Nominations open for 18 Under 18 Awards
SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts is accepting nominations for its 18 Under 18 Class of 2026, an annual awards program that recognizes exceptional young people who demonstrate innovative spirit, leadership and community involvement.
The 18 Under 18 Awards, presented by Teddy Bear Pools and Spas, celebrate students who are making a difference in their schools and communities while setting an inspiring example for their peers. Honorees will be recognized at an awards celebration on Monday, May 18, at Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House in West Springfield.
“We know there are incredible young leaders across our region whose achievements often go unrecognized,” Amie Miarecki, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, said in a statement. “The 18 Under 18 Awards give our community the opportunity to lift up those students, celebrate their hard work and show them that their leadership and service truly matter.”
Eligible nominees must be 18 years old or younger and attend school in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire counties; the Tantasqua, Quabbin or Quaboag regional school districts; or the state of Vermont. Nominations may be submitted by teachers, mentors, coaches, parents or community members.
Each nomination requires an application with an optional supporting letter of reference and/or submission, such as a video or artwork. Finalists will be selected for interviews.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 13. Nominations for the 18 Under 18 Class of 2026 can be submitted at tinyurl.com/18Under18Nominations.
DCR hiring lifeguards and seasonal staff
BOSTON — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is recruiting lifeguards, pool and waterfront staff, and water safety instructors for the upcoming summer 2026 season.
Positions are available at DCR’s 32 guarded beaches, 24 swimming pools and two wading pools, and offer hourly wages ranging from $22 to $27. An early sign-on bonus of $500 is available to candidates who submit a hiring packet with supporting documentation within three weeks of getting an offer, or by April 30, whichever comes first. Additional retention bonuses will be available to staff who work through the pool or waterfront season.
To apply for a lifeguard position, candidates must be at least 16 years old by their date of hire, complete lifeguard training, and be certified in first aid and CPR. Free lifeguard training classes are offered by DCR through May for candidates who commit to working before the start of the summer season.
For more information on the available trainings, visit DCR’s lifeguard webpage or contact Eric Hammermeister-Kahn, director of pool and waterfront safety training, at Eric.Hammermeister-Kahn@mass.gov.
DCR will open its 81 designated swimming areas on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25), and the season will run through Sunday, Aug. 30. Lifeguard services will begin at several early-start beaches throughout the parks system on May 23 and continue with weekend coverage until mid-June, when coverage will be provided seven days a week and expand to additional waterfronts. All DCR pools open in June.
Most of DCR’s pool and waterfront positions are seasonal, with a 40-hour workweek, including weekends and holidays. Limited part-time lifeguard and instructor positions (up to 20 hours per week) may also be available. To learn more about available pool and waterfront positions or to apply for open positions, visit mass.gov/guides/dcr-lifeguarding.
Fund seeks donations to offer home heating assistance
CANTON — The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is appealing to residents and businesses to support its 41st annual “Give the Gift of Warmth” campaign, as freezing temperatures and continued cost-of-living pressures drive an increase in applications for emergency heating assistance.
The fund provides energy assistance to Massachusetts households that, because of a temporary financial crisis, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and are not eligible for state or federal energy assistance programs. The annual campaign is a cooperative effort among the fund’s 18 sponsoring energy companies, the public and the corporate community, with a goal of raising $500,000 and helping an anticipated 1,200 households.
“The unusually cold winter season, combined with continued cost-of-living pressures, has made it harder for many households to make ends meet,” Justin Stearns, chair of the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, said in a statement. “The Good Neighbor Energy Fund exists for families who are trying to do everything right but still find themselves in a short-term crisis. Our sponsoring energy companies recognize this reality and are stepping up again this year. Donations in any amount help provide warmth and stability to neighbors across the commonwealth.”
Since its inception, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund has raised more than $25.5 million and helped more than 97,500 households stay warm. Residents and businesses can support the campaign by donating online at magoodneighbor.org or by mailing a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” to Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021-1408.
Massachusetts residents seeking assistance can visit their local Salvation Army at salvationarmyma.org or call 800-334-3047 (area codes 339, 351, 508, 617, 774, 781, 857, and 978) or 800-262-1320 (area code 413).
43 fire service leaders complete training program
STOW — Forty-three fire service leaders from across Massachusetts, including Montague Center Fire Chief Luke Hartnett and Wendell Fire Chief Matthew O’Donnell in Franklin County, graduated Tuesday from the 31st class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program.
The four-month, tuition-free program for new chief officers and chief officer candidates is delivered by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Through classroom instruction, out-of-class assignments and student presentations, the course delivers multifaceted training in the managerial aspects of leading a municipal fire department.
“The Chief Fire Officer program is a tremendous opportunity for new chiefs and rising officers,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, who graduated from the program in 2016, said in a statement. “The rigorous instruction in such a wide variety of topics will help these graduates provide the leadership that their departments and communities deserve. Completing the program is a major accomplishment and I want to congratulate all of them on their initiative and dedication to professional development.”
Topics covered by the Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program include human resource management, ethics, executive leadership, governmental and organization structures, information management, customer-focused strategic planning, legal issues, budgets and public finance, community awareness, media relations and labor relations. The curriculum helps fire chiefs improve their ability to lead and manage personnel, understand employees’ needs and problems, communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and leverage inter-agency cooperation.
Video of the ceremony is available on the Department of Fire Services’ YouTube channel.
DCR camping reservations open Feb. 18
BOSTON — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation will start accepting reservations for the 2026 camping season on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m. Camping at DCR’s 25 campgrounds will begin in April and continue through October.
“Camping at a DCR park is a cherished tradition for families and friends from all over — many of whom return to the same campground year after year, and in some cases for decades,” DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle said in a statement. “Spending time together outdoors strengthens relationships, creates lasting memories, and helps foster the vital connection between people and nature, along with a shared responsibility to care for these special places.”
Last year, DCR accepted nearly 65,000 camping reservations at parks across the state.
Campers should note the following prior to booking a reservation:
- Reservations are available up to four months in advance of arrival.
- Same-day reservations are available until 2 p.m. daily through ReserveAmerica.
- Campers should fill out all required fields of the reservation application at the time of booking to ensure a smooth arrival.
- Visitors without a reservation are not allowed in campsites; however, day-use areas are available for gathering and outdoor activities.
- All pets must have physical proof of rabies vaccination. Entry may be denied at check-in if paper verification cannot be provided.
A list of DCR campsites can be found at mass.gov/camping-at-massachusetts-state-parks/locations. Campsites vary in offered accommodations, including showers, flush toilets, and RV water and power hook-ups.
Cabins are available at the Mohawk Trail State Forest. More information is available at mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-cabin-and-yurt-camping.
Quabbin Photo Group to host talk on wildlife tracking for photography
BELCHERTOWN — The Quabbin Photo Group will host a presentation by Jack Bonafini, outdoor education specialist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, on Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State St. Bonafini’s presentation will focus on tracking deer, designed especially for photographers.
With nearly a decade of experience in the Hunter Education and Learn to Hunt programs, Bonafini brings field knowledge and practical insight into deer biology, habitat, food preferences and tracking techniques. His presentation will provide attendees with a better understanding of deer behavior and movement patterns, along with real-world strategies for reading signs and interpreting the landscape.
The Quabbin Photo Group welcomes anyone with an interest in nature photography, whether beginner or experienced.
FoodSource Hotline available
EAST BOSTON — Massachusetts residents who struggle to afford food can call Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to be connected to resources.
Trained counselors help with applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), share information about the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), connect families to free meals for children, and locate emergency food programs like community meals and food pantries. The hotline also provides referrals to other federal nutrition programs, like Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
The hotline provides confidential, free support, and is recommended by the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for assistance, available in more than 180 languages.