Interviews – Greater Gardner MA

Photo shows Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson holding a canvas presented to the City by Gardner Magazine on occasion of the Mayor’s 2000 Days in Office and in recognition of the strategic initiatives that have led to Gardner MA being labeled a “Model City for America.”

2000 Days Towards the “Model City for America” – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

This interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson marks the mayor’s 2000th day in office, detailing the strategic initiatives that have led to Gardner MA being labeled a “Model City for America”. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The discussion with Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel highlights the City’s aggressive use of grant writing to fund multimillion dollar infrastructure projects, including water system overhauls and underground electrical wiring without straining the local budget. Mayor Michael Nicholson explains how investments in community policing, vocational education, and public safety prevention have successfully lowered crime rates and fostered local pride. The dialogue also covers the revitalization of vacant municipal buildings into housing and community centers to address the regional housing crisis. Throughout the conversation, the Mayor emphasizes a philosophy of continuous adaptation and proactive planning to ensure the City remains resilient and forward-thinking. Targeted local governance and resource management has transformed Gardner’s trajectory.

A Bold Interview – Werner Poegel Interviews Artificial Intelligence

Just how far has AI advanced? Can an AI carry on a natural conversation? Gardner Magazine got permission from Amazon and put Alexa to the test. The result is this rather unusual interview with Artificial Intelligence. Listen on any device.

We discover interesting insights about Gardner Massachusetts and what the data says about the City. We discover the weaknesses in current video meeting coverage with only about 20 percent of the City’s population actually able to get Gardner Educational TV Channel 8 and we explore other options for the City. We delve in to specifics on tiny houses and the availability of homes for 11 grand on Amazon. It’s an interesting exchange in many ways. And yes, it was a real conversation between a human and Artificial Intelligence. Who would have thought that was possible just a few years ago?

View the complete Monthly Senior Center Newsletter on pdf, CLICK HERE.

Senior Center Director Mike Ellis briefs readers on March Programs

The Gardner Senior Center is very active and we have the latest newsletter for you in pdf format, CLICK HERE. In addition, we spoke with Senior Center Mike Ellis who spoke about March 2026. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Senior center director Mike Ellis details a diverse array of upcoming health and legal programs scheduled for the spring of 2026. The center provides essential assistance with Medicare enrollment, along with expert-led seminars on probate court and land ownership. Social wellness is a primary focus, featuring various support groups for veterans and caregivers, as well as casual medical Q&A sessions with local healthcare professionals. Visitors can participate in numerous creative and physical activities, ranging from intricate basket weaving and ukulele lessons to ballroom dancing and yoga. This robust calendar of events is made possible by a dedicated staff and a massive network of over 750 community volunteers.

View this VIDEO about programs at the Gardner Senior Center. CLICK the red Play Button or you can make it FULL SCREEN.

Gardner Magazine has more! – The complete interview page includes 5 separate related reports and infographics and a VIDEO. Here is the page, CLICK HERE.

Gardner MA Infrastructure: Interview with Gardner Mayor Nicholson

On February 18, 2026, Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about Infrastructure in Gardner. We covered all the bases. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The Interview covered the extensive infrastructure projects and economic strategies in Gardner, Massachusetts. The discussion highlights significant utility upgrades, including underground electrical work in South Gardner and the installation of a new transformer to revitalize downtown buildings. Mayor Nicholson details the city’s approach to housing development by repurposing former school sites and utilizing state grants to attract diverse new businesses. The overview also covers educational advancements, such as the “multi-tiered system of support” and early college programs that allow students to earn degrees before high school graduation.

The Wachusett Incubator serves 40 cities and towns and has a physical office at 82 Main Street in Downtown Gardner MA. VIsit the website, CLICK HERE. or call (978) 707-9900

We have even more information on this complete page with reports, infographics, and more, CLICK HERE.

