DCR Recreational Advisory: Lake Dennison Day Use Area

WINCHENDON – Effective immediately, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has reopened all roads and parking areas of the Lake Dennison Recreation Area in the Town of Winchendon. These areas were closed due to flooding caused by US Army Corps of Engineers holding water at Birch Hill Dam.

Quabbin Photo Group meeting

BELCHERTOWN – The Quabbin Photo Group will meet Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main St., Belchertown. This month’s theme is “Camera Bag Show & Tell”—bring your bag and share what works (and what doesn’t). The meeting will also feature a member’s night, where attendees share favorite photos. Open to all who enjoy photography.

Golden Age Club meeting

ATHOL – The Athol Golden Age Club will hold a business meeting on April 28 at the Athol Senior Center at 1 p.m. The Athol Golden Age Club is open to everyone, 55 years old or over. Its purpose is threefold: to promote “re-creation” through challenging programs, friendship through regular meetings, and leisure activities such as the popular senior bus trips.

Jimmy Stewart: His Was A Wonderful Life

ATHOL – Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main St., Athol, on Thursday, May 1, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for a presentation on Jimmy Stewart by Frank Mandosa. This program features a one-hour film lecture with slides and video clips as well as movie trivia that looks at the life and career of one of the sentimental favorites of the 20th Century, Jimmy Stewart.

A high school film studies and English teacher, Mandosa has been giving film talks on a wide variety of topics since 2012 at public libraries, community centers, senior living facilities and private parties. In addition to co-hosting an award-winning local cable movie review show for eight years, he hosts the film podcast “Silver Screeners” and co-hosts a second called “Movies Across the Pod,” both available on Spotify, Apple, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

He always welcomes follow-up questions, film recommendations, or movie talk in general via email at silverscreenerspod@vmail.com.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Athol Public Library, this program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online with the library calendar: https://athol.librarycalendar.com/event/jimmy-stewart-his-was-a-wonderful-life-with-frank-%20mandosa or by calling, 978-249-9515.

An Evening with Henry David Thoreau

PHILLIPSTON – The Historical Society of Phillipston, Inc. and the Phillips Free Public Library will present “An Evening with Henry David Thoreau,” a living history interpretation of Thoreau’s life, on May 22, at 7 p.m. in the downstairs hall of the Congregational Church of Phillipston. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments served following the program.

Step back in time to 1859 and spend an evening with the famed 19th century writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau. Historian Richard Smith will portray Thoreau by reading selections from his essay “Walking” and responding in character as Thoreau to questions from the audience for an educational look into his life in 19th century Concord Massachusetts.

Smith, a public historian in Concord, Massachusetts, has portrayed Thoreau for over 25 years. He has performed as Thoreau across the country and Canada, but spends most of his time at Walden Pond in Concord. He has written 10 books, including two about Thoreau, and is a contributor of historical articles to Discover Concord Magazine.

The Historical Society of Phillipston, Inc. was established in 2000 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization. The purpose of the Society is to cultivate and encourage an interest in the history of Phillipston and to establish and maintain a museum.

This program is supported by a generous grant from the Phillipston Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.