The Common Thread - North Quabbin Community Coalition

The Common Thread
The Common Thread
A publication of the North Quabbin Community Coalition
Page 1
April 2015 ~ Volume 31, Issue 9
Heather’s Highlights
Next Coalition
Forum:
April 17, 2015
9-10:30 am
Dave Small from the
Athol Bird & Nature
Club and Millers River
Environmental Center
Athol-Orange
Elks Club
92 New Athol Road
Orange, MA
(Driving directions at
www.nqcc.org)
~
978-249-3703
[email protected]
251 Exchange Street
Athol, MA 01331
Next newsletter
submission
deadline is April 21!
Email details to
[email protected]
It is officially SPRING!!! This month’s forum was very full including a three part
agenda. Congressman McGovern joined us to share his passion for healthy
food access for all, and to ask for this region to please reach out to his offices
when support is needed (mcgovern.house.gov).
Deb Habib from Seeds of Solidarity (below) then shared wonderful hands on
approaches to
beginning a garden and
“growing food
everywhere!” I myself
will be borrowing her
techniques on
Tupperware gardening
and seeds labelled nonGMO. Those ideas and
more are all available on
seedsofsolidarity.org.
Lastly, our forum had a
presentation by Julie
Robinson from Quabbin
Harvest. They are NOW OPEN and looking for the community to really utilize
what they have to offer, and when appropriate, own shares. Their community
market site is at 12 North Main Street in Orange and products are sourced
from within the area whenever possible, including 50 producers within 35
miles! All are welcome to shop there. Visit quabbinharvest.coop for more
info.
Our electric survey is still available at nqcc.org, so please consider taking it
and sharing it with the masses. We hope to see you on April 17!
Thank you for all that you do,
Heather Bialecki-Canning
Executive Director
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The Common Thread
The United Arc Hosting Workshops on
theTransition to Adulthood
The United Arc will host two separate workshops on the
“Transition to Adulthood: Where is your child on the
Transition Timeline?” for family members and young people
with disabilities who are ready to plan for adulthood. The first
workshop will be held on April 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The
United Arc, 294 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA. The workshop will be repeated
on April 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The United Arc/GAAAFSN office, 361 Main
Street, Athol, MA.
This workshop is particularly relevant to students or young people with
developmental disabilities, their families and advocates or support persons.
Participants will learn about the transition process of entering adulthood,
including the roles of schools, parents, and DDS. The workshop facilitators will
be Stephanie Baldwin and Doreen Boyer from the Department of
Developmental Services. One-on-one advice from qualified professionals will
be available, as time permits, so make sure to register early.
Contact Melissa Davis at [email protected] or call 413-774-5558
x1042 for questions or to register . Anyone in the North Quabbin area may call
Jennifer Lemoine at 978-249-4052. You can also register on the web at
www.unitedarc.org.
Like us on
Facebook for
regular
updates on
NQCC
happenings
Free Cer tificate Course Offered to
Community Health Workers
The Outreach Worker Training Institute (OWTI) is offering a
free 80-Hour certificate training course for community
health workers in Worcester County funded by the
Fairlawn Foundation. The training location is at the Central
MA AHEC, 35 Harvard Street, Suite 300, Worcester. On-line registration is
required and is open until the end of March, 2015.
For questions, please contact: Tatyana Gorodetsky, M.Ed. (eq.), Program
Director of the Outreach Worker Training Institute, CM AHEC, Inc., at 508-5561332 or [email protected]. Visit http://www.cmahec.net/ for registration info
and schedule.
The Common Thread
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Greater Athol Area Advocates for Special Needs
(GAAAFSN) Scholarship Available
The Greater Athol Area Advocates for Families with Special Needs (GAAAFSN), in
affiliation with The United Arc, announces the establishment of its new
scholarship fund. There will be up to four educational awards given in amounts
up to $800 per award to cover tuition, books or other student fees. Eligible
applicants may apply in their senior or final year of public, collaborative or
technical high school or during their freshman and sophomore years of college or post-secondary
school. Priority will be given to students from communities in the North Quabbin area.
