(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com Friday, August 2, 2013 Newsstand: 75 cents Building kayak launch on Millers delayed BY PATRICE HARRINGTON cally owned by the Federal are already existing trails and the back five feet so you can get down stone,” said Burns but Cloutier COURIER CORRESPONDENT Government but as a courtesy the plans aren’t to change or add addi- there and use the river. Right now exclaimed, “he said as much as we WINCHENDON — A project government is asking the tional trails but to add the canoe people are using it but they’re trip- need.” could not get started due to dis- Conservation Committee for a launches. ping over and falling to get down It was then that Burns agreements between some Request for Determination of Burns came back with, “I sup- the river. This is very important expressed another concern, “I can Conservation Committee mem- Applicability. port it, but I’m foggy as to who for the public’s safety. As of right just see we’re going to end up pay- bers. But as of Wednesday, a site Although the construction was owns the property and is this now the entry areas of the river ing for crushed stone which is visit has been scheduled, and just supposed to start this past Monday something that they would like to are difficult to get to and someone fine.” perhaps, there might be issues the committee could not bring it to do?” could potentially get hurt.” The decision to create what resolved. At the actual meeting a vote because some members did- Cloutier,who has worked closely In addition to the canoe launch- would be an addition to the town is July 25 ConCom member Lionel n’t feel comfortable starting the with The Blue Trails Group said, es there is a plan to put in a kiosk now delayed due to the inability of Cloutier, who has been working process without reviewing the “I’ve talked to DCR and the Army with a map showing the launching committee members to come to a alongside the Army Corps of sites first. A site visit, according to Corps of Engineers and both have sites. This can be funded by the vote. Provided the site visit goes Engineers and the Millers River Cloutier, was scheduled said fine.” trust fund. The Blue Trails group well the renovation will allow not Blue Trails Group, to make the Wednesday, July 31. Cloutier reiterated that they will be mapping the river this only town members but also Millers River easier to access for “I’d really like to see some plans planned on starting the project September so that the entry and campers and hikers from different those who want to kayak or canoe, on it though because what I’m this past Monday so they can fig- exit points are clearly labeled. areas to utilize the river in a safe gave a report. The proposal is to envisioning is something like you ure out the layout when Burns Mabardys, a local washed sand way. The improvement to the install canoe and kayak launch know the trails at Mount interjected with, “Yeah, but you’ve and gravel distributor, will be gra- Winchendon end of the Millers sites from Bushey Bridge on River Washington you know how nice got to have a plan before you start ciously donating 15 cubic yards of River could be an exceptional Street, a favorite fishing site near they do those things,” said Scott digging.” crushed stone to the project so that development so family and friends the town’s transfer station and Burns. Cloutier came back with. “Get the launching sites do not wash have a healthy activity to partici- sewage treatment facility. The A fellow commissioner David the ramp started, get the parking away. pate in during the summer land Millers River is on is techni- Whitaker informed Burns these area started by moving the stones “15 yards just isn’t a lot of months. Winchendon girl finalist in competition BY HEATHER PERREAULT COURIER CORRESPONDENT STURBRIDGE — Vonnah Pelto, a Winchendon citizen is living proof that a small town person can still make her dreams come true if you work at it and want it badly enough. Vonnah was always into fashion as well as helping out family and friends, which helped her create the perfect formula to launch her modeling dreams. Monday, July 22 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge Vonnah was entered in the National American Miss pag- eant. There were five different age Heather Perreault photo Students representing Monty Tech at the recent SkillsUSA 49th annual National Skills and Leadership Conference groups within this pageant: ages 4- Vonnah Pelto is going to California for held recently in Kansas City, MO. 6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18. the next competition Vonnah was in the teen age group of 16-18, which had approximately Vonnah’s grandmother, father, 200 competitors, 100 from aunt, cousin, her beloved Massachusetts and the other hun- boyfriend, and with her in spirit Monty Tech captures National dred from Connecticut. The was her sponsor Mike from Rite Sturbridge Host Hotel was filled Way LLC Transportation. with guests all waiting patiently to Most of the competitors in watch the pageant. Vonnah’s age group wore make- SkillsUSA office for second time Within the audience were seated Turn To PAGEANT page A11 FITCHBURG — For the second time in a few Westminster, who placed ninth in extemporane- years, a Monty Tech student has captured a ous speaking. 