Black Bears in Barre MA and other Greater Gardner MA Communities – Some Advice This bear photo was captured by Evan Hunt and posted on the Barre MA Residents Forum. Bears have been spotted in Gardner, Winchendon, and other nearby communities as well. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and WildlifeContinue Reading

Templeton Annual Town Election and Community Update. Annual Town Election is Monday May 20, 2024 from 11am to 7pm in the Narragansett Regional high School Gymnasium. Sample Ballot is featured at left. The most recent report of the Town Administrator goes over street sign replacements, buildings and grounds, activities ofContinue Reading

Gardner City Council May 20, 2024 The Gardner City Council is scheduled to have an informal meeting at 6:15pm and the regular meeting at 7:30pm. Informal meeting concerns the School Budget presentation. Informal Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. The Regular meeting and packet is 263 pages long and concerns aContinue Reading

First Responder Day Held at Levi Heywood Memorial Library The First Responder Event was held Saturday May 18, 2024 from 9 to 11am at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library. Coordinators of the Event included: Gardner PD Lieutenant John Czasnowski, , Firefighter and S.A.F.E. Program Coordinator Sean Kelley, Library Director StephanieContinue Reading

Illegal Food Pantry Discussed on WGAW Hotline Radio Host of Hotline Radio on WGAW (Saturdays noon to 2pm) Steve Wendell commented on the illegal food pantry started by former Gardner mayoral candidate Kimberly Blake saying “It’s an illegal operation without the required permits to operate.” Listen on any device. CLICKContinue Reading

5 Alarm Fire in Templeton on Patriots Road From the Templeton Fire Department: “At 15:40 Friday May 17th Templeton Fire Department was Notified of a possible building fire on Patriots rd. Upon arrival of police fire was reported to be coming out the front and side first floor windows. AContinue Reading

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Updates the Chair City Scheduling conflicts did not permit a recorded message this week. However, the Mayor did want to pass along the following information: From the Mayor of Gardner: This week is National Police week with Peace Officers Memorial Day being Wednesday May 15th. WeContinue Reading

UPDATE May 17, 2024 – Simple Explanation of Issue – 1. Food Pantry not allowed by State Law in residential area 2. If home was somehow deemed OK for food pantry, permits must first be obtained and inspections must be conducted prior to opening 3. No approvals of any kindContinue Reading

Massachusett Law, click here. Food Pantry liability, click here. Gardner CAC has a Food Pantry located at 294 Pleasant Street in Gardner and would love your donations. Website with secure donation ability, CLICK HERE. Open a Food Pantry at Your House – NO, you can’t do that… A Gardner residentContinue Reading

Gardner Square Two Announces Small Business Saturday and Happy Birthday Gardner Festival The event will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10am to 4pm in Downtown Gardner. Vendor space is still available and Square Two members get a free space. More information from the Gardner Square Two website, CLICK HERE.Continue Reading

450 Degrees and 229 Certificates Conferred to 620 Students at MWCC 2024 Graduation On May 15, 2024, the 59th Commencement was held at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner MA. Guests were welcomed by MWCC President James Vander Hooven. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll shared words of welcome. Student speakerContinue Reading

Flag up Again at Gardner City Hall With interior mechanisms of the pole irreparably damaged during a wind storm on February 29th, Gardner’s iconic flag as pictured at left was missing from the Chair City skyline for the past 2 1/2 months. According to Gardner City Hall, “Due to theContinue Reading

For the complete Press Release on pdf, CLICK HERE. — For the website, CLICK HERE. Listen to Library Director Stephanie Young on any device, CLICK PLAY. Gardner MA Levi Heywood Memorial Library Goes Fine Free The Levi Heywood Memorial Library stated in a Press Release on May 15, 2024 “proudContinue Reading

GALA Art and Music Festival 2024 is 3 Big Days The HUGE GALA Art and Music Festival is May 17, May 18, and May 19 taking place at Red Apple Farm located at 455 HIghland Avenue in Phillipston MA. Admission is FREE. Performances on May 17th include Sweet Euphoria, MarkContinue Reading

Gardner Fire Department Gets New Ambulance and Shows it off The Gardner Fire Department released this statement in a Facebook post, “Some exciting news for the GFD!! Our new ambulance has finally arrived at Greenwood Emergency vehicles in Attleboro. Chief Lagoy and EMS Coordinator Lt. Hulette went down Monday toContinue Reading

Templeton MA Rotary Project Pulls Ahead of Gardner Templeton MA has announced major progress in its rotary project on May 14, 2024 as shown in the visual from the Templeton PD which posted, “TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE 05/14/2024 After two days of paving, the East Templeton Rotary Project has started toContinue Reading

Gardner PD gets Ready for Junior Police Academy 2024 The Gardner Police Department posted the photo collage at left on its Facebook page. and wrote “The Jr. Police Academy is now accepting applications! This free program will start July 15 – July 20, for teens between the ages of 14Continue Reading

Gardner School Committee Met on Monday May 13, 2024 The Gardner MA School Committee Met on Monday May 13, 2024. Complete Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Robert Swartz detailed progress relating to various projects in the schools. pointing out that someContinue Reading

From the Publisher: Gardner Magazine has been publicly criticized on Social Media for its positive reporting on Mayor Nicholson, the Gardner City Council, and the Gardner Team of great municipal and school employees. Our response is simple: It’s not our fault they’re doing a good job. But it is somewhatContinue Reading

Bonanza of Community Events and Project Progress Highlight of Weekly Gardner MA Update Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson updated the Chair City on May 10, 2024. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. Community Events: Annie Fields at Gardner Museum on Thursday May 16th —- Gardner Area League of Artists Art andContinue Reading

Fictional Theater Episode 14 – Joe and Don Take Calls at the Call Center Our best friends Don and Joe with a new hit episode from our series called Joe and Don at the Call Center. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. For the complete page featuring Episodes 1-12, (EpisodeContinue Reading

Public Service Committee in Gardner Hears from Citizens and Department Heads The Gardner Public Service Committee chaired by Councilor Paul Tassone hears water and sewer appeals by ratepayers in Gardner. It also hears reports from Conservation, DPW, and Engineering. Listen to the May 6, 2024 meeting on any device, CLICKContinue Reading

Beautification of Gardner is Underway – Difference is Easily Apparent Top view is the fencing obscuring land which became the Park Street Park. Originally an electrical substation, the substation was abandoned in favor of another site, but the fence and barbed wire remained. Gardner Mayor Nicholson proposed the expenditure ofContinue Reading