Wachusett Business Incubator – Interview with Executive Director Magnus Carlberg

On February 12, 2026, Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking to Magnus Carlberg, the Executive Director of the Wachusett Business Incubator. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

We spoke with Carlberg about the non-profit organization’s role in fostering local entrepreneurship. The Wachusett Incubator offers a physical workspace and essential resources like business planning, marketing strategies, and financial forecasting to hundreds of startups. Magnus Carlberg emphasizes that the organization serves as a “supportive sounding board” for individuals looking to transition from traditional employment to independent business ownership.

During the interview, Carlberg emphasized the importance of “high energy and resilience” for new founders while outlining the incubator’s affordable membership and diverse advisory board. The incubator promotes regional economic growth by connecting makers, developers, and established business leaders.

The Wachusett Incubator serves 40 cities and towns and has a physical office at 82 Main Street in Downtown Gardner MA. VIsit the website, CLICK HERE. or call (978) 707-9900

Gardner Magazine has more information on this complete page with reports, infographics, and more, CLICK HERE.

Gardner Magazine has a complete page on this interview with additional resources such as a VIDEO, a number of reports, and informative infographics. For the page, CLICK HERE.

Addiction – Interview with Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald of Heywood Healthcare.

Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Stereotypes: Addiction is often portrayed through the lens of extreme stereotypes—the “scary” substances and the marginalized individuals we see in cinema. In reality, addiction is a pervasive medical condition that exists within the fabric of our everyday lives, touching almost every family across all socioeconomic backgrounds. It is not a niche problem; it is a universal human condition that requires both clinical precision and deep empathy to resolve.

Understanding the Addiction Landscape: To better understand this landscape, we spoke with Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald, the Medical Director of Patient Care and Addiction Services at Heywood Hospital. As a “Family Medicine doctor at heart,” Dr. Fitzgerald views her patients through a holistic lens, treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms. Her dual background in primary care and addiction medicine provides a unique perspective on how we can move past the stigma to provide effective, compassionate medical treatment.

Gardner Magazine has a reports page with 4 dedicated reports, 2 videos, a “Deep Dive”, and a “Debate” CLICK FOR PAGE.

Gardner Magazine Interview with Mike Ellis and Report: The Gardner Senior Center

Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with Senior Center Director Mike Ellis on February 6, 2026. Gardner’s Senior Center Director Ellis speaks on how the Gardner Senior Center has become a model for others. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Mike Ellis once served for years as the Director of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, has worked with political candidates, and now serves as the in-house “Genius” at the Senior Center, equipped with a staff at the top of their intellectual, interactive, and empathetic game, serving thousands yearly with unprecedented success in so many different programs and literally saving seniors millions.

Gardner Magazine has dedicated a complete page with 4 specialized reports on the Gardner Senior Center: CLICK for the Page. We also feature 2 videos, a “Deep Dive”, and a “Debate” as well as in-depth infographics on the Gardner Senior Center.

Gardner Mayor Nicholson and Executive Aide Ryan Egan Appear on Senior Moments with Mike Ellis

Senior Center Director Mike Ellis has a cable show which runs on Cable Channel 8 and reaches those who have cable service in Gardner. Gardner Magazine is making the AUDIO of the interview available to our readers. (The show is not uploaded to YouTube like other City items) Appearing on the show: Mayor Michael Nicholson and Executive Aide Ryan Egan. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Host Mike Ellis sat down with Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson and Executive Aide Ryan Egan to discuss the complexities of the municipal budget process. The conversation highlights the administration’s focus on transparency, explaining how tax dollars are strategically allocated to essential services like education, infrastructure, and public safety. Mayor Nicholson describes the city’s Master Plan, which aims to revitalize the community through innovative housing solutions, such as tiny homes and accessory units, and the repurposing of abandoned school buildings. The guests also explore how regional partnerships and creative problem-solving are overcoming challenges in transportation and water system maintenance. The discussion also emphasizes valuable resources for seniors, including the tax work-off program and free tax preparation services.

