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• Relay Ends

  

  Greater Gardner Relay for Life Ends Close to Goal

  With about $35k to go, the Relay for Life is close to its goal. To donate, visit the Greater Gardner Relay for Life page, CLICK HERE.

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• Hotline 6-14-25

  

  Greater Gardner Relay for Life Highlight of WGAW Hotline Radio

  The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of June 14, 2025 featured the Relay for Life opening ceremonies. Listen to the complete program on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Segments of the show: Mayor Nicholson Update –Mayor Michael Nicholson Update —- Greater Gardner Relay for Life opening ceremonies including remarks of local officials, a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and other comments and blessings. The relay began with the Survivors Lap of Hope —- How to be a “Hotline Hero” and promote your Non-profit on Hotline —- Positive Commentary on Extraordinary Gardner Educators byWerner Poegel —- Massachusetts State Senator Peter Durante regarding budget matters, state funding, and various projects.

  To get your Non-profit on Hotline Radio, simply call (978) 632-1340

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• Relay Update

  

  Greater Gardner Relay for Life on now through Saturday June 14th at 2pm

  They are like heroes out of a comic book. They are the fundraisers for the Greater Gardner Relay for Life which began Friday June 13^th. As of early Friday evening, the relay was at more than 75% of its $168,000 goal with just $40,000 to go. The Relay for Life runs through Saturday, June 14th at 2pm.

  With every donation, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives.

  For inspiration, listen to our original song on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• This Week 6-13-25

  

  Gardner Magazine with “This Week in the Chair City” – an update on what’s going on in Gardner Massachusetts

  This program is a weekly news magazine strictly about Gardner. Listen to “This Week in the Chair City” on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Budget Scrutiny — Explanation of 3 Deep Dive podcasts about Gardner Public Schools — Library Summer Reading —- Terri Hillman Retirement — School Committee — Construction projects — Explanation on the Greenwood demolition delay — Summer Concert Series — Junior Police Academy — Beach Boys Tribute — original songs released — upcoming events — upcoming meetings.

  Email: News@GardnerMagazine.com

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• Finance 6-12-25

  

  More Budget Scrutiny by Finance Committee Leading to Monday Council Meeting

  The Finance Committee of the Gardner City Council met on June 12, 2025 to further review budget matters and ask additional questions of Department Heads. The committee recommended the Council approve the Capital Improvement Plan. Upon various reviews, various other monetary recommendations were made. Amended Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the Finance Committee meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The City Council is meeting on June 16, 2025 at which time the budget is expected to be passed with any cuts made by the Council. 323 page Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. The Council will hear a report from the Welfare Committee relating to 3 zoning ordinances on the agenda for approval at the meeting. From the Finance Committee there a few dozen items relating to various expenditures – Listed as Committee of the Whole are even more orders and the School, Municipal, and Enterprise budgets for fiscal year 2026. Details are in the agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. The budget must be approved prior to the start of the 2026 Fiscal year on July 1, 2025.

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• Hotline Hero

  

  Hotline Radio is a Saturday interview program on Gardner’s WGAW Radio heard Saturdays noon to 2pm on AM 1340, 98.1FM, and streaming worldwide. To be a Hotline Hero and get your non-profit featured on the show, call host Steve Wendell at (978) 632-1340

  Gardner Magazine Honors Long-Running “Hotline Radio” with original Hit Song

  Many guests on WGAW’s Hotline Radio wear an appearance as a badge of honor and so is born the original song “Hotline Hero” available in a number of genres. Listen on any device.

  For more about WGAW or to listen live 24/7, CLICK HERE.

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• Relay Friday

  

  The Greater Gardner Relay for Life is Friday June 13th and Saturday June 14th. Theme of 2025 is “Journey of Hope”.

  Greater Gardner Relay for Life is Friday June 13th

  Weather Outlook: Friday June 13^th looks like a very nice day with clouds and sunshine and a high of 76. Saturday is a bit iffy with showers in the morning and otherwise cooler with variable cloudiness and a temperature around 63.

  Timeline: Grounds open at about 3pm and some food trucks will already be there. The relay begins Friday at 6pm and goes overnight through Saturday at 2pm, a total of 20 hours. Location is the grounds of Mount Wachusett Community College at 444 Green Street, Gardner. Complete schedule, CLICK HERE. The Survivors Reception begins at 3:30pm and the Opening Ceremonies begin at 6pm. Various themed hours are scheduled from Friday evning, night and overnight all the way to Saturday afternoon

  Fundraising: As of 2 days before the relay, $117,000 out of a goal of $168,000 had been raised. For more information, CLICK HERE.

  Food vendors Friday June 13th: Big T’s Jerky House and Maddy’s Ice Cream arrive at 3pm. Kona Ice, Shane’s Hot Dogs, and Uncle Joey’s Canoli’s arrive at 4pm. All will be on hand to about 9 to 10pm. Food vendors Saturday June 14th include breakfast at 7am with the Westminster Cafe and Maddy’s and the rest of the above starting at about 10am.

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• GPS 6-11-25

  

  Exploring Gardner MA Public Schools Improvement Plan, Student Handbook, and Bullying Policy.

  Gardner Magazine explored in detail the Gardner Public Schools 3 year Improvement Plan, the Gardner Student Handbook, and the Gardner Public Schools Bullying Policy. Each is featured in a “Deep Dive” podcast. We also feature the actual documents for your review.

  Gardner Public Schools 3 Year Improvement Plan. Document, CLICK HERE. “Deep Dive” listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Public Student Handbook. Document, CLICK HERE. Unpack the crucial info with the “Deep Dive”. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY

  Gardner Public Schools Bullying Policy. Document, CLICK HERE. “Deep Dive” listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Reading 2025

  

  Levi-Heywood Memorial Library to Kick Off Summer Reading Events

  The Levi-Heywood Memorial Library is kicking off its Summer Reading Program at Wednesday, June 25th. To view any of the images in this article in a larger view, just click on the image. Gardner Magazine also has a “Deep Dive” podcast explaining it all. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  For more information at any time, visit the Levi Heywood Memorial Library website, CLICK HERE.

  PRINTABLE PDF of Summer Reading program, CLICK HERE

  

  

  

  

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• School Committee 6-9-25

  

  School Committee Meets, Terri Hillman Retires after 30 Years

  The Gardner MA School Committee met on June 9,2025. Following a positive Superintendent evaluation, the Gardner Superintendent was granted a 5% raise. However, Dr. Pellegrino said he would only accept a 2% raise, same as the teachers.

  Superintendent Pellegrino reviewed the District Improvement Plan Related Goals of 2024 to 2027 and spoke of the complete details including specifics on student behavior. The superintendent went through each section and commented on progress. The video of the meeting shows various charts. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  There was about 8 minutes of School Committee comments at the end of the meeting from all of the members. Recording Secretary Terri Hillman is retiring after 3 decades. It was her last meeting. This is what she said. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The School Committee meets next in September.

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