Potential grant recipients would include:
1. Individuals with disabilities pursing educational opportunities beyond high school,
2. Siblings of individuals with disabilities,
3. Individuals who have a parent or parents with disabilities,
4. Individuals planning a career that would support people with disabilities, such as careers in
education, human services, health care or technology and research with a disability focus
Applicants are asked to complete a short application form to be submitted along with one
reference and current transcript to the GAAAFSN Scholarship Committee postmarked no later
than April 6.
For application materials, contact GAAAFSN/The United Arc at 361 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331
978-249-4052 or 413-774-5558 x 1023 or email [email protected].
Award recipients will be announced @ the GAAAFSN Annual Meeting on May 15. Awardees will
receive $100 towards books and miscellaneous educational expenses and an additional amount up
to $700 to be paid directly to the school based on a letter of acceptance and current bill.
SCOPE of Pain Free Seminar
Safe and Competent Opioid Prescribing Education
A SCOPE of Pain seminar is being offered at Baystate Wing Hospital, 40 Wright
Street, Palmer, on April 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. This is a free seminar designed
for physicians, residents, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to help you
learn to safely and effectively manage patients with pain, when appropriate,
with opioid analgesics. The seminar includes essential clinical content on opioid
prescribing as well as state-specific information. Contact Joanne Judd, Baystate Wing Medical
Staff & CME Coordinator, to register at [email protected] or 413-284-5210.
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The Common Thread
Visit www.nqcc.org/events.html often for our
comprehensive Calendar of Events!!
The Farm School Adult Scholarships
Available for Learn to Farm Program
Scholarships are now available for Massachusetts’
first and only licensed private occupational school
for agriculture. The Farm School in Athol, is proud
to announce a new program to provide access to
whole-farm training to all qualified adult students,
regardless of means, for the 2015-2016 academic year. Privately funded grants
are now available to candidates who are eligible for federal Pell Grants or Segal
AmeriCorps Education Awards.
Since its founding in 2001, more than 100 student farmers have graduated from
The Farm School’s year-long Learn to Farm program for adults. The creation of
this program blazed a new trail for farmer training, filling a void previously
occupied by family farms. In the Learn To Farm program, student farmers are
instructed in operating a diverse farm for a full year, and in the process gain a
working knowledge of commercial organic vegetable production, animal
husbandry, forestry, carpentry, mechanics, business planning and marketing.
The Farm School reviews applications for its Learn to Farm program from
prospective students ages 18 and older on a rolling basis until the program is
full. Applications are currently being reviewed for the 2015-2016 year, which
starts on October 1, 2015. Once accepted, each student’s financial aid will be
determined. Visit http://www.farmschool.org/learn.php for more info.
Free 1/2 Day Fall Preschool Openings
for Families Living in Orange
Community Action’s Parent-Child
Development Center is offering free half day
preschool to families living in Orange, at 168
Athol Road in North Orange beginning in the
fall. Free, limited transportation is available and breakfast and lunch are
provided. Community Action also offers subsidized full day child care and free
home visiting programs for pregnancy to five years old. For more information,
call 413-475-1405.
The Common Thread
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Athol Royalston Regional School District
Kindergar ten Registration
The Athol-Royalston Regional School District will be holding Kindergarten
registration from April 6 through April 10. Pick up registration forms from any
elementary school or online at arrsd.org.
You will need an original birth certificate, certificate of immunizations, a copy of
your child’s most recent physical exam, and proof of residency (tax bill, utility bill,
cable bill, or lease agreement.)
At school, during registration, schedule a time for kindergarten screening on April 29 and 30. The
child must be five years of age before September 1, 2015. Pre-school students enrolled in the
district must also register!
Please note: Kindergarten students will be assigned to one of the elementary schools as soon as
possible. There is no guarantee that a child will go to a neighborhood school or school of choice.
Placement will be based on enrollment and class sizes. It is not necessary to bring children to
registration. If there are additional questions about registration, please call Sanders Street School
at 978-249-2410.
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Join the Free
TD Bank
Affinity
Membership
Program
Help raise money
for the NQCC by
opening an account
at TD Bank, or, if
you already have an
account with them,
letting them know
you want to join.
TD Bank will make
an annual
contribution to
NQCC based on the
average balance in
all NQCC members’
accounts.
