” — and found himself asked what he was doing and more than once was asked to sell the picture.

“People see what you’re doing and it attracts their curiosity. I’m a talker, too, that’s the insurance guy, in fact, talking took me out of my shell,” laughed the energetic Johnson “and sometimes we’ve worked things out so they could have the picture and the talking has helped me get to display, too.”

Johnson, who even still owns a Nikon 606 film camera and a tripod, once worked as a string-er for the Worcester Telegraph/Gazette.

“I’ve done a lot,” he acknowledged, pointing out he’s added writing to his repertoire. “It all keeps me active.”

But photography remains his favorite pas-time. “There’s always something out there for me to photograph,” he remarked.

JOHNSONcontinued from page A1

CUMBY’Scontinued from page A1

BY APRIL GOODWINCOURIER

CORRESPONDENT

WINCHENDON — Children of all

ages had a blast playing games with family and friends at the A Better Tomorrow Youth Center recently during the Game Night hosted by the Bethany Bible Chapel of Winchendon. Games, snacks, and fun for the whole family kept everyone smiling and having a good time throughout the night.

From the air hockey and Foosball tables, to the board games that drew a table-full of people around them, there was some-thing fun for everyone. The event was free and open to the public as a way to get more people in the community in the know about the Chapel while also getting the Chapel involved with the community.

“We get together and get involved in the community, reach out, and get to know people,” explained Matthew Gwinn of the Chapel. “It’s what we do as a church.”

Gwinn warmly described the Chapel members as a “family of families.” While many of the families at the Game Night were from the church, their effort to reach out was still a success. Many other community members participated in the event in response to the advertise-ments or from the cat shelter next door.

Thanks to the A Better Tomorrow Youth Center, fun community events like these are possible, as the Bethany Bible Chapel does not have a large room like the Center to host such events. The Youth Center generously offers their space for non-profit organizations to host events and activities. Parents com-mented on how great of a place the Youth Center is for children to play in, and how nice it is that it’s open to the public.

The Bethany Bible Chapel is looking to put on events like this once a quarter, so be sure to stop by their next event, say hi, meet some friendly new people, and have a great time!

HELP WANTEDRCAP IS HIRING

RCAP Solutions is always in search of talented, team-oriented people with a passion for fulfilling the RCAP Solutions mission. Are you one of those individuals? If so, please feel free to submit your resume to our Human Resources Department for future consideration and we will contact you should an appropriate opportunity arise. Email: HR@rcapsolutions.org or Fax: (978) 630-2751.

CURRENT AVAILABLE POSITIONS: (Updated March 17,

2016)Grant Writer: Gardner

The grant writer will provide support for the organization’s research, resource development and proposal writing efforts that include foundation, corporate and individual philanthropist prospects. The work will rely heavily on researching and gathering data and information from various internal and external databases. The work is heavily focused on the internal coordination of all planning & development activities. The position will work closely with the chief development and government affairs officer to

ensure that all tasks continue to be successfully met.

Maintenance Technician: Hubbardston/Groton

The maintenance technician will provide day to day maintenance and custodial services to the housing complex(s) he/she is assigned, within the confines of established RCAP Solutions and funding sources policy and regulations. Responsibilities include the monitoring and maintenance of the physical plant. The maintenance technician will keep the building clean, orderly and well maintained. He/she will make necessary repairs and, within RCAP Solutions purchasing procedures, recommend contractors needed for more significant repairs. The maintenance technician is required to be on-call after RCAP business hours and to respond and resolve emergency situations. Manager of Supportive Services: WorcesterThe manager of supportive services will be responsible for the day to day program operations, management, staff supervision, and reporting for the HOME BASE hotel and stabilization programs and SSTAP (Scattered Site Transitional

A p a r t m e n t P r o g r a m ) d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e s u r v i v o r p r o g r a m s , and any other s h e l t e r /h o m e l e s s /h o m e l e s s n e s s p r e v e n t i o n program offered

through RCAP. Depending on funding availability the manager of supportive services may also function as a project manager of a small program while overseeing other programs. The manager of supportive services will directly supervise the line staff (case managers/workers, housing search, and any project managers or coordinators of the programs).Residential Loan Fund Manager: GardnerThe research and development coordinator manages a full residential portfolio of existing loans and grows the portfolio through marketing of loan programs, community outreach, database management and optimization, ensuring compliance and accuracy in both internal and external reporting. The position will also contribute to compliance with regulations and delivery expectations along with the RCAP Solutions Strategic Plan as it relates to outcomes for residential lending. Program Representative: WorcesterThe program representative will ensure Housing Choice Voucher program participants and their owners receive program assistance and ensure that program requirements are completed in an accurate, timely manner. Program representatives work with the property owners or their designee/property managers along with program participants in ensuring program requirements and obligations are met to receive continuing housing subsidy assistance.Send cover letter and resume to our Human Resources Department.

