Poppy drive starts May 5

ORANGE — The Orange American Legion Auxiliary Unit 172 will hold its annual poppy drive at the Orange Walmart from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 5, May 6 and May 12.

The American Legion recognizes the importance of honoring the fallen and supporting the living who have worn this nation’s uniform, which is why the organization called upon Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day.

According to the Orange American Legion Auxiliary Unit 172, National Poppy Day broadens a tradition dating back to the American Legion Auxiliary’s first National Convention in the early 1920s, when the red poppy was adopted as the American Legion’s memorial flower. Today, American Legion Auxiliary members distribute millions of poppies annually across the country in exchange for donations to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans.

Historical Society to hold spring meeting, elections

ORANGE — The Orange Historical Society will hold its spring meeting and elections at Witty’s Funeral Home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10.

Members will hear the annual report and receive an overview of plans for the coming season’s activities. Society President Kathy Schiappa will chair the business meeting.

Plans are underway to open the society’s museum for the season on June 4. The society’s building, the French-Weymouth House, is home to the Grout steam automobiles and several exhibits reflecting centuries of Orange history. It contains 20 rooms, in addition to halls, a furnace room and a three-story barn. Many members have “adopted” rooms within the house to prepare them for this season’s visitors. Several rooms still await adoption, and more tour guides would be welcomed.

Orange Community Band to hold first Pops Concert since pandemic’s start

ORANGE — The Orange Community Band plans to hold a Pops Concert on Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. in Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium, the first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a change of format, seating will be concert-style and no tickets will be sold in advance. Donations to the band will be accepted at the door. Anyone wishing to be listed as a sponsor or donor in the program should contact Maureen Riendeau at mriendeau@mass.rr.com by April 24.

The program is titled “Favorites” and will feature some tunes from the band’s library as well as several selections very recently added.

The band rehearses Wednesday evenings at the Central Congregational Church in Orange. Summer rehearsals will be June 14, 21 and 28, and July 5, 12, 19 and 26 for the Friday evening concerts on the bandstand. Concerts will be held at 7 p.m. on June 23 and 30, and July 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Mahar 50+ Alumni Group planning the Sept. 16 gathering

ORANGE — The Mahar 50+ Alumni Group is planning a Sept. 16 gathering for all Ralph C. Mahar Regional School graduates from 1957 to 1973.

Class representatives are expected to meet at 10 a.m. in the Athol Public Library on April 25. Representatives are still needed from the classes of 1970 through 1973.

Contact Keri Kilhart at gramkeri@cloud.com, Muriel Holden at 978-249-9313 or Maureen Riendeau at mriendeau@mass.rr.com if you are interested in being a class representative.

The plans so far for the next gathering include a catered meal at American Legion Riders Post 102 in Athol on Sept. 16. More details will be forthcoming after the planning meeting.

Selectboard needs recording clerk

NEW SALEM — The Selectboard is still accepting applications for a recording clerk.

The town needs a part-time minute-taker for Selectboard meetings held on alternating Monday evenings (or on Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). Meetings typically last 90 minutes to two hours. Attendance is required at all meetings. Minutes must be provided to the town coordinator within seven days after the close of a meeting. The position pays $16.25 per hour.

A full job description is posted at bit.ly/3UJNJ3M. Resumés should be sent to Town Coordinator Kathy Neal at newsalemwendell@gmail.com.

The Selectboard is also looking for someone to appoint to represent New Salem at the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District meetings in Greenfield. Those meetings are held twice a year. Veteran status is not required. More information about the service district is available at bit.ly/3okwgCU.

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