Orange Historical Society holds annual fall potluck

ORANGE — Roughly two dozen members of the Orange Historical Society met at Witty’s Funeral Home for their annual fall potluck meeting on Tuesday. Oct. 24.

Amid a full agenda, the meeting took a moment to unveil a memorial plaque that, as read aloud by Treasurer Jeff Cole, “gratefully acknowledges Linda Temple for her many years as historian to the society.” Temple died in February at age 78 and the society voted to direct Cole to arrange for the plaque. He went further and personally covered the cost as well.

Members dined on several casseroles as well as salads and desserts atop long tables covered with pumpkin-printed tablecloth in the funeral parlor’s viewing room.

Anyone interested in contacting the Historical Society can call President Kathryn Schiappa at 978 544-6814.

Senior Citizens Club to meet Nov. 2

ORANGE — The Orange Senior Citizens Club plans to meet at the Orange Senior Center at 62 Cheney St. at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2.

This is a regular monthly business meeting, and all members are invited. The agenda includes the secretary’s report, the treasurer’s report and committee reports. Any new and old business will also be discussed. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided, and Dennis Cormier will provide music.

Guests are always invited, and new members are welcome. Any local resident, age 50 or older, is eligible to become a club member. Dues are $5 per year.

The December meeting will include a gift exchange and a yankee swap of small wrapped gifts. Gifts may be valued at $5, but not more than $10. There will also be a cookie exchange. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome to bring a dozen cookies to swap.

New Salem COA lunches on different November schedule

NEW SALEM — The New Salem Council on Aging lunches are on a different schedule for November.

The first November lunch is this Friday, Nov. 3, but the reservation deadline has passed. Call Sunday Lefebvre at 978-575-0116 by Nov. 12 for a reservation for Nov. 16. The Thanksgiving meal is on Nov. 16. Both meals will be at the Central Congregational Church on South Main Street at noon. Leave a message if Lefebvre does not pick up.

The Council on Aging board meeting is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. at the church on Nov. 16.

Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee updating 2004 document

NEW SALEM — The Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee is preparing to update its expired 2004 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Residents are asked to fill out the community survey, either online at bit.ly/49jghb2 or on paper. Responses will help bring new grant money into the community and provide recreation opportunities in New Salem. Pick up and drop off paper copies of the community survey at the Stowell Building or the town library.

Contact Heidi Bohn at heidi.m.bohn@gmail.com for more information.

‘Arts & Experiences’ fundraising auction set for Nov. 3.

ORANGE — The First Universalist Church of Orange is planning its sixth annual “Arts & Experiences” fundraising auction to benefit Quabbin Harvest’s work in the community.

The live auction will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, at the church, across the street from the food co-op. There will be a social hour from 6 to 7 p.m., with food and drinks, plus music by Orange’s own Richard Chase and a tableful of bonus silent auction items to bid on. The live auction starts at 7 p.m. with auctioneer Michael Humphries at the podium.

There’s also a two-week online silent auction in the run-up to the Nov. 3 event. Bidding is open until 5 p.m. on Nov 3. Winners will be announced during the live auction or via email.

The full auction catalog plus bid sheets for the online silent auction can be found at rebrand.ly/QHauction2023. There is also information at quabbinharvest.coop.