Email: HR@rcapsolutions.org or Fax: (978) 630-2751.JOB SEEKERS

Job Seekers N e t w o r k i n g

Group hosted by North Central Career Center and Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce. Meetings are open to all job seekers and are held on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. at the Chamber conference room, 29 Parker St. 2nd floor, Gardner. Contact the Chamber at (978) 632-1780.

EMPLOYERSThese help wanted ads are FREE! Contact the Courier to find out how to get help for your business by calling (978) 297-0050 x 100 or email ruth@stonebridgepress.com.

FOR RENTROOMS FOR RENT

Downtown Winchendon, immediate occupancy: located on second floor in secured, peaceful, friendly, well maintained, quiet & drug free building. Independent group of older gentlemen to co-habitat, hallway & bath facilities are shared. 1 parking space, dumpster use, heat/HW included, electric included (except AC in summer). $450 per month. References, income verification, first & last to move in. Applications available: Dick’s Place Barbershop, 298 Central St. (978) 297-0005.

GOODRICH APARTMENTSNow taking applications. Call for guidelines. (978) 297-0231. TFN

SERVICES All in One Painting: interior, exterior, power washing, decks. More than 25 years experience, fully insured, free estimates. (603) 305-4974 or leo@allinonepainting.net TFN

WANTEDWANTED

Motorcycles, ATVs, scooters. Cash paid for good deals. (978) 297-1800. 11.1.16

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSDrum teacher Leon LaPlante seeks used instruments and drum stands to help out high school students. (978) 297-1250.

Winchendon courier 10 Friday, April 1, 2016

CLIP AND MAIL COUPONWrite your ad here:

Name:Address:Town: Zip:Phone:

MAIL to: The Winchendon Courier91 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475

Fax Coupon: 978-297-2177For more info., call 978-297-0050

Classified Ads…

4 WEEKS — $20• 30 words or less• Additional words 50¢ per word

Sorry, no refund for early cancellation.

Winchendon CourierClassifiedsClassifieds

…FAX US978-297-2177

Deadline: Friday at Noon

Serving the communities of Winchendon, Ashburnham, Athol, Gardner, Fitchburg, Leominster, Westminster, Templeton, Phillipston and southern N.H.

Winchendon CourierClassifiedsClassifieds • a S t o n e b r i d g e P r e S S P u b l i c a t i o n •

A1 HANDYMAN SERVICES(978)297-4670

28 years experience Home Repairs-Remodeling-Painting

To-Do Lists-Clean Outs-Trucking State HIC & CSL Licensed & Insured

Game night attracts ‘kids’ of all ages

Mat Plamondon photos

Katie Gwinn is really into the whole Foosball experience.

Pastor Tom Clinkscale can use a little aggression when playing the Foosball against good opponents.

Jacquelyn Lafond, age 2 with Susan Ruth try to find hidden treasures.

Below: Madison Lafond, age 5, watches to learn the Jenga game with David Lafrennie, Justin Lafond and Susan Wiesenauer.

