DCR Recreational Advisory: Lake Dennison Day Use Area

WINCHENDON — Effective immediately and continuing until April, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has closed roadways within the Otter River State Forest and Lake Dennison Recreation Area in Winchendon due to flooding caused by US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) holding water at Birch Hill Dam, according to a statement from the DCR. This closure will be in place until the USACE releases enough water to lower the lake to summer levels.

Athol-Royalston Middle School Guitar Club receives grant

The Athol Royalston Middle School’s Guitar Club was recently awarded a $1,000 mini-grant by the Athol-Royalston Education Fund (AREF) to update the school’s collection of guitars. AREF is a non-profit organization focused on improving the local public school, raising money and distributing mini-grants to local teachers and community members for creative projects outside the school budget.

The Guitar Club was founded last school year by students Jay Hemingway and Gianna Kowalczyk and ARMS staff member Bill Thompson. The club is open to all ARMS students, meets Wednesdays after school, and typically has between 8-14 members attending. The Guitar Club is one of the growing number of after-school activities at ARMS.

Club member Aaron Mallette takes guitar lessons at City Music in Gardner, and suggested contacting them about purchasing new instruments with the grant funds. City Music is a full service music retailer, with locations in Gardner and Leominster, offering a large selection of instruments and lessons. City Music Owner Marc Rines worked with the Guitar Club to supply six new 3/4-scale guitars and gig bags to protect them, greatly exceeding the club’s expectations for what the funds could cover. The 3/4-scale guitars are smaller in size, and will make it easier for some of the youngest students at ARMS to learn and practice guitar.

Isabelle Spooner named to Dean’s List at Endicott College

BEVERLY — Endicott College, the first college in the U.S. to require internships of its students, is pleased to announce its fall 2023 Dean’s List students. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must obtain a minimum grade point average of 3.5, receive no letter grade below “C,” have no withdrawal grades, and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits for the semester.

Isabelle Spooner of Orange is among those named to the Dean’s List at Endicott College for the Fall 2023 semester. Spooner is majoring in Events Management. She is the daughter of Christina Spooner and Karl Spooner.

Cynthia Crosson to present course in handwriting analysis at Athol Public Library

ATHOL — Athol Public Library will host Dr. Cynthia Crosson of Petersham as she conducts a four-week beginner’s course in handwriting analysis from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on successive Mondays, starting March 18, registration required. The Athol Cultural Council has funded the course.

Participants will learn the basics of graphology or handwriting analysis. Crosson said that an individual’s handwriting likely reveals traits of personality and may provide insights into moods and attitudes of the individual producing handwriting. Graphology has been used by employers and in jury selection, criminology, psychological analysis, and other settings, Crosson explained.

Crosson holds a certificate in graphoanalysis from the International Graphoanalysis Society and has a certificate in graphology from the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation. She has presented workshops on handwriting analysis at conferences sponsored by those organizations as well as the American Association of Handwriting Analysts.

A member of the New England Society for Handwriting Analysis, Crosson served as a college professor in behavioral sciences for more than 25 years at Fitchburg State University. She has used handwriting analysis to understand both her former students and others during her long career.

Crosson founded Child Protection Institute at Fitchburg State and served as director there. She has consulted for schools, churches, and social agencies and offers workshops and training nationally and internationally. Dr. Crosson formerly maintained a private practice, Harvest Counseling and Consultation, specializing in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. She serves as pastor of Whately Congregational Church.