29TH ANNUAL national officer slot at the SkillsUSA 49th annual Seven Monty Tech students received National Skills and Leadership Conference held President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Only 17 MASSACHUSETTS STATE CHILI recently in Kansas City, MO. students from Massachusetts received the above Brittany Velez of Fitchburg, a senior dental awards. Winners include: Cassie Campbell of assisting major, won a slot as national officer- Fitchburg, gold standard; Jordan Melendy of COOK-OFF & FAMILY FUN DAY elect. She attended national officer training the Lunenburg, silver standard; Jessica Shattuck of week of July 29, where she was appointed to an Fitchburg, silver standard; Brandi Richard of Saturday, Aug. 3 officer position. She is currently finishing a one- Gardner, bronze standard; Gissaury Rodriguez of 11 a.m.-4 p.m. year stint as president of the organization’s state Leominster, bronze standard; Taniya Tucker of Adults: $8 chapter. Fitchburg, bronze standard; and Brittany Velez of Children under 12: $1 Recent graduate Emily A. Westerback of Fitchburg, bronze standard. Holden earned a silver medal in the advertising Placing above 10th place in the skills competi- Help Wanted Band, activities for chil- design competition. Valedictorian of the Class of tion include: Hunter Manley of Phillipston, auto- dren, Petting Zoo, Little Miss Hot Sauce 2013, she will be attending Worcester Polytechnic motive service technology; Mikel Cravatta of and Little Mr. Chili Pepper Contest, Institute in the fall. Winchendon and Mitchell Gamache of Gardner, crafts and vendors, fun for everyone! Other Monty Tech students placing in the top 10 digital cinema production, and Ryan Perenzin of And this year: Touch a Truck! in the nation include Elizabeth Raymond of Lunenburg and Derick Kay of Fitchburg, 3D visu- Athol, a recent graduate, who placed seventh in alization & animation. early childhood education, and Olivia Frawley of Golf as a path Jimmy Fund: to scholarships BY JERRY CARTON Cyndee LaFreniere. Not just the games, the funds COURIER CORRESPONDENT On Thursday, Aug. 15 the WINCHENDON — Caring for Winchendon School Golf Club will BY JERRY CARTON Farber Cancer Institute, and on team was fast closing in on the COURIER CORRESPONDENT and nurturing kids, not just his, be the site of the first Lawrence that score, Winchendon has been $1,000 mark, halfway to their but those of this and surrounding Chagnon Memorial Tournament WINCHENDON — The Jimmy hitting a whole lot of home runs annual goal of $2,000. The boys communities. That’s the way and the proceeds raised will go a Fund. To be sure, it’s about base- in recent summers. team has gotten started with Lawrence “Pepe” Chagnon lived long way to awarding one scholar- ball and softball, but those In both 2011 and 2012, the local their efforts as well. his life, and that’s why his own ship for excellence in music and games are far secondary to the softball team raised more than For their efforts last summer, children are honoring his memory sports to a graduating student primary reason local youngsters $2,000 ($2,046.95 last year and the girls were rewarded with by creating a scholarship fund for from Murdock High School and are competing this summer. $2,005.95 the previous year) and tickets to go to Fenway Park and not one, but two schools. because, Narragansett Regional High What the season is really about by the conclusion of their car watch the Red Sox in action. “my Dad believed in the concept of School. is raising money for the Dana- wash last Saturday at the Clark paying it forward,” said daughter Memorial YMCA, this year’s Turn To FUND page A11 Turn To SCHOLAR page A11 SPORTS WEEKLY QUOTE LOCAL “Blessed are those who can give Dance camp Santini earns without remembering, and take standing without forgetting.” PAGE 2 Princess Elizabeth Asquith 6 56525 10431 2 PAGE 10 Bibesco 2 WINCHENDON COURIER Friday, August 2, 2013 MURDOCK ANNOUNCES FINAL HONOR ROLL WINCHENDON — Murdock DeHays, Jeremy Diaz, Kaileen Christopher Michaud, Mena Courtney Simmers-Swanson, and Honors: Alexander Emerson, and Middle School and Murdock High Dibble, Ariana Dietz, Adam Salame, Emily Semenza, Alan Derek Waid.