Winchendon courier 11 Friday, April 1, 2016

NOTICE OF MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

By virtue and in execution of the Power of Sale contained in a cer-tain mortgage given by Noel P. Veilleux to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for GN Mortgage, LLC., dated March 12, 2007 and recorded with the Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds at Book 40813, Page 97, of which mortgage the undersigned is the present holder by assignment from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. to Guaranty Bank dated December 21, 2012 and recorded with said registry on December 31, 2012 at Book 50212 Page 281, for breach of the conditions of said mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing, the same will be sold at Public Auction at 12:00 p.m. on April 18, 2016, on the mortgaged premises located at 196 MAPLE STREET, WINCHENDON, Worcester County, Massachusetts, all and singular the premises described in said mortgage,TO WIT:Two certain parcels of land with the buildings and other improvements thereon located on the northerly side of Maple Street and the westerly side of Vine Street in Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, bounded and described as follows:Commencing at a stone monument on the corner of Maple and Vine Streets; thenceWesterly on the northerly line of Maple Street, five (5) rods to a stone monu-ment; thenceNortherly, eight (8) rods to a stone monument; thenceEasterly parallel with Maple Street, five (5) rods to stone monument in the westerly line of Vine Street; thenceSoutherly on the westerly line of Vine Street, eight (8) rods to the place of beginning.Also another parcel of real estate adjoining the above described lot, and bounded and described as follows:Commencing at a stone monument on the westerly line of Vine Street, which monument is also the northeasterly corner of the first described lot; thenceWesterly on the northerly line of the first described lot, five (5) rods to a stone monument; thenceNortherly parallel with Vine Street, eight (8) rods to the southerly line of Cedar Street; thenceEasterly on the southerly line of Cedar Street, five (5) rods to a stone monu-ment at a corner of Vine Street; thenceSoutherly on the westerly line of Vine Street, eight(8) rods to the place of beginning.This instrument creates no new bound-aries.Meaning and intending to convey and hereby conveying the same premises conveyed to me by deed of Gordon D. Reichert and Elizabeth A. Reichert, dated March 13 , 2007, recorded in Worcester District Registry of Deeds, Book 40813, Page 95.For mortgagor’s(s’) title see deed recorded with Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 40813, Page 95.These premises will be sold and con-veyed subject to and with the benefit of all rights, rights of way, restrictions, easements, covenants, liens or claims in the nature of liens, improvements, public assessments, any and all unpaid taxes, tax titles, tax liens, water and sewer liens and any other munic-ipal assessments or liens or existing encumbrances of record which are in force and are applicable, having priority over said mortgage, whether or not reference to such restrictions, easements, improvements, liens or encumbrances is made in the deed.TERMS OF SALE:A deposit of Five Thousand ($5,000.00 ) Dollars by certified or bank check will be required to be paid by the purchas-er at the time and place of sale. The balance is to be paid by certified or bank check at Harmon Law Offices, P.C., 150 California Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02458, or by mail to P.O. Box 610389, Newton Highlands, Massachusetts 02461-0389, within thirty (30) days from the date of sale.

Deed will be provided to purchaser for recording upon receipt in full of the purchase price. The description of the premises contained in said mortgage shall control in the event of an error in this publication.Other terms, if any, to be announced at the sale.

GUARANTY BANKPresent holder of said mortgage

By its Attorneys, HARMON LAW OFFICES,

P.C. 150 California Street Newton, MA 02458 (617) 558-0500

201505-0375 - PRPMarch 25, 2016April 1, 2016April 8, 2016

LEGAL NOTICEMORTGAGEE’S SALE

OF REAL ESTATEBy virtue of and in execution of the Power of Sale contained in a certain mortgage given by Louis P. Martin and Elaine E. Martin to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. acting solely as a nominee for GSF Mortgage Corp., dated March 21, 2008 and recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 42608, Page 15 of which mortgage Nationstar Mortgage LLC is the present holder by assignment from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. to Bank of America, N.A., Successor by Merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP f/k/a Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, LP dated October 14, 2011 recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 48036, Page 347; and assignment from Bank of America, N.A. to Nationstar Mortgage LLC dated January 2, 2013 recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 50268, Page 86, for breach of conditions of said mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same, the mortgaged premises located at 131 Oak Street, Winchendon, MA 01475 will be sold at a Public Auction at 4:00PM on April 15, 2016, at the mortgaged premises, more particularly described below, all and singular the premises described in said mortgage, to wit:The land with the buildings and other improvements thereon, sit-uated in Winchendon Village in said Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, bound-ed and described as follows: Commencing at a corner on the northerly side of Oak Street, being a corner of land formerly owned by Charles A. Loud, deceased; Thence westerly on said Oak Street eighty-two (82) feet to a stake in the center of a ditch; Thence northerly on line of land formerly owned by Levi R. Sawtelle one hundred and thirty-one (131) feet to a corner; Thence S. 78° 55’ E. one hundred and seven and one-half (107 1/2) feet to a stake and stones at said Loud land; Thence on line of said Loud land S. 70° 30’ W. ninety-three and three-fourths (93 3/4) feet to a stake and stones; Thence S. 2° 55’ E. thir-ty-eight and one-fourth (38 1/4).feet to the place of beginning. For mortgagor’s title see deed recorded with the Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 38129, Page 306.The premises will be sold subject to any and all unpaid taxes and other municipal assessments and liens, and subject to prior liens or other enforce-able encumbrances of record entitled to precedence over this mortgage, and subject to and with the benefit of all easements, restrictions, reservations and conditions of record and subject to all tenancies and/or rights of par-ties in possession. Terms of the Sale: Cash, cashier’s or certified check in the sum of $5,000.00 as a deposit must be shown at the time and place of the sale in order to qualify as a bidder (the mortgage holder and its designee(s) are exempt from this requirement); high bidder to sign writ-ten Memorandum of Sale upon accep-tance of bid; balance of purchase price payable in cash or by certified check

