ORANGE — The town’s Selectboard voted unanimously last week to appoint Evangeline Cakounes as the newest officer of the Orange Police Department.
Police Chief James Sullivan explained Cakounes grew up on a cranberry farm on Cape Cod and is now working toward a master’s degree at Fitchburg State University. During last week’s Selectboard meeting, Cakounes was sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Blackmer in a ceremony attended by Sullivan and some of Cakounes’ fellow officers.
WENDELL — The town has scheduled a public auction of 3 Jackie Lane (off Wendell Depot Road).
The auction is slated for outside the Highway Garage at 10 a.m. on Sept. 25. It will be held rain or shine.
Auction items include office furniture, a dining table and chairs, space heaters, snow blowers and other surplus items.
WENDELL — The Wendell Cultural Council is now accepting applications for the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s annual funding cycle for fiscal year 2022. Programs to receive funding include those in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.
Applications must be submitted online between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15. Visit bit.ly/3DRyLQd to apply.
NEW SALEM — The New Salem Public Library plans to present “Write Outside Your Door,” a writing workshop/nature walk presented by writer, speaker and outdoor educator Corinne H. Smith from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 25. The event will be held at the library at 23 South Main St.
Before starting the extended nature walk, Smith will lead participants in some introductory exercises. During the walk, she will note features of interest and share tips on how to use journals and sketchbooks. Along the way, participants will use their senses to increase awareness of the natural world. Attendees will reconnect with nature on a personal level and come away with at least one piece of finished or in-progress writing.
For more information on Smith’s programs, visit corinnehsmith.com. Call the New Salem Public Library at 978-544-6334 to register for the program. Space is limited.
ATHOL — The North Quabbin Garden Club will start its fall programming on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. with a free presentation by horticulturist Denise Bennett of Maple Hill Nursery at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St. in Athol.
According to a press release from Co-President Pauline Alldred, the garden club meets on the third Thursday of each month. Masks are to be worn inside the Millers River Environmental Center and guests are advised to practice social distancing.
Bennett will discuss how climate change is affecting gardens in New England. How does it change the practices gardeners engage in with their home flower and vegetable gardens? What could gardeners be doing differently to be more successful as temperatures change, seasons become extended and there are extremes in rainfall and weather patterns? According to the release, Bennett will share her observations and some practical advice.
NEW SALEM — The 1794 Meetinghouse will present Brattleboro, Vt.-based duo Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Murphy and Tracy will perform traditional music from Canada, Ireland and more on fiddle, guitar and piano. The venue hopes to livestream the concert as well, and will provide updates at 1794meetinghouse.org/live-stream-2021, according to a 1794 Meetinghouse press release.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for teens between 13 and 17 years old, and children ages 12 and under will be admitted for free. Organizers ask that all attendees be vaccinated, as well as wear masks while inside the venue.
NEW SALEM — The New Salem Academy Museum, located in the Old Academy Building on the town common, will be open on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
ORANGE — There will be a joint installation of officers at American Legion Post 172, located at 40 Daniel Shays Highway, on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m.
ATHOL – The North Quabbin Community Coalition has opted to hold its Annual Luncheon Celebration virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 7 to ensure people’s safety.
A meal will no longer be provided. A celebration package will be mailed or delivered to attendees prior to the event to make it as interactive as possible. Anyone interested in attending should register before Oct. 1 at bit.ly/3nwJdXL.
After registering, people will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the event.