Here are brief thoughts on some of the events taking place around Franklin County and the North Quabbin area:
It’s good to see a new generation of community leaders stepping up to apply their energy to the Franklin County United Way campaign.
Liz Fisk and Amanda Abramson-Clarke, close friends who both have experience in marketing, have taken on the challenge of leading the umbrella charity that solicits hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations each year.
“We both grew up here, and we feel pretty confident with our ability to connect with residents in the community,” said Fisk, who works for WHAI & Bear Country and is the vice chairwoman of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Abramson, who works for Cohn & Company and whose mother was a former campaign co-chair, said it’s important to “fight for what’s right” — an echo of this year’s slogan, “Fight for Franklin County.”
“Everyone needs to understand how many things happen in this community because of United Way,” Fisk told the Recorder.
The annual campaign will officially kick off Aug. 28.
Two handymen are available to Erving residents over 60 through a grant awarded to the Senior Center. Participating residents are required to pay for materials, but the grant money pays for labor.
Senior Center Director Paula Betters said the $1,500 helps with projects like installing a grab bar for wheelchair users, or the installation of air conditioners or repairing stairs.
Betters has to reapply for the grant annually, and she said she plans to do so again this year.
It’s a nice service to assist with those smaller projects that may be beyond the abilities of an elder homeowner who hasn’t got DIY family members handy. Thus far this year, 13 people have utilized the program.
“We hope more people will use it,” Betters said.
Good news for small fry. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County will be able to expand its mentoring programs this year with an extra $30,000 from the state.
Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters had about 30 children in those grant-supported programs. This year the agency should be able to support about 45. How do you measure the importance of changing the quality and trajectory of some young person’s life through such mentoring?
Over its 105 years of existence, the Orange Armory has hosted government offices, clubs, classes, commissions, councils, community balls, beer drinking and breakfasts. Oh, yes, and it started its life as home to the local National Guard.
So, perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that soon the Armory may be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The building has been confirmed eligible for listing as a local historic place “for its historic and architectural significance,” according to Selectboard Clerk James Cornwell.
Such a designation will make the building eligible for federal preservation grants, which could prove invaluable as the building ages and needs repairs.
The Armory opened on Nov. 14, 1913. Until 1973, the building served as the headquarters for Orange and Athol members of the National Guard’s 26th Infantry Division, and was then sold to the town.
Let’s hope it does gain federal historic status — and the financial help to remain an active part of the town’s civic life.
In Franklin County, even the stray dogs enjoy our charity. In this case it is through the annual Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter fundraiser called Mutts in Need.
For the past half dozen years the shelter has raised up to $20,000 to care for the 200 or more dogs taken in. While some are returned to owners, many more have to be cared for — often at great medical expense — before being adopted.
“This is our biggest fundraiser for the shelter,” said Shelter Director Leslee Colucci. “All of the money raised goes directly to the care of the dogs and the operations of the shelter.”
The operation relies on volunteers, with two paid employees funded through the Franklin Country Sheriff’s Office.
“Ninety-eight percent of the work is all volunteer-based,” Colucci said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
And they couldn’t do it without your donations.