Eligible accounts
include:




Checking
Money Market
Savings
Certificate of
Deposit
 IRA
Your accounts are
not affected in any
way by this
contribution.
For more info, visit
www.nqcc.org.
The Common Thread
Recent Spotlight Awards!
The North Quabbin Community Coalition recognized several
individuals in the area for their work to improve the quality of life
for those living in the North Quabbin region! Photos from top to
bottom: Jeanine and Paul Quader (with NQCC Board member,
Frances Graziano and NQCC’s Executive Director, Heather
Bialecki-Canning); Michelle Gallien; Geneva Lawson (with NQCC’s Matt Attesi);
McDonald’s Crew; and John Bruinsma (2nd from left with NQCC Board
members Lt. Elliot Higgins and Steven Raymond.) To nominate someone for
the NQCC Spotlight
Award, email
[email protected] with
Spotlight Award in the
Subject line.
The Common Thread
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Barbara Corey Award Nominations Sought
The 18th Annual Barbara Corey Award will be presented at the NQCC’s annual luncheon to be held
on June 19, 2015. We are asking for nominations for this important award. The award is named for
Barbara Corey, the first coordinator of the Coalition from 1984 until her retirement in 1997. Barbara
embodies the spirit of the Coalition because of her passion, her values, her commitment to
humanity and her love of the North Quabbin region. The award is presented to someone in the
North Quabbin Community who has gone above and beyond in their commitment to improving the
quality of life for those living and working in the region. To nominate someone, send us your name
and contact information, their name and a description of why you nominate them to:
[email protected] (please put Barbara Corey Nomination in the Subject line), or NQCC B. Corey Award,
251 Exchange Street, Athol, MA 01331, or fax to 978-575-0474. Visit www.nqcc.org/pdfs/corey.pdf
for an online form. The award will be given at the NQCC Annual Luncheon.
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Spring Training for
Ombudsman Volunteers
Are you
concerned about
the status of
elders and people
with disabilities in our community?
Do you consider yourself to be an
advocate, or have the desire to
develop advocacy skills? Do you have
a few hours a week to devote to
visiting residents living in local nursing
and rest homes and help them to
resolve issues affecting quality of care
and quality of life?
Franklin County Home Care
Corporation is offering a free LongTerm Care Ombudsman Spring
Training for Volunteers on April 15
through April 17 from 9:30 am to 3:30
pm at WestMass ElderCare, 4 Valley
Mill Road in Holyoke. Attend this free
training and develop the skills
necessary to serve as a volunteer
advocate for residents living in
nursing and rest homes in Franklin
County and the North Quabbin region.
Volunteers are particularly needed for
facilities in Shelburne Falls, Greenfield,
and Sunderland.
Interested parties must complete the
application process before attending
the training. Download the volunteer
application and CORI form (include a
copy of driver's license or other
government issued photographic
identification), complete, and return
to: Trevor Boeding, Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Program, Franklin
County Home Care Corporation, 330
Montague City Road, Suite 1, Turners
Falls, MA 01376. For more
information, contact Trevor at
413-773-5555 x2241, 978-544-2259
x2241 0r [email protected]. Visit
www.fchcc.org for more info.
The Common Thread
Music & Dancing to Benefit Cour t Service Center and
Seeds of Solidarity
Probate & Family Cour t
Enjoy some family
Assistance Available
friendly, alcohol-free
fun after the River Rat
Race on April 11 at 7:30
pm at Wendell's
famous Full Moon Coffee House,
Wendell Town Hall, 6 Center Street.
Proceeds benefit Seeds of Solidarity's
youth and community,
'Grow Food Everywhere'
programs in the North
Quabbin. Enjoy great
dancing to The Gaslight
Tinkers as well as the
famous dessert-o-rama! Learn more
at WendellFullMoon.org. If you are
interested in contributing to the bakesale table, contact
[email protected].
Athol Bird & Nature Club
All events take place at
the Millers River
Environmental Center,
100 Main Street, Athol,
unless otherwise noted. More
information is available at
atholbirdclub.org.
