Orange MA

Orange MA Local News and Community Information

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• Orange News

  The Town of Orange has announced that the public may now view property valuations for the Fiscal Year 2024. CLICK HERE. Orange wants to lease the Orange Boathouse for the operation of a Kayak and Canoe Rental Concession and has information on Request for Proposals. Must be in by January 30, 2024 by 2pm.

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• K9 Rocky Tee

  

  Support the K9 Program in Gardner MA by Getting a Rocky Tee shirt

  On his very first day, K-9 Rocky helped catch a burglar with his unique skills and has continued to be an asset in keeping the City of Gardner safe. The K-9 program needs continued support. By special arrangement with Shoe Fly graphics, the Gardner PD along with Athol PD and Orange PD are making tee shirts available.

  According to the Gardner PD, “When you purchase a shirt, $10 from the purchase goes to the respectable K9 program. Shirts are $20 each until September 30th, then go up to $25 each.”

  Purchase can be made online at this secure link. CLICK HERE. To support Gardner, be sure to choose Rocky in your checkout options. Otherwise, choose the Athol or Orange K9 options.

  Rocky says thank you!

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• Orange MA 2023 Election

  The Town Election in Orange MA, is March 6, 2023. Polls open at 10:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. All precincts vote at the Cheney Street Offices, 62 Cheney Street. For more information on the upcoming election, how to register and voting by mail, click here.

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• Electricity 23

  

  Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…

  EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.

  Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon

  For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.

  Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA

  In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.

  For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.

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• Mosquitos

  

  Mosquito Control Team Back Again to Greater Gardner MA

  The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is sending its team to the area on August 4, 11, 18, 25, and September 1.  Dates are tentative and weather permitting.   Requests for service may be recorded by calling  the CMMCP office at (508) 393-3055 between 7am and 3:30pm weekdays.   For more info visit the website.  CLICK  HERE.

• Storm

  

  Severe Thunderstorm with Tornado Warnings Hit parts of Worcester County including Greater Gardner MA on July 21, 2022

  Orange Airport had a wind gust of 58 miles per hour. Athol MA had a storm producing up to 1 inch hail. Route 2 West near Warwick MA closed due to trees falling across highway. The storm passed over many of the towns in the Greater Gardner area including the City of Gardner. A tornado warning was in effect until 4:15pm, having been issued an hour earlier. Tornado Warning now expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Eastern Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire until 4:45pm

  Strong storms are expected in other areas of Massachusetts including Middlesex County and Southern New Hampshire until early evening. It is unknown at the time of this report whether a tornado actually touched down. In Eastern Franklin County there were downed trees and some power outages.

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• 988 Lifeline

  

  Nation including Greater Gardner MA has new number for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  The new number, 988, is easy to remember and is designed to save lives. The number is accessible across the United States and will connect callers with a trained counselor at any time. You can even text the number and get a response.

  Gardner Magazine found it difficult to find a high quality image, so we’re making it available here in a pdf you can print for the office or workplace. CLICK HERE. — Note: even if you have only a B/W laser printer, print and display this and you may just save a life.

  Note: To avoid confusion, we are not publishing the old longer number which is still working for now.

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• Orange MA Fire

  

  Vacant Factory Fire in Orange MA June 4, 2022

  A fire at 16 West River Street in Orange MA involved firefighters from more than 20 regional fire departments.   A number of nearby vacant buildings also caught fire.   None of the buildings were reportedly occupied.  Origin of the fire is  under investigation.  Ash was reported landing in Athol. Here’s a video from WWLP Channel 22 News. CLICK HERE —- Map of Location

• Cupcake Wars

  

  How Event Started

  Back in the late 1990’s, a parent almost lost a child due to alcohol poisoning. This provided the thought that maybe running an event to prevent kids from getting hurt would be a good idea. And thus, the MAPP was born. The Mahar After Prom Party has now been around for about 20 years, far longer than this particular fundraiser.

  Many businesses and individuals love to simply donate to the cause, and doing so is easy. Simply make out a check payable to MAPP and mail to: Helene Holmes, 350 Holtshire Road, Orange, MA 01364.

  Have questions? You can reach Helene Holmes via email at HeleneHolmes@yahoo.com or via phone at (978) 544-6377

  There is also a Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

  Cupcake Wars Back in Orange MA

  Cupcake Wars is slated to take place Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Orange American Legion. The event benefits the Mahar After Prom Party. Directions, click here

  This year will be the 5th annual event as the 4th annual event was held in 2019 and no event was held in either 2020 or 2021. In 2019 there were 17 entries total in 3 divisions: professional, amateur, and youth. Abby Holmes co-organizes the contest with her mother Helene Holmes. This year there will be up to 30 Bakers participating.

  The goal of the event is to raise money for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s after prom party which is run to keep students safe after the all night prom. Helene Holmes has been on the organizing committee for the after party since it started in the late 1990’s. This is just one fundraiser for a party that reportedly costs up to around $15,000 or so to put on. The after promo party is a drug and alcohol-free event intended to keep Mahar high school seniors and guests safe on prom night. All are locked in until 5am with fun games, food, entertainment, and activities such as swimming. This year’s proceeds will go towards the 2023 After Prom Party.

  The 5th Annual Cupcake Wars has public voting for the best cupcakes from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Orange American Legion. Entrance levels are $5, $10, or $15 depending on how many full size cupcakes you want to take home in addition to trying all of the available samples.

  The event will take up to 30 different bakers from 4 different categories: Professional, Amateur, Adult with child under 7, and Youth under 18. Entry fee is $20 per flavor, except Youth under 18 which is $10 per flavor. Contestant Participants are asked to bring a minimum of 3 dozen cupcakes plus samples. Theme this year is Celebrations. There are 3 judges per division who remain completely unknown to the contestants.

• Orange Water Tank Funding

  

  The Town of Orange has secured MA Grant Funding for Water Tank Project

  The $1 million in MassWorks grant funding for the Orange Industrial Park Water Tank Project  is designed to help protect employees, preserve business, and prepare for growth.  The award will be used to build a new water town for fire suppression serviced at the Orange Industrial Park.   There’s more information in the press release. CLICK HERE.

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