in thirty (30) days from the date of the sale at the offices of mortgagee’s attor-ney, Korde & Associates, P.C., 321 Billerica Road, Suite 210, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4100 or such other time as may be designated by mortgagee. The description for the premises con-tained in said mortgage shall control in the event of a typographical error in this publication.Other terms to be announced at the sale.Nationstar Mortgage LLCKorde & Associates, P.C. 321 Billerica Road Suite 210 Chelmsford, MA 01824-4100(978) 256-1500Martin, Louis and Elaine, 14-016281, March 25, 2016, April 1, 2016, April 8, 2016March 25, 2016April 1, 2016April 8, 2016

LEGAL NOTICEMORTGAGEE’S SALE OF

REAL ESTATEBy virtue of and in execution of the Power of Sale contained in a certain mortgage given by Beverly A. Laprade to Option One Mortgage Corporation, dated August 16, 2005 and recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 37079, Page 100 of which mortgage U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-10 is the present holder by assignment from Option One Mortgage Corporation to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, 2005-10 dated August 30, 2007 recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 42111, Page 221; and assignment from U.S. Bank, N.A., as Trustee for the Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust 2005-10 to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-10 dated January 8, 2013 recorded at Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 50354, Page 207, for breach of conditions of said mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same, the mortgaged premises locat-ed at 115 East Monomonac Road, Winchendon, MA 01475 will be sold at a Public Auction at 12:00PM on April 26, 2016, at the mortgaged premises, more particularly described below, all and singular the premises described in said mortgage, to wit:A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon situated on East Monomonac Road in the northeast-erly part of Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts bounded and described as follows:Beginning at an iron pin in the easterly line of the road leading by the east-erly side of Lake Monomonac from East Rindge NH to said Winchendon and by the big dam, so-called, said pipe being at the land now or for-merly of Joseph E. Roy et ux; Thence southerly on said road fifty (50) feet to an iron pin at land now or formerly of one Horrigan; Thence easterly by said Horrigan land two hundred (200) feet to an iron pin; Thence northerly fifty (50) feet to said land of Joseph E. Roy et ux; Thence westerly by said land of Joseph E. Roy et ux two hundred (200) feet to the place of beginning. Also granting the right to pass and repass to Lake Monomonac over a strip of land 10 feet wide across Lot A on Plan 38, Plan Book 45 record-ed in the Worcester District Registry of Deeds, Lot A being the premises conveyed to Norman W. Estabrook et ux by deed of Emma Stevenson dated August 27, 1962 and recorded with said Deeds in Book 4310, Page 166; said 10-foot strip being bounded on the south by Lot B on said Plan, on the west by Lake Monomonac, on the north by a portion of Lot A on said Plan and on the east by the road lead-ing from Winchendon to Rindge New Hampshire

For mortgagor’s title see deed recorded with the Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 37079, Page 98.The premises will be sold subject to any and all unpaid taxes and other municipal assessments and liens, and subject to prior liens or other enforce-able encumbrances of record entitled to precedence over this mortgage, and subject to and with the benefit of all easements, restrictions, reservations and conditions of record and subject to all tenancies and/or rights of parties in possession.Terms of the Sale: Cash, cashier’s or certified check in the sum of $5,000.00 as a deposit must be shown at the time and place of the sale in order to qualify as a bidder (the mortgage holder and its designee(s) are exempt from this requirement); high bidder to sign writ-ten Memorandum of Sale upon accep-tance of bid; balance of purchase price payable in cash or by certified check in thirty (30) days from the date of the sale at the offices of mortgagee’s attor-ney, Korde & Associates, P.C., 321 Billerica Road, Suite 210, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4100 or such other time as may be designated by mortgagee. The description for the premises con-tained in said mortgage shall control in the event of a typographical error in this publication.Other terms to be announced at the sale.U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-10Korde & Associates, P.C. 321 Billerica Road Suite 210 Chelmsford, MA 01824-4100(978) 256-1500Laprade, Beverly A., 14-019561, March 25, 2016, April 1, 2016, April 8, 2016March 25, 2016April 1, 2016April 8, 2016

