(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 Newsstand: 75 cents No summer break for this staff BY JERRY CARTON COURIER CORRESPONDENT WINCHENDON — Yes, it’s still July and yes school doesn’t re-open for another month, but that doesn’t mean no one’s pre- paring for that next academic year. Summer school, some required, some suggested, and some attended because a stu- dent simply wants to be there, will be wrapping up next week in the middle school with nearly 30 kids enrolled in the five week-program, a week more than previous summers. Classes have run Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and while the usual courses like math and reading are being offered, so is cooking. “It’s great to have kids here who want to be here,” enthused Assistant Principal Jess Vezina. “Some kids love school.” Not just kids, either. So does Morgan St. Pierre photo Vezina. “There’s a real energy Courtesy photo here (in the middle school),” Banners are unfurled as the opening Cathy Teague, last year’s Student Government Association President and AmeriCorps VISTA, who was among she said, adding, “especially of school nears. the students who participated in the service trip to Costa Rica in May 2016. She is pictured volunteering at around now, around the end of week amidst a bustle of activity an animal sanctuary. This year she is a staff assistant with the service program. July and beginning of August, as the building is being readied I start to get really pumped for the start of school a month up and excited. I love middle from today. Desks, chairs, school. I always have.” file cabinets were scattered Vezina spoke earlier this Students find partnerships with Turn To MIDDLE SCHOOL page A12 community through MWCC Plenty to do at 32nd BY JERRY CARTON If you go to the Mount’s website, you’ll COURIER CORRESPONDENT read the Center, “promotes positive social REGION — It provides students with oppor- change and healthier more vibrant commu- tunities to perhaps find a passion, or maybe nities through innovative programming and annual fun day discover what they don’t like. That’s the partnership that benefit our community,” but Center for Civic Learning and Community it does so much more than that, Nicholson Engagement at Mount Wachusett Community assured. College and as a new academic year looms “We work hard to make sure each place- just a few weeks away, Shelley Errington ment is the right fit for that particular stu- Nicholson, the director of Community dent,” she pointed out. “We partner with Leaning acknowledged, “I’m humbled” by a wide variety of organizations throughout the success of the program. Turn To MWCC page A13 BOH discusses dust issue, touts Angel Program BY GREG VINE to the dust kicked up by cars lung tissue, and can cause can- File photo COURIER CORRESPONDENT passing my house. I’m here cer and premature death. The fire department will be on hand with its little firefighters’ activity. WINCHENDON — Russell to present an air quality com- Pratt said he has sent out BY GREG VINE and activities for local families Farm Road resident Ken Pratt plaint to the Board of Health samples of the dust for testing COURIER CORRESPONDENT to enjoy. appeared before the Board of and the town.” “to see if it contains any con- WINCHENDON — The 32nd The event has been sponsored Health at its meeting Monday In a written statement pre- taminants.” annual Family Fun Day and by Kiwanis of Winchendon sented to the board, Pratt said “We have no idea what’s in night to discuss the issue of Chili Cook Off takes place since its inception in 1984. the federal Environmental the dust that we and my grand excessive dust on the mostly tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 At the time the International Protection Agency has con- children are breathing,” he dirt thoroughfare. p.m. at American Legion Post Chili Society was looking for cluded that particulate matter said. “I can’t let my grand chil- 193, 295 School St. In addition an organization to take over dren play in the front yard,” has effects on breathing and Pratt also presented the to the chili competition, there said Pratt. “I can’t expose them respiratory systems, damages Turn To FUN DAY A13 Turn To BOH page A13 will be plenty of other vendors page Town Clerk preps for elections BY GREG VINE this week to those who have Tommy Tribandis. There COURIER CORRESPONDENT requested them. Others who is no Republican nomi- WINCHENDON — There would like an absentee ballot nee. Democratic state Sen. are 95 days left until the gen- may stop by the town clerk’s Ann Gobi, who represents eral election on Nov. 8, but office. the Worcester, Hampden, Winchendon voters will get The presidential contest Hampshire, and Middlesex a chance to use the town’s will be the big draw for the District, will face GOP chal- new voting machines in the Nov. 8 general election. In the lenger James Ehrhard. State Massachusetts State Primary 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Jon Zlotnik has no oppo- on Sept. 8. For Toy Town vot- incumbent Democrat Niki nent for his 2nd Worcester ers it will be a pretty dull pri- Tsongas is being challenged District seat. mary. State Rep. Jon Zlotnik, by Republican Ann Wofford. While there will be no early state Sen. Anne Gobi, and U.S. Tsongas defeated Wofford voting for the primary elec- representatives Niki Tsongas by a two-to-one margin in tion, LaJoie said Winchendon and James McGovern (whose 2014. The district includes voters will have 11 days prior districts split the town) all are Winchendon precincts 1A, 2, to the general election in Greg Vine photo running unopposed. and 3. In Precinct 1B, which which to cast a ballot. Town Clerk Judy LaJoie and Mike Carlson, representative for voting Town Clerk Judy LaJoie lies in the 4th Congressional “We don’t have to have early machine supplier LHS, lead a workshop for poll workers and other inter- says absentee ballots for the District, incumbent Democrat voting,” said LaJoie, “but the ested parties at the Senior Center at Old Murdock Tuesday afternoon. The primary have arrived at town James McGovern faces a state encourages us to do it. town’s new voting machines will get their first use at the Sept. 8 state hall and will be mailed out challenge from Libertarian Turn To ELECTIONS page A10 primary. LOCAL SPORTS WEEKLY QUOTE Local sci-fi conclave Are you ready for “We know truth, not only by draws crowd some football? reason, but also by the heart.” 6 5652510431 2 PAGE 9 PAGE 8 Blaise Pascal Friday, August 5, 2016 2 WINCHENDON COURIER Lt. Bryan Pace of Fitzwilliam is an officer with the Blue Angels “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, cer to join a previously selected Executive Officer on And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; the 2017 team. Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling Each officer was recommended for selection by mirth Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Dell Bull, and Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things ultimately approved by Chief of Naval Air Forces Vice You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and Adm. Mike Shoemaker, for final selection to the 2017 swung Blue Angels team. High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels My eager craft through footless halls of air... each year. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue “It is such a privilege to have so many talented I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace officers apply to be part of the Blue Angels tradition Where never lark or even eagle flew -- of showcasing the Navy and Marine Corps to the And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod American public,” said Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, flight The high untrespassed sanctity of space, leader and commanding officer for the 2016 team. “I Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.” am inspired by all of those who applied this year and we have an exceptional group to add to next year’s John Magee Jr., Royal Canadien Air Force team.” The Blue Angels select “finalists” to interview at PENSACOLA FL — U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration the team’s home base of Naval Air Station Pensacola Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced officers select- during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show ed for the 2017 air show season and among them is each year. The team makes selections at the conclu- supply officer Navy Lt. Bryan Pace of Fitzwilliam. He sion of that week. is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 101 “We were extremely fortunate to have so many (VFA-101), the “Grim Reapers,” at NAS Oceana, VA. qualified and motivated applicants apply for the He is a 2010 graduate of UMass Amherst, team,” said Lt. Matt Suyderhoud, right wing pilot and The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration applications officer for the 2017 team selection. “I am pilots, events coordinator, C-130 demonstration pilot, excited to see what next year’s team will be able to flight surgeon, supply officer, and administration offi- accomplish.” Murdock one of schools benefitting from grant BY JERRY CARTON and the bright future it brings. When the North Central pro- were already at MWCC, doing vides academic, career and COURIER CORRESPONDENT These grants will provide a gram began in 2011, Murdock dual enrollment.