Library to host course in handwriting analysis

PETERSHAM—Petersham Memorial Library will host Dr. Cynthia Crosson’s course Introduction to Handwriting Analysis from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on four consecutive Tuesdays: Feb. 25, March 4, March 11 and March 18. Registration is required by telephoning 978.724.3405.

The program, free and open to the public, was made possible by a grant from Petersham Cultural Council. Crosson explained that an individual’s handwriting can reveals traits of personality and provide insight 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 is certified in graphoanalysis by the International Graphoanalysis Society, has certification in graphology from the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, and is a member of the New England Society for Handwriting Analysis. She has presented workshops on handwriting analysis at conferences sponsored by those organizations as well as the American Association of Handwriting Analysts.

A resident of Petersham, Crosson has written books about child abuse, child welfare, and trauma as well as two children’s books that explain service dogs to children. She is professor emerita at Fitchburg State University after teaching for more than 25 years in the department of behavioral science. She received the prestigious Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship.

A psychiatric social worker with a doctorate in counseling psychology, she specializes in trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her interest in trauma and her own life experiences encouraged her work with veterans and service dogs. She serves the Whately Congregational Church as pastor.

Petersham Historical Society open house

PETERSHAM – The Petersham Historical Society at 10 North Main St., Petersham, will host an open house on Saturday, March 1, from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m., to welcome the new year. This event has become a tradition to invite guests to enjoy refreshments, friends and to see what’s new and old at PHS.

This year is the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War, which is being commemorated across the nation. A contingent of Minutemen marched from Petersham on the alarm of April 19, 1775, when the “shot heard ‘round the world” was fired in Concord. Some of Petersham’s Tories and Patriots are returning to greet the visitors and remember their stories.

There are two Revolutionary War muskets on display from that era. One young girl, Sarah Howe, watched the events unfold, and kept a diary that PHS has in its archives about the tumultuous times. Sarah promises to visit the open house to meet the guests.

For rebellion’s sake, the infamous Daniel Shays, whose crusade came to an end right here in Petersham, will also be visiting.

The mysteries of flax can be explored with Joe Choiniere, woodworker and artist. Two flax spinning wheels from the late 1700s to early 1800s were recently donated. Almost every home had a flax wheel in constant use in the old days. Every piece of clothing had to be handmade from start to finish, commencing with raising the sheep for wool, or growing flax plants to make linen.

Choiniere will do a show-and-tell about his quest to make a twig distaff for the wheels, made from the tip-top of a sapling tree. A distaff is the armature on which flax or wool is wrapped during the spinning process. Choiniere became intrigued with spinning wheels while working as property manager at Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow in Princeton, where he learned about many old-time practices.

Besides these honored guests, there will be a display of What Is This? for guessing what some mysterious items were used for. Visitors can bring their own mystery items, too. There are revitalized maps to view, some elegant velvet and silk vintage clothing, a reproduction print and history review of the renowned Petersham Morgan horse, who was said to be one of the finest horses of the centennial year of 1875, and many other objects and exhibits to enjoy. The event is free and open to everyone.

UMass Amherst fall 2024 Dean’s List

AMHERST – The following students were named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Students are appointed to the Dean’s List at the end of a semester in which they have completed a minimum of 12 graded credits and have earned a grade point average of 3.500 or better.

Athol – Emma Bacigalupo, Madison Colo, William Freeman, Cody Germain, Sarah Hall, Trisha Larios, Reily Polana, Lindsey Raymond, Ashley Rouleau, Ella Sutton, Danielle Swan, Jeremiah Teele, Samantha Williams and Sophia Woods

New Salem – Sarah Amzil, Natalie Apteker, Gareth Gordon-Halpern and Austin Paine

Orange – Liam Black, Colin Boyle, Sophia Chiodo, Astrid Conrod, Alexander Currier, Cathal Davis, Brianna DiCato, Ava Liberty, Erin O’Keefe, Michael Ploof, Shyla Senn and Timothy Stanley

Petersham – William Barnes, Percival Burch, Audrey Danielson, Nathan Legare and Marlena Niedzwiecki

Phillipston – Abigail Bennett, Gabriella Laughlin and Peter Stanley