St. Mary’s Parish holding 101st annual fair

ORANGE — St. Mary’s Parish plans to hold its 101st annual parish fair in the Parish Center on West Myrtle Street on Saturday.

Doors open at 9 a.m. The fair features a cash/scratch ticket raffle, a 50/50 raffle and a themed basket raffle. The center table raffle has become known for its extensive display of more than 50 prizes. The gift certificate raffle is also popular, with certificates coming from businesses between Shelburne Falls and Leominster.

Coffee, sweets and sandwiches are available, and beef stew with homemade pie will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Popcorn and soft serve ice cream will be sold all day. The food and candy tables will feature pies, cookies, breads, jellies, pickles, peanut brittle and fudge. A children’s table has games and prizes. Prize winners for the raffles will be announced starting at 2 p.m., followed by phone notification of winners. There will be no tag sale this year.

Pies can also be pre-ordered by contacting Maureen Riendeau at mriendeau@mass.rr.com.

Proceeds from the fair are used for scholarships, parish needs (altar cloths, vestments, rectory and Parish Center repairs), and community events like Starry Starry Night and other programs.

Call 978-249-6336 for additional information, or to offer donations or volunteer.

Quabbin Valley Pro Musica beginning fall season

NEW SALEM — The Quabbin Valley Pro Musica chorus is beginning its fall season.

Singers of all experience levels are welcome, no auditions required. The chorus rehearses from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays at the New Salem Central Congregational Church, 24 South Main St. It performs two concerts each year — one in early February and one in June.

Contact Music Director Geoffrey Hudson at hudsongs@earthlink.net for additional information.

Old Wendell town reports available

WENDELL — The Town Clerk’s Office has many old annual town reports available, according to the town website. Anyone can stop by the office to pick up any or all copies.

A town’s annual report includes reports from major boards and committees and Town Meeting information. It is always dedicated to a resident who died in the previous 12 months.

‘Honoring Local Elders’ series shining spotlight on Dorthee Thompson

WENDELL — Gail Mason will convene the second event in her new “Honoring Local Elders” series at the Wendell Meetinghouse on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. October’s honoree will be Dorthee Thompson, known in town as a trailblazer and a ready volunteer for community efforts in and affecting Wendell.

“Dor,” as Dorthee Thompson is known, was officially recognized as Wendell’s oldest citizen in December 2022. She was among a group of lesbian feminists who came to Wendell more than 30 years ago, initially living in a tent and trailer, but later working alongside other women on work crews learning to build their own homes.

In 1998, Thompson was a founding partner for the nonprofit AccessAbility Alternative that sought to protect Wendell wetlands through conservation agreements with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and supported women in gaining housing and ownership of land. She also helped create the Women’s Needs Fund, which provided small grants to women who needed help with acquiring wood or furniture, addressing health-related needs and more.