Make-a-Bed Competition at Fouth Fridays

ATHOL — A Make-a-Bed Competition will be held at the Athol Fourth Fridays on Friday, Aug. 25, in downtown Athol at 6 p.m. This is a fundraiser for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Dew Work Incubator program for aspiring cannabis employees

ORANGE — Morning Dew Cultivars, an artisan garden and curing library, will hold a September/October Dew Work Incubator program providing free technical training to aspiring cannabis industry employees residing in the Pioneer Valley.

Dew Work Incubator is a collaborative professional development program designed to introduce key skills that will help participants to achieve their cannabis career goals. The curriculum is beginner-friendly yet navigates cutting-edge topics including irrigation strategy, plant-virus prevention and curing techniques. If you're curious about the tools, methods and strategies used in commercial cannabis production, and could benefit from observing commercial cultivation equipment inside live production rooms, please email angela@morningdewmass.com for more info + details on how to register for the program.

On-site visits in Orange are slated for Sept. 13, 20, 27 and Oct. 4. The deadline to apply is Sept. 6.

Reading and author talk with Dean Cycon

ATHOL — Author Dean Cycon will read from his new book, ”Finding Home,” and will talk about his research and motivation for writing the book. This event will take place on Sept. 7, at 6:30 p.m.

”Finding Home” is a tale about a group of Holocaust survivors returning to their hometown of Laszlo, Hungary. The narrative follows the traumatized group as they struggle to reintegrate into society, with a particular focus on young pianist Eva. Battling with her trauma and memories, Eva endeavors to reclaim her former life before the Nazi occupation. However, many of their homes have been sold or re-purposed, creating further hurdles in their attempts to rebuild their lives.

Cycon is an author, lawyer, human rights advocate, and social entrepreneur who has lived and worked in over 60 countries. A passionate explorer of culture and history, he seeks out unexamined corners that illuminate the human condition. He has previously published ”Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee,” which was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Travel Essay by the Independent Publishers Association and has been translated into Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. Cycon lives in western Massachusetts.

Cycon is dedicating all royalties from the sales of his novel to supporting elderly Holocaust survivors. The Friends of the Athol Public Library will have copies of the book available for purchase at this event. Cash or check will be accepted as payment. Free and open to the public and registration is required. Visit https://www.athollibrary.org/ for more information.

Second Chance Animal vaccination clinics

ATHOL — Second Chance Animal Services will hold a vaccine clinic on Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-noon. at Silver Lake in Athol. Another vaccine clinic will be held on Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-noon, at 18 Water St. in Orange.

Rabies vaccines will be available for $5, distemper/Parvo vaccines will be $5 and microchips are $22. Athol/Orange residency is not required to register. Visit www.secondchanceanimals.org to register.

New Salem Zoning Board of Appeals seeks members

NEW SALEM — The ZBA is looking for a third member for its board. Meetings are quarterly and as needed for variance hearings or hearings on an appeal from a decision of the Building Inspector. The member is appointed by the Selectboard. Interested parties should contact Amy Fagin at amifagin@gmail.com.

Elected official vacancies in Erving

ERVING—The Town of Erving would like to announce one vacancy on the Recreation Commission and one vacancy on the Planning Board. These vacancies are for elected positions. In accordance with MGL Chapter 41, Section 11, the Select Board is seeking interested residents to serve in these positions until the Annual Town Election in 2024. To be considered, an interested person must be a registered voter of the Town of Erving.

The Planning Board is a five-member elected board that guides the development of Erving by serving as the special permit and site plan review authority under the zoning bylaw. The board also administers the provisions of the subdivision control regulations. The board plays an important role in reviewing the zoning bylaw, proposing edits, and holding public hearings for voters before any revisions are presented at Town Meeting.

The Recreation Commission is a five-member elected board that provides youth sports, recreational programs, and special events for Erving residents. The commission does so while overseeing the use and development of the town’s five parks and playgrounds.

If interested, send a written letter of interest that identifies the position interested in serving in and that includes name, address, and contact information. It may be helpful to include an explanation of education, training, experience, and other interests that would lend itself to the position sought.

Letters of interest are due by Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Letters can be sent by mail to:

Erving Select Board

12 East Main Street

Erving, Massachusetts 01344

Or by email to volunteer@erving-ma.gov.

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