North Quabbin Notes, July 4

Published: 07-03-2023 2:02 PM
Sound Journey with Nirmal Chandraratna

WENDELL—On Tuesday, July 11, at 7 p.m., the Wendell Meetinghouse will host a Sound Journey event, organized by Nirmal Chandraratna. Tickets are $15, sliding scale available, and available at https://tinyurl.com/bdeu3ju7

A Sound Journey is a musical experience drawing elements of ritual and sound healing together to create a dynamic, transformative environment. Participants are invited to connect with their intentions, both for themselves and for the world, and then let them take flight as the music begins. Layered textures of the voice, cello, and world percussion will weave a tapestry of melody and mantra.

Chandraratna is a performer, facilitator and yoga/meditation teacher with a passion for nurturing connection to spirit, community, and one’s deeper self through music and wisdom practices. Using the voice, cello, world percussion and other instruments, he creates multilayered music for Sound Journeys, Kirtan, meditation, and works for communal performance.

For more details about upcoming Wendell Meetinghouse events, visit https://wendellmeetinghouse.org/ or contact Court Dorsey at court@crocker.com or 413-325-7587.

Meetinghouse annual meeting, Community Spirit Award for Dan Keller

WENDELL—On Sunday July 9, from 3-5 p.m., the Friends of the Wendell Meetinghouse will honor Dan Keller with the first Community Spirit Award at its public annual meeting at 1 Morse Village Road, on the Common in Wendell.

The program will feature world class chromatic harmonica by Doug Tanner, accompanied by Garrett Sawyer of the Gaslight Tinkers. Festivities will also include a rare showing of the 16mm film ”Quasi at the Quackadero,” curated by Keller and the Green Mountain Post Films Records,a zany award-winning cartoon created by Keller’s colleague Sally Cruikshank while under the tutelage of R. Crumb.

The event is free and open to the public and will offer foods, wine and cheese, and an update on the renovation and programming at the Wendell Meetinghouse, with opportunities for public input.

Keller will receive the Friends of the Wendell Meetinghouse 2023 Community Spirit Award” for outstanding service to the Meetinghouse, the Town of Wendell and the greater cultural community. The award recognizes Keller’s recent retirement from the Wendell Selectboard, and his lifetime achievement as film-maker and curator of Green Mountain Post Films and Records. His showing of ”Quasi at the Quackadero”will mark the initiation of the Meetinghouse as a film venue.

The Wendell Meetinghouse initiated programming in its renovated space, beginning in September 2021 with its pandemic-safe 175th birthday party, followed by concerts, poetry readings, weddings, memorial celebrations and Spirit Circles.

The annual meeting will also include a visioning session, in keeping with the Meetinghouse mission to meet the needs and creative interests of the greater Wendell community. For more information, call 413-325-7587 or contact court@crocker.com.

Petersham resident named to President’s List at Dean College

FRANKLIN—Sarah Graeff of Petersham has earned a place on the President’s List for the Spring 2023 semester. Students named to the President’s List have demonstrated a serious commitment to their studies while at Dean College.

Vote by mail ballots available for Athol Special Town Election

ATHOL—Vote by Mail ballots are available for the July 31, Special Town Election in Athol. Voters must submit a written application or notice to the town clerk’s office. Information and applications are available on www.athol-ma.gov under “Election Information” and in the town clerk’s office.

Applications to receive a mail-in ballot for the Town Election must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 24.

For further information, call the town clerk’s office at 978-721-8445 or email vote@townofathol.org.

]]>