DCR Recreational Advisory: Lake Dennison day use area

WINCHENDON – Effective immediately and continuing until further notice, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has closed the Lake Dennison recreation area in the Town of Winchendon due to flooding caused by US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) holding water at Birch Hill Dam. This closure will be in place until the USACE releases enough water to lower the lake. Flooding is expected to affect the picnic area, beach, and sections of the Lake Dennison Campground throughout the week.

Cemetery Division notice

The Town of Athol, Department of Public Works – Cemetery Division, is requesting that all baskets and winter arrangements be removed from town cemeteries before Wednesday, April 23, to allow the department to clean up the cemeteries for spring. Anything left on the lots after this date will be considered unwanted and will be disposed of. The department also requests that new flowers and arrangements not be placed on lots until after Friday, May 23. The public’s cooperation is appreciated.

Harvard professor to speak on Frederick Douglass

PETERSHAM – Professor Cornell William Brooks will give the keynote speech, “From Petersham to Port-au-Prince: Frederick Douglass’ Arc of American Abolition” for the Petersham Historical Society’s annual meeting on Friday, April 25, at the Petersham Town Hall. The annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. and Brooks will begin his presentation at 7 p.m.

Frederick Douglass was one of the greatest abolitionist orators of his time, as he traveled across the United States and Europe on his speaking tours, advocating for freedom. He was born enslaved in Maryland and made a daring escape across the Mason-Dixon line to begin his passionate lifelong dedication to ending slavery.

His speaking tours across the state of Massachusetts touched many towns, but very few people realize he rallied in Petersham, at town hall, in 1844.

Brooks, is a Harvard professor, lawyer, minister and former president and CEO of the NAACP. He is the recipient of the Harvard Kennedy School Innovations in Teaching Award.

This lecture will speak to the ways in which Douglass’ visit to Petersham is connected to a sweeping arc of abolitionist work that yet illuminates current dilemmas. Douglass was an important part of the role that rural New England played in the abolitionist movement, helping to tip the political scales against slavery. Learning about Douglass’ abolitionist philosophy and the example he set can inspire the moral and historical imagination to contemplate what anyone can do to honor his legacy in our present times.

This program has been funded in part by a generous grant from the Petersham Cultural Council. It is free and open to everyone. The Petersham Town Hall is located at 3 South Main Street in Petersham.

The Petersham Historical Society can be contacted at peterhamhistorical@gmail.com.

South Athol Church Suppers Return

ATHOL – The first of five monthly South Athol United Methodist Church suppers at 65 Morgan Ave. will begin on Saturday, April 26, with chicken and biscuits with gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, fresh dinner rolls and the popular homemade pies for dessert. All prepared and served family-style by experienced kitchen helpers, many who are Serve Safe-certified.

Reservations are required and tickets are now $15 each for adults; children ages 12 years and up are $6, and children under 12 years are free, for the familiar 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. settings and available by calling 978-249-9212. Please Note: When making reservations, please specify if they are for eat-in or takeout, as this will simplify it for servers to accommodate all diners.

Four more suppers are also scheduled; on May 17 the pot roast of beef is on the menu. Please consider treating your dad for a belated Father’s Day Weekend with the ever-popular Swedish Meatballs on June 21, when, for a change of pace, he can anticipate enjoying strawberry shortcake for dessert.

After a short pause during the hot summer months, the remaining suppers return with homemade pie selection for dessert – baked ham on Sept. 20, and braised beef on Oct. 18. This will conclude the 2025 supper season. There will be no scheduled supper in November because of the Thanksgiving holiday.