Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

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• Cannabis and Driving

  

  Marijuana – Cannabis Users in Greater Gardner MA Risk High Chance of Death If They Drive

  A study of a county in Ohio showed 40% of deceased drivers tested positive for active THC with average blood levels far exceeding typical impairment limits. If you live in Greater Gardner MA and drive soon after smoking pot or consuming cannabis in any other form, you most likely will end up DEAD, sooner rather than later. Listen to our podcast “Deep Dive” with the Chair Man and the Chair Lady on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Read the Press Release from the American College of Surgeons, CLICK HERE. Information from the CDC, CLICK HERE.

  Bottom Line: Both organizations emphasize that driving while impaired by cannabis is dangerous and illegal, posing a serious public safety risk. And worse: The impairment causes crashes resulting in fatalities. Solution: Don’t use and drive just like you don’t drink and drive.

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• Got My Smile in Gardner – Original Song

  

  Inspired by the good people of Gardner, Gardner Magazine Releases “Got My Smile in Gardner”

  When some people come to Gardner, Massachusetts, they are so impressed with the warm welcome from the community that they end up staying in the City. Listen on any device to the original song “I Got My Smile in Gardner (And It Won’t Go Away”. CLICK PLAY to any of 3 versions.

  A man came for dinner in Gardner and ended up staying and buying a home. This is a fictional song based on true stories.

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• Tiny Houses

  

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson’s Initiatives to Help Homeless Proposes Additional Step

  At the Gardner City Council meeting on Monday, October 6th, the councilors will discuss a
  proposal signed by Mayor Michael Nicholson and Councilor Karen Hardern to modify zoning to promote housing growth and production in Gardner. The proposal would allow up to 10 tiny homes and efficiency homes per acre by right in residential and overlay districts. Projects exceeding 10 units per acre or those in a commercial district would require review by the Planning Board. A non-profit, for example, could build 10 units on a lot to help the homeless. They could do that by right. For more units, they’d just get permission from the Planning board. View details in the complete agenda and packet, CLICK HERE.

  The Gardner Mayor has been working with various non-profits to better address identified housing issues in Gardner. During the past 5 years, Nicholson has been actively promoting additional housing units and the Gardner Team has been working with developers to bring projects to fruition.

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• El Coqui Open Again

  

  El Coqui Latin Food Store Open Again

  El Coqui Latin Food Store is open at 13 Pleasant Street in Downtown Gardner. They were originally located at the corner of Main and Parker Streets when they got all 5 star Google reviews.

  “Great market!! The cashier was super sweet, and they have a little bit of everything here. Coco Lopez, sofrito, fresh yuca, Malta India, pastelillos de guayaba and more. Honestly, if you’re missing just a little taste of the island, or even if you’ve never tried Puerto Rican snacks and drinks before, this is the place to go in Gardner. Let’s continue to support our local shop owners!“

  “The cashier was nice. The store was clean and nice in selections. It is also the most affordable Spanish market I have been to. I will definitely return.”

  El Coqui Latin Food Store at 13 Pleasant Street, Gardner is located directly to the right of Parker House of Pizza.

  Another great destination in Downtown Gardner, “A Place to Enjoy.”

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• Encampment Cleanup

  

  Gardner Police Department Informs Community about Encampment Site Cleanup

  The Gardner Police Department Community Policing Team along with individuals from GAMMHA, Inc., Alyssa’s Place Peer Recovery and Resource Center, Gardner Walmart, and Keep Gardner Beautiful came together on October 4, 2025 to clean up a former encampment site.

  The Gardner PD posted: “This effort included helping a community member relocate with support and resources, ensuring care and respect were at the center of our actions. We’re grateful to our partners and volunteers for showing how compassion and teamwork keep Gardner strong.”

  

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• Development – October

  

  Development Committee Gets Updates

  Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  
  The Economic and Community Development Committee meeting was held on October 3, 2025, with Director Jason Stevens detailing updates on several key municipal projects and initiatives. Discussions centered on the Rear Main project, which is facing delays due to waiting on approval from National Grid for underground utility movement, and the Master Plan, which involves public outreach via an October open house and has seen internal departmental review of inventory and assessment reports. The committee also covered updates on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, noting a lack of public attendance at a recent information session in September.

