Greater Gardner MA Local News July 2025
Attention Readers: While we restore content, certain articles and content are missing from July, August, and September Thank you for your patience.
- Update 7-31-25 (7/31/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Updates the Chair City.
Listen to the update on any device, CLICK PLAY
Nicholson Update 7-31-25 In this jam-packed updates, Mayor Nicholson goes over many events and projects in the City of Gardner.
- Deep Dive – Massachusetts Water Management (7/31/2025)
Deep Dive – Massachusetts Water Management Guidance
Listen to the “Deep Dive” on any device, CLICK PLAY.
DEEP DIVE – Massachusetts Water Management Guidance
- Fix It Fever – Original Song (7/27/2025)
Gardner Magazine releases original song “Fix it Fever”
Listen to any of a number of versions of the song on any device. CLICK PLAY.
POP – Fix it Fever 50’s ROCK – Fix it Fever Barbershop Version 1 – Fix it Fever Barbershop Version 2 – Fix it Fever Sing Along – Fix It Fever Party Song – Fix it Fever
- Doggy in a Woggy – original song (7/19/2025)
Gardner Magazine releases the original song “Doggy in a Woggy”
Listen to the original song “Doggy in a Woggy” on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Doggy in a Woggy
- Don’t Know and Don’t Care – original song (7/18/2025)
Gardner Magazine releases the original song “Don’t Know and Don’t Care”
Listen to the original song on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Don’t Know and Don’t Care
- Downtown Revitalization (7/17/2025)
Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – Downtown Revitalization
We spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about Downtown Revitalization
Downtown Revitalization 7-17-25
- Stuck to the Phone – original song (7/13/2025)
Gardner Magazine releases the original song “Stuck to the Phone”
Listen to either of 2 versions of the song on any device, CLICK PLAY.
POP ROCK – Stuck to the Phone SOFT POP – Stuck to the Phone
- Film Festival Song (7/9/2025)
Gardner Magazine releases original song “Film Festival”
In honor of the Block Party Filming Day Festival in Gardner on July 16th from 11am to 6pm, Gardner Magazine is releasing the original song “Film Festival.” Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Film Festival Song
- Beat the Heat – original song (7/8/2025)
Gardner Magazine Releases original song “Beat the Heat”
Listen to any of the versions of the original song “Beat the Heat” on any device, CLICK PLAY.
POP – Beat the Heat DISCO FUNK – Beat the Heat POP FUNK – Beat the Heat
- Deep Dive – Nicholson’s Gardner (7/6/2025)
Deep Dive – Nicholson’s Gardner – Progress and Development
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
DEEP DIVE – Nicholson’s Gardner
- Movie in Gardner (7/5/2025)
Auto Draft “BOLIO: Spirit of the Mustang” is the latest flick to be filming in Gardner. Gardner has been a past location for portions of TV series and movies including Dexter: New Blood, Castle Rock, School Ties, Summer Interlude, Marble, and Viewpoint.
Movie Permit to Film a Movie in Gardner, CLICK for PDF. — More information from the City of Gardner website, CLICK HERE.
Movie Filming in Gardner During July and August
Director Jim Issa is bringing his cast and crew to the City of Gardner in July and August and is actively looking for volunteers to act as extras for a school assembly scene. And, there will be a Filming Day Festival on July 16th in Downtown Gardner across from the Gardner Ale House to celebrate the movie” BOLIO: Spirit of the Mustang”, also featuring a food drive for MVOC that day. A school assembly scene will be filmed at a Gardner School location on July 23rd. 100+ extras are wanted. Email: bolioextras@gmail.com NO compensation is provided. Minors need parental permission.
Movie Plot Synopsis (from Moviedelic)
The plot revolves around Dale Bolio, a high school shop teacher struggling with personal challenges. The tragicomic tale depicts his life overshadowed by recent setbacks. While he is already coping with the death of his mother, Dale’s wife decides to leave him. Moreover, he also senses a lack of respect at his workplace. His mundane existence turns around when he encounters Chuck Swayze, a charismatic life coach hired by the school to motivate the students. Dale and Chuck quickly form a strong friendship, but the former soon learns some unsettling truths about the latter, revealing that his new friend may not be as genuine as he appears.
Gardner’s film liaison is also its Purchasing Agent Joshua Cormier who wrote, “As the City of Gardner’s Film Liaison, I have had the privilege of working with various members of the film industry, at all levels of production and within numerous styles, and I can assure you that the city understands the positive impact that such projects have on our community. From larger productions such as Castle Rock and Dexter to the smaller commercials or independent productions and every project in between, the City of Gardner has provided aesthetic and proper locations, the support required to ensure an efficient and successful project, and the ancillary resources that strengthen a positive relationship within the process. We look forward to continuing this successful relationship with the film industry and welcoming more projects in the future.”
The following is part of Mayor Michael Nicholson’s welcoming message: “As the Mayor of Gardner, Massachusetts, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all those seeking our city as a remarkable filming destination. Our city, with its captivating charm and diverse offerings, is the perfect backdrop for your next project. Gardner boasts a wealth of possibilities, from unique neighborhoods to expansive commercial businesses, picturesque recreational opportunities, and a vibrant historic downtown commercial district….”