Scott Surner Recounts the "Big
Chicken Run" & ABNC Monthly
Meeting
April 8 @ 7:00 pm.
“Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
April 12, 19, and 26 @ 7:00 am.
Severe weather cancels.
Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Accessible Birding with Joe
April 14 from 8:00 to 10:00 am.
open to birders of all abilities. Call
ahead for wheelchair van access,
978-248-9491.
Quabbin Garden Club:
Ferns and Mosses
April 16 @ 7:00 pm.
The Court Service Center (CSC) and
Probate & Family Court will be
available at the Orange District Court,
One Court Square, Orange, on April
15, May 20 and June 17 from 9:00 am
to 12:00 pm. The CSC provides legal
information not advice in the
following areas: Probate and Family
Court: Divorce and custody-supportvisitation; child support and child
support modifications (litigants
whom have experienced a
substantial change in circumstances
should come in for assistance with
this as child support cannot be
modified going back); guardianship
of a minor; grandparent visitation;
and contempt. Housing Court:
general information; community
resources; transfers to housing court,
and motions/answers. District Court:
Section 35.
Nor th Quabbin Chamber of
Commerce Presents:
The Common Thread
Page 9
State Government Task Force Meetings
(for the North Quabbin Region)
Governor Charlie Baker
617-725-4005 or 888-870-7770 (in state)
Office of the Governor
Massachusetts State House, Room 280
Boston, MA 02133
Email: [email protected]
Senator Anne Gobi
617-722-1540
Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, and
Warwick
Massachusetts State House, Room 410
Boston, MA 02133
Email: [email protected]
Senator Stanley Rosenberg
617-722-1532
Erving, New Salem, Royalston, Wendell
Massachusetts State House, Room 320
Boston, MA 02133
Email: [email protected]
Representative Susannah Whipps Lee
978-895-9606
Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham,
Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, and Wendell
352 Main Street
Athol, MA 01331
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Congressman James McGovern
508-831-7356
34 Mechanic Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Website: http://mcgovern.house.gov/
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
617-565-3170
2400 JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
Website: http://www.warren.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Ed Markey
617-565-8519
15 New Sudbury Street
Boston, MA 02203
Website: http://www.markey.senate.gov
Substance Abuse Prevention: May 5 @ 10-11:30 am
NQ System of Care: June 15 @ 10-11:30 am
Childrens Health & Wellness: April 28 @ 10:00 am
Economic Development: April 22 @ 4:00 pm
NQCC Board of Directors
Chief Tim Anderson, President - Athol Police Department
Brian Gordon, Vice President - Mental Health Representative
Marc Ostberg, Treasurer - Hometown Bank
Chief R. Dana Cooley, Jr. - Petersham Police Department
Glenn Eaton - Montachusett Regional Planning Commission
Lynne Feldman - Franklin County Home Care Corp.
Frances Graziano - Community Representative
Michael Grimmer - Athol Memorial Hospital
Lt. Elliot Higgins - Salvation Army
Pat Moore - Community Representative
Steve Raymond - Athol Selectboard
Sharon Tracy - Quabbin Mediation
Jeanette Robichaud - Athol Area YMCA
Charles Winters - Community Representative
Coalition Membership
Membership in the Coalition is open to all agencies, religious
communities, business and industry, government officials, civic
groups and other interested individuals and organizations. The
Coalition holds monthly meetings (the third Friday of every
month except July & August) on relevant topics, facilitates
monthly task forces on critical local issues, publishes a monthly
newsletter, provides resource materials, networking services
and advocacy efforts on behalf of Coalition issues. The North
Quabbin Community Coalition is an affiliate of Valuing Our
Children. The Coalition is funded in part by the generous
contributions of members and its funders: Massachusetts
Department of Public Health; the Department of Children &
Families’ Community Connections; F/H REB School to Careers
Partnership, Town of Athol—North Quabbin Loan Fund;
Clinical & Support Options System of Care, and New England
Rural Health Roundtable.
North Quabbin Community Coalition
251 Exchange Street
Athol MA 01331
www.nqcc.org
Mission Statement: The North Quabbin Community Coalition is a community-wide alliance committed to improving the
quality of life for all those living and working in the North Quabbin since 1984.