(SEAL)THE COMMONWEALTH OF

MASSACHUSETTSLAND COURT

DEPARTMENT OF THE TRIAL COURT

2016 SM 001838ORDER OF NOTICE

To:Christine Maloney a/k/a Christine J. Maloney, Timothy Maloneyand to all persons entitled to the ben-efit of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 501 et seq.:Ditech Financial LLCclaiming to have an interest in a Mortgage covering real property in Winchendon, 38 Winter Street, given by Christine Maloney a/k/a Christine J. Maloney and Timothy Maloney to SLM Financial Corporation dated February 1, 2005 and recorded in the Worcester County (Worcester District) Registry of Deeds in Book 35626, at Page 388, and now held by the Plaintiff by assignment has/have filed with this court a complaint for deter-mination of Defendant’s/Defendants’ Servicemembers status.If you now are, or recently have been, in the active military service of the UnitedStates of America, then you may be entitled to the benefits of the Servicemembers Civil ReliefAct. If you object to a foreclosure of the above-mentioned property on that basis, then you or your attorney must file a written appearance and answer in this court at Three Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108 on or before May 2, 2016 or you will be for-ever barred from claiming that you are entitled to the benefits of said Act.Witness, JUDITH C. CUTLER, Chief Justice of this Court on March 15, 2016Attest:______________________________

Deborah J. PattersonRecorder

201504-0553-TEAApril 1, 2016

LEGALS

take some people longer than it does others, especially when you’re dealing with veterans who might have head injuries, but as long as they’re making the effort, we’re happy to have them here.”

“You have to remember too, we offer more than just coun-seling services,” said Lightfoot, who herself counsels veterans suffering from PTSD.

“A lot of them, and our res-idents are mostly in their 20s, have probably gone from mom and dad’s house right into the military where everything is pretty much done for you, so

we work with them on things like how to do a budget and encourage them to try and save a little bit every month. They’re only responsible for paying their own propane and water bills,” she explained.

Also not far from Winchendon is the 80-acre Veteran Victory Farm in Fitzwilliam. That working farm (“this year, we’re planting tomatoes, summer and winter squash, eggplant, cantaloupe and more,” said Lightfoot), has 16 beds which offer permanent housing in a substance-free environment.

“It’s no secret substance abuse is as much an issue among veterans as any other part of society,” acknowledged Lightfoot, “and we offer coun-

seling for veterans struggling with these issues.”

The organization, affiliated with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans also manages the Veteran Hospice Homestead in Fitchburg and Armistice Homestead in Leominster. The hospice is the first of its kind for veterans.

Lightfoot wound up counsel-ing PTSD patients after serv-ing from 1967-70 at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany and later received specialties in psychology and trauma.

“Back then, women weren’t allowed on the front combat lines, but I learned a lot about head trauma in Germany and came home, went to school, got my degrees and here we are,”

she explained.She came to an appreciation

of the military at an early age. “My dad was in World War II and when I was nine, he gave me his Purple Heart. I didn’t know exactly what that was, but I knew it was important to him, and that kind of set me up in terms of being interested in the military,” said the Canton, OH native.

State Rep. Jon Zlotnik(D) is impressed by the facility and what it does.

“NVTR is equipped to handle the needs for a wide range of battle-borne injuries and has been critically important to the veterans they serve,” he said.

Lightfoot isn’t all that far from retirement, but for now,

stressed, “I love what I do. These kids, and that’s how I look at them at my age, volun-teered to serve. It’s important the mission to serve them con-tinues.”

The organizational bro-chure declares, “no veteran should be discarded and nei-ther should their experience. Veteran Homestead facilities are designed to provide a safe haven for our wounded heroes to regain dignity and restore quality of life.”

“That sums it up,” said Lightfoot. “We can never do enough for them.”

More information is avail-able by calling (978) 353-0234 or by visiting VeteranHomestead.org

VETERANScontinued from page A1

Winchendon courier 12 Friday, April 1, 2016