  Several property sales in urban renewal zones that are moving forward with buyers were discussed including the Garbose Property on Mill Street and 205-213 Main Street. (property across from Gardner PD). Director Stevens noted that anything built on that lot will not obscure the view. Regarding the demolition of the Greenwood Pool building: While the asbestos abatement successfully completed, the city is now waiting for Mass DEP regarding concerns over waste oil in various equipment Finally, the meeting addressed the status of and ongoing issues related to Maki Park construction funding and timeline. Work at Maki Park is still expected to be completed by sometime in November.

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• Hotline 10-4-25

  

  WGAW Hotline Radio Show Highlights Progress in the Chair City- and Heartwarming Dennis Praeger Interview

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

  Kicking off the WGAW Hotline Radio Show on Saturday, October 4, 2025 was Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. Topics included: MWCC Auto Program Ribbon Cutting at Linus Allain Avenue – Levi Heywood Memorial Library expanded hours – How the library is funded – Hispanic Heritage Month – Domestic Violence Advocate at Gardner PD and Domestic Violence Vigil – Road Updates – Maki Park Contract signed and work to begin in a few weeks – Electricity Program ===== Integrity Commentary with Werner Poegel ====-Levi Heywood Memorial Library – interview with Director Marita Klements and Gardner City Councilor Judy Mack – Celebrating the newly expanded hours of the library. Also comments by Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson and Councilor Elizabeth Kazinskas and a youngster named Caleb. ====ABC Report on Jane Goodall who passed at 91. ==== In the 2^nd hour: An Interview with Dennis Praeger. His program has aired on WGAW from noon to 3pm prior to Praeger’s catastrophic injury. Praeger is now a paraplegic.

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• Hope Masonic Pumpkins

  

  Gardner Mayor Nicholson Promoting Pumpkins in the Chair City on Friday, October 3, 2025

  This time, the non-profit Gardner Mayor Nicholson is promoting has lots of pumpkins just in time for the season.

  The Mayor posted, “It’s pumpkin season again in the City! Stop by the Big Chair at Helen Mae Sauter School at 130 Elm Street for the Hope Masonic Lodge’s annual pumpkin charity fundraiser. All funds raised from the pumpkins sold go to local charities for their work throughout the year.”

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• This Week 10-3-25

  

  Our Weekly News Magazine – This Week in the Chair City for Friday, October 3, 2025

  Listen to “This Week in the Chair City” on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Included this week: Levi Heywood Memorial Library – Comfort Dog – MWCC – Fiscal 2026 Budget – Veterans Services Agreements – Cottage Kitchens – Electric Plan – Breast Cancer Awareness – Song Releases – Upcoming Meetings – Progress with Gardner Youth Center – Modifying Zoning for Tiny Homes.

  Contact Gardner Magazine via email: News@GardnerMagazine.com or leave a voicemail at (978) 632-6324

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• Library – October

  

  For more information, please visit the Levi Heywood Memorial Library website, CLICK HERE.

  Levi Heywood Memorial Library October 2025

  The library is having a teen open house on Saturday October 4^th from 11am to 3pm. A Meet and greet with the new teen librarian is included. Teens can share ideas for the space, programs, books, and more and enjoy snacks and activities. Other activities coming up include Tuesday, October 14^th at 4pm: Korean snacks, romance novels, and K-Pop, and, Undead Dolls Thursday October 30^th from 5-7pm to celebrate the spooky season.

  Gardner Library starts October with Expanded Hours of Monday and Tuesday: 9am-6pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm, and Friday and Saturday 9am to 3pm. The library is closed on Sundays.

  Another free program is on Wednesday October 8^th at 6pm feautirng Varla Ventura, who will dive deep into the folklore of werewolves, including Scandinavian lore.

  Gardner Magazine was provided with a complete calendar of the October Children’s programs, CLICK HERE.

  On October 15^th at 5:30pm, the library has a program for teens and adults called “Witchy Book Craft”. The FREE program includes FREE supplies but is limited to the first 30 participants.

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• Various Links to Various Content

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Here is something we are working on: A new and improved Greater Gardner MA Photo Gallery.

  

  

  
  All Sports Page features 8 categories of sports – Major League Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, National Hockey League, College Football, College Basketball, Professional Golf. CLICK HERE.

  

  
  Here are the State News pages on Gardner Magazine: — Massachusetts 1, — Massachusetts 2, — New Hampshire, — Connecticut, — Vermont, — Rhode Island, — and Maine. — Plus, California, — New York

  

  
  Here are the various news pages on various U.S. Topics including: Capitol Hill — , Lifestyle — , Financial — , Technology —, Showbiz —, Top U.S. Stories —, U.S. Debt Clock — , Economy —, United States News. —

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Around the Community of Gardner MA

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