The Year Ahead –2026 – A Comprehensive Interview with Jonathan Zlotnik

Gardner Magazine spoke with State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik on January 8, 2026. We review 2025 and we speak about the year ahead, 2026. Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel and Jonathan Zlotnik took a look back at 2025 with some key achievements being a savings of $100,000 annually simply by effectuating the merger of the Winchendon and Gardner District Courts into the Winchendon-Gardner District Court, securing $10 million in infrastructure funding, and being involved in an important Veterans Housing project in Winchendon. 2026 Top priorities include education, the housing crisis, and infrastructure as is detailed more fully below and in a detailed infographic.

Gardner Magazine has prepared a briefing document with key themes and priorities from State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik. CLICK HERE for PDF and a Report entitled: “the $100,000 Hyphen: 5 Lessons from Local Government, CLICK HERE for PDF — or — CLICK HERE to view the text in a separate page.

In 2025, significant achievements included securing over $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure in the district, championing a revised road funding formula that benefits rural communities, and advancing major youth service initiatives like “The Hub” in Winchendon and the Gardner Community Youth Center. A cornerstone project, the redevelopment of two Winchendon schools into 44 units of veterans’ housing, moved forward with approximately 90% state funding.

Looking ahead to 2026, Representative Zlotnik’s top priorities are twofold: ensuring the full and continued funding of the Student Opportunity Act to provide stable support for K-12 education, and aggressively addressing the regional housing crisis through state investment in redevelopment projects. Supporting priorities include ensuring the financial sustainability of Heywood Healthcare, continuing investment in youth services and infrastructure, and strengthening local food security systems. Throughout, Zlotnik contrasts the Massachusetts legislature’s track record of consensus-building with federal-level gridlock, underscoring a pragmatic approach to governance.

In this “Year Ahead 2026” Interview, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson outlines an ambitious agenda for building on a big year of progress in 2025. The interview itself and the infographic below demonstrate the specifics.

A Forward- Looking Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – The Year Ahead 2026

Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

In an interview looking toward 2026, Mayor Michael Nicholson outlines an ambitious agenda for Gardner, Massachusetts, focused on infrastructure and community revitalizing. The city is prioritizing the South Gardner Village Center and Rear Main Street projects, which include modernizing electrical systems despite national supply chain delays. Nicholson highlights majorhousing reforms intended to encourage growth by reducing red tape and allowing for diverse options like tiny homes. The discussion also emphasizes the successful expansion of recreational spaces, such as the popular disc golf course at Bailey Brook Park, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation. To fund these initiatives, the city relies on a high-performing grant-writing strategy that has secured millions for local improvements. The Mayor also speaks about education at Gardner Public Schools which is ahead of the national curve and provides both college and trade opportunities for high school students. Overall, the mayor aims to maintain the city’s economic momentum while preserving its unique character as a “City with a town’s heart.”

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson provides a City of Gardner update and also features a special guest: Dr. Frank Sweeney of Heywood Hospital.

A November Mayor’s Update with a Very Special Guest

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson provides an update covering end of November and December events for the City of Gardner. Get all the details about the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade and find out about dual donation drives for toys, needed spices, and canned goods. As far as City operations, the Mayor goes over the Code Red issue, revealing that a cyber hack crashed the database, forcing the City to rely on a backup system until the vendor rebuilds. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Also included is an interview featuring a special guest, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frank Sweeney of Heywood Hospital who discusses Heywood Healthcare’s financial independence after bankruptcy, confirms a return to full function following a separate recent cyber event, and clarifies that a poor quality Leapfrog rating was unjustly applied because Heywood opted not to participate in a voluntary reporting survey. “It’s like getting a “D” on a test that you never took”. Gardner Magazine previously had an editorial on the subject, calling out Leapfrog for literally unjustly sticking it to Heywood Hospital, CLICK HERE.

A very positive interview about Gardner’s Future. We cover many areas. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Focus on Gardner’s Future – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

On November 17, 2025, Gardner Magazine spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in a very positive interview “Focus on Gardner’s Future” Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

We covered a myriad of topics. Here are some highlights of what the Mayor said.

