Mount Wachusett College receives donation from Vietnam Veterans of America

GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven and Veterans Services Director Robert Mayer welcomed Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 907 member Jim Benton, on March 13, who presented MWCC a donation from the Vietnam Veterans of American Massachusetts State Council.

“Chapter 907 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has been supporting Mount Wachusett Community College veterans for decades,” stated Robert Mayer, MWCC Director of Veterans Services. “Recently, at the local chapter’s urging, the VVA State Council has also provided support. I think it is wonderful how the area Vietnam Veterans are supporting other veterans as much as two generations younger!”

Chapter 907 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has been directly and indirectly supportive of Mount Wachusett Community College veterans for 20 years. Their annual donation to the scholarship, and the example they set in the community has helped inspire other organizations and individuals to follow suit. There are now six annual scholarships dedicated to veteran students.

Friends of the Quabbin meeting

BELCHERTOWN – The Friends of the Quabbin will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Belchertown United Church of Christ, located at 18 Park St. The meeting is free and open to the public. The Friends will share updates on the restoration of the historic Keystone Bridge in New Salem. Built in 1866, the bridge is in critical condition.

Athol Election voter deadline

ATHOL – The deadline to register to vote for the April 7 annual Town Election is March 28. In order to register to vote online, you must have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you currently have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card, use the online voter registration application to register, update your address, or change party affiliation at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/. Voter registration forms are available in the Town Clerk’s Office. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m.-8 pm; Fridays – closed. Voter registration forms are also located next to the drop box located in front of the Town Hall.

Sensory Friendly Touch-a-Truck

WINCHENDON – Join the Beals Memorial Library at the Old Murdock Senior Center on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a fun-filled community event that allows individuals to interact closely with a variety of trucks, emergency vehicles and more without the lights, sirens, and horns.

This is event is designed for individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs, and their families, regardless of age, and is a part of the Beals Library’s “See Beyond the Spectrum” Initiative. Noise reducing ear muffs/headphones and fidgets will be available for use if needed.

The Old Murdock Senior Center is located at 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. For more information or questions, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org/autism.

Mount Wachusett College presents ‘Operation Comedy’

GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is proud to present Operation Comedy, a stand-up comedy show in support of the MWCC Veterans Services. The event will take place on April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Theater at the Mount in Gardner.

Hosted by comedian Andrew Mayer, the night will feature a lineup of comedians from Boston: Nicholas Stubblefield, Kaitlin Buckley, Jesse Farris and Ryan Ellington.

Tickets are available for $21 for general admission and $11 for veterans and students. This event may not be appropriate for those under 17 years of age. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit MWCC Veterans Services, providing support for veterans transitioning from soldier to student, including funding for educational services, resources, and community-building initiatives.

Visit mwcc.edu/OperationComedy to purchase tickets.