- This Week 7-4-25 (7/4/2025)
Gardner Magazine with “This Week in the Chair City” for July 4, 2025
Our Weekly News Magazine “This Week in the Chair City” for July 4, 2025. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
This Week in the Chair City 7-4-25 Greenwood Pool Sunday openings — Fiscal 6 interview — Editorial on the “Nonsense” — – Youth Center Director — – Songs – Events —- upcoming City Council meeting — A discussion regarding Helen Mae Sauter disposition — Other upcoming meetings
Full Fiscal 6 Interview, CLICK HERE
We also have the entire complete meeting AUDIO of the Finance Committee of 7-2-25. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Finance Committee 7-2-25
- Song – Independence Day (7/3/2025)
Gardner Magazine Releases an original 4th of July song “Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day”
“Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day)” is an original patriotic song for the 4th of July. The song celebrates America. We’re releasing it in the following versions: Pop Duet, Modern Country, Patriotic Rock, Patriotic Orchestral Overture, and Traditional.
POP DUET – Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day) MODERN COUNTRY – Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day) PATRIOTIC ROCK – Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day) ORCHESTRAL OVERTURE – Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day) TRADITIONAL – Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day) from Publisher Werner Poegel: “I wrote this with a love of the greatest nation on earth. I wrote this with a profound love for America. On this 4th of July as we celebrate Independence Day, let us rejoice and let us recognize how lucky we are to be Americans.”
Happy 4th of July! — Happy Independence Day!
From the song: “It is self-evident that all are created equal,and Another two hundred years will be America’s sequel,Living life with liberty and the pursuit of happiness,With a government given all of its rights from us.”
- Not Just Another Day – It’s Independence Day (7/3/2025)
Gardner Magazine Releases “Not Just Another Day (It’s Independence Day)”
Listen to the original song in celebration of the birth of the United States of America on any device, CLICK PLAY.
POP DUET – Not Just Another Day TRADITIONAL – Not Just Another Day ORCHESTRAL – Not Just Another Day PATRIOTIC ROCK – Not Just Another Day MODERN COUNTRY – Not Just Another Day
- Big Beautiful Bill (7/3/2025)
House Passes Senate Version of “Big Beautiful Bill”
On July 3, 2025 at about 2:30pm, the United States House of Representatives passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” with a vote of 218 to 214. As the Senate passed this version a few days ago, next step is the President’s signature. The bill is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump in time for an Independence Day July 4th ceremony at the White House.
- Beaches 7-3-25 (7/3/2025)
A check on Area Beaches Closed Due to Bacterial Exceedance
Beaches 7-3-25 CLICK IMAGE for larger view.
In the town of Templeton: Beamans Pond Campground and Beamans Pond Day Use are closed. In Winchendon: Lake Dennison State Park Day Use Beach is closed. The entire spreadsheet is listed here. CLICK on Image for larger view.
Note to readers: Gardner Magazine checked out the closed beaches on the state of Massachusetts website. However, due to a coding error, the site does not show any towns after the letter s. The only way to get an accurate list is to download the data which we did. Attached. We have sent emails and and left a voicemail to let the State of MA know. Here is a link to the state beach dashboard, CLICK HERE. Under the graphic showing only towns up to a certain letter, you’ll see icons for various download options.
UPDATE: 7/4/25: 2:15PM – A very kind man from the State of MA reached out to me just a few minutes ago and we discussed the problem with the State of MA website. I got a commitment that the State would look in to what coding changes could be made so the information put out to the public was perfectly clear and accurate. I thanked the man for working on the 4th of July. And it should be noted: There are many State and Municipal workers in every range of public safety areas who are working today for our benefit. Thank them when you see them. Happy 4th of July to all of you.
- 4th – 2025 (7/3/2025)
Happy 4th of July
On this Independence Day 2025, Gardner Magazine wishes you all a very Happy 4th of July as we celebrate our nation’s 249th.
July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2025
In 2026, there will be a big celebration of our 250th.
- Greenwood – July (7/2/2025)
Greenwood Pool Expands Availability
The City of Gardner announces that Gardner’s Greenwood Pool will also be OPEN SUNDAYS in July from noon to 5pm.
That means the pool will be open 7 days a week from noon to 5pm throughout the month of July.
Greenwood Pool will be open every single day in July.
Season passes are available for purchase online. Daily fees are: Walkins: $1, Seniors or Military(with valid id) $3, Children and Minors 17 and under $4, Adults $5
- Where Adam Landed (7/2/2025)
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.
Adam Lamontagne Interview 7-2-25 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.
- Fiscal 6 Interview (7/1/2025)
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.
Fiscal 6 Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson 7-1-25
- Fiscal 6 (7/1/2025)
Fiscal 6 – The Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson
Fiscal 6 is the 6th Fiscal Year Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has been in office and that started on July 1, 2025. We spoke with the Mayor about various needs and issues, and how things have changed over the last 5 years. Listen to the almost 2 hour interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Fiscal 6 Interview – Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson 7-1-25 Topics covered included: Mayor’s qualifications, training, and passions – Business – City Properties – Private Properties – Recreation and Open Space – Aesthetics – Fiscal Responsibility – Health – Parking – Education – Internet and Connectivity – Public Safety – Roads and Infrastructure – Veterans and Services