Roads and Paving: ” I think there’s going to be a lot of the continuation of the work that we’ve done to keep up with our infrastructure. You know, we’re already starting to think about what the paving list is for next year. We recently just appropriated just over $210,000 to add supplemental funding so that when we go into paving season next year, we’ve already got some seed funding in. So by the time we get our Chapter 90 funds, we’ve already got some money in there. And working through the priority list of the roads that we have, and again, we rank our streets on a list of how many houses are on that road, how many cars normally drive on that road, if there’s any businesses on that road. And all of those things come into mind. So those are the conversations we’re having now so that when the spring comes around, we can start to really execute that”

Blake Voting Scam Revealed – It’s Still 1 Vote Per Person – No strategy provides more than one vote

Gardner Magazine reached out to renowned election attorney Gerry McDonough to confirm a very simple concept, that it’s 1 person, 1 vote and that the nonsense being stated by Kimberly Blake and some of the write-in candidates is just that, nonsense. In the Tuesday election, you can only put in 1 sticker per sticker candidate. If you put in more than 1 for the same office, the ballot will get thrown out. Also, if you vote for less than 6 at large candidates, you still only get 1 vote per candidate. Voting for 3 doesn’t give you 2 votes for each of those people.

Gerry McDonough has been practicing law for over 25 years in a variety of settings. A 1991 graduate of Suffolk University Law School, he graduated at the top of his class, summa cum laude, with several awards, including the Alexander Cella award in Administrative Law. He was also Editor-in-Chief of the Suffolk University Law Review. Following law school, Gerry clerked for the Honorable Joseph Nolan on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Listen to our short interview with McDonough at any device, CLICK PLAY.

View a complete transcript of this interview with all of the questions and answers, CLICK HERE.

Mayor Nicholson: “It’s been a journey and a half, but it’s been fun. We’ve definitely gotten a lot accomplished here in Gardner, but there’s a lot left that we’ve got to do. I’m looking forward to continuing the momentum that we’ve started and really continuing to push us forward.“

Interview: 5 Years of Moving Gardner Forward – With Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

In the last 5 Years, the residents of Gardner have seen big, positive changes. From housing to infrastructure, from education to various initiatives, Gardner has moved forward. And the big announcement: The South Gardner grant came in and underground electric will be a go! We spoke with Gardner Mayor Nicholson on October 27, 2025 about “5 Years of Moving Gardner Forward.” Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

We spoke with Mayor Nicholson about his background and how he became interested in local government. We discussed the 5 years of success through collaboration and cooperation “with the members of the city council, the members of the school committee, our department heads, the members of the public, our private sector partners, everyone coming together the right way and showing really what happens when government works in the way it’s supposed to work.”

The discussion also revolved around Mayor Michael Nicholson’s “Mr. Fix It” attitude utilizing his hands on approach and hard work to fix what’s broke. We spoke about business, housing, greater investment towards alleviating the homelessness crisis, public safety investments, feasibility studies, current projects, additional $250,000 from the MassTrails grant to complete the design of the 140 Pedestrial-Bike Bridge (construction in calendar year 2027), taxes, grants, the trust so many officials have placed in the Mayor, and the tremendously positive impact of the Gardner Elementary School project.

Gardner’s Interactive Lady -An Interview with Karen Hardern – 14 Year City Councilor

Gardner Magazine had the honor of speaking with City Councilor Karen Hardern. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

An Interview with Gardner City Councilor Dana Heath

Listen to the entire interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

In the interview, Councilor Heath details what Kimberly Blake attempted to do to his family, calling her actions “insane.” Councilor Heath spoke of details regarding what he says Kimberly Blake attempted to do to him and his family trying to affect his livelihood by false statements made to the employers of both himself and his spouse, and to affect his standing in the Flag Football League with false statements. According to Heath, Kimberly Blake has directly caused conflict between his kids and his ex-wife. According to Heath, Kimberly Blake even contacted his sister in Texas and shared false photoshopped items.

In the remainder of the interview, Councilor Heath speaks of positive achievements in the City of Gardner over the last few years.

An Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – Tough Questions

We cover a wide variety of subjects in this interview. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

An Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

We had the honor of speaking with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about Promises Kept during his last 5 years of service to the City of Gardner. Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

An Interview with Jon Hogue of North Star Family Services

Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – Downtown Revitalization

We spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about Downtown Revitalization

To put Phillipston in context: The nearby City of Gardner is 23.02 square miles in area with a population of over 21,000. Phillipston is slightly larger with a total area of 24.6 square miles and a population of under 2000 people. A little bigger in size with 1/10 the people.

For more information on the Town of Phillipston, MA, please visit the website, CLICK HERE.

“Where Adam Landed” – Interview with Phillipston CAO Adam Lamontagne

Gardner Magazine had the honor to speak with Phillipston CAO Adam Lamontagne on July 2, 2025. Lamontagne has been in the position since April. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Some of the Issues discussed:

Lamontagne drafted a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General asking for a Phillipston Post office. See pdf of letter. or click image for larger view. Currently the town shares the Athol zip code.

The Phillipston Chief Administrative Officer spoke of the Phillipston Town Common and a vision for improving the area. Phillipston Memorial building is getting paving due to a $50,000 state earmark. Town Meeting approved $100,000 for new gym at the Memorial School and Lamontagne looks forward to a beautiful basketball floor. He touched on some of the nice places in Phillipston including the well-known Red Apple Farm and the public beach at Queen Lake. Lamontagne is working with other communities to get electric rates down through aggregation. There’s also an effort to improve technology in the community. Lamontagne praised his public safety officials.

Adam Lamontagne noted that the recent Phillipston Town Meeting was very efficient, approving all 32 articles in one hour. Lamontagne was very pleased on how well he was welcomed by the community.

An Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

We had the honor of speaking with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about Fiscal Years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Small Business Saturday – Happy Birthday Gardner Interview with Patti Bergstrom

Patti Bergstrom is one of Gardner’s Super Heroes who loves Gardner and loves her Downtown. Bergstrom was chosen to help coordinate Downtown Gardner events for June 21, 2025 and we had the honor of conducting an interview. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

All the details on the exciting events and activities for the entire family. The shopping. The many vendors. The non-profits. The delicious food. Patti Bergstrom covers it all. It all starts at 10am in Downtown Gardner on Saturday, June 21st. Later in the evening there will be Fireworks at Kendall Pond and FREE CONCERTS at both the PACC and the Lithuanian Beach Club

Krista Sturgeon to Kimberly Blake: “Please Just Stop, Just Stop, I Thought you Were Running on a Fair and Nice Campaign” Claims Blake Lied to FBI

Gardner Magazine interviewed Krista Sturgeon who states she at one point was a friend and supporter of Kimberly Blake. Sturgeon feels differently now. After a number of Facebook message exchanges, Publisher Werner Poegel agreed to meet Sturgeon at a public place for an interview with the understanding that he would record everything and present it in its entirety for the public to hear. Interview was recorded Friday May 23, 2025 at the Walmart Subway in Gardner. Bottom line: Krista Sturgeon had a lot to say about Kimberly Blake. According to Sturgeon, many of Blake’s statements have been made with no factual basis at all. CLICK PLAY.

Background: Krista Sturgeon is a taxpayer who owns a home in Gardner and has lived in Gardner for about a decade. She lives with a partner of 10 years. Due to Parkinson’s Disease and lupus, Sturgeon has a service dog named Daniel Boone who came with her to the interview. He was adorable and well-behaved..

Page with complete text of interview, CLICK HERE.

Challenges and Solutions – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on April 24, 2025. The conversation revolved around various challenges and the corresponding solutions. Listen to the numerous questions and answers on any device, CLICK PLAY.

We spoke of some of the bumpy roads involving the Community Development Department and the current greener pastures since the Mayor hired a new Director, Jason Stevens, who as the Mayor put it has done “a year’s worth of work in one quarter.” We spoke of matters involving other Boards and Commissions, various City projects, plans for certain City-owned buildings, technology, staffing, budgets, expenses, the landfill, water, and so much more. The Mayor was very specific and informative in his answers.

PDF Text of entire interview, CLICK HERE.