Ice cream social to mark pavilion’s completion
NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization will host an ice cream social at the school’s new pavilion on Monday, Aug. 25, at 5:30 p.m. for students and their families to celebrate the pavilion’s completion.
Selectboard Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque said the pavilion finally crossed the finish line on Thursday after several years in the making. The pavilion marks the last project in a list of upgrades at the school playground including new swings, musical instruments, play structures and an improved shed.
A $15,000 award from the Community Preservation Committee and a $15,500 donation from the Northfield Kiwanis Club made the pavilion possible. General contractor Steve Roberto and Highway Superintendent Tom Walker brought these plans to life with the help of locals. In a phone interview on Friday, Jacque said she spotted six to 10 volunteers working on the pavilion every weekend.
When the school year kicks off, students will use the community space as an outdoor classroom.
Ed the Wizard coming to Warwick
WARWICK — Ed the Wizard will be at Warwick Community School to present his program, “Reading is Magic,” on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m.
According to Ed the Wizard, the performance will sneak reading skills into an “interactive magic performance” with comedy and suspense.
The performance is a collaboration between the Warwick Women’s Guild and the school. The Warwick Cultural Council helped fund the program through a $400 grant, according to Chair Linda Paquet.
Six new firefighters appointed in Northfield
NORTHFIELD — The Selectboard appointed six new firefighters on Tuesday, bringing the Fire Department’s membership to 31 firefighters.
Zach Zilinski, Jayden Hunter, James Greenlaw, Hunter Hillock and Nate Fuess of Northfield and JD Stockwell of Bernardston completed 12 weeks of recruitment training before being evaluated by the Fire Department and appointed by the Selectboard. The new recruits will earn $23.07 an hour, with terms expiring in 2026.
In a phone interview on Friday, Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III said he is proud of the new firefighters, adding that all six are excited to be official members of the department.
“They’ve done a great job,” Dunnell said.
Zilinski, Hunter and Stockwell each completed the four-year Northfield Junior Firefighters program.
“They stuck with it and that shows that they are in it for the right reasons,” Dunnell told the Selectboard on Tuesday.
After appointing the six new firefighters, Selectboard Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque thanked them for their commitment.
“It’s an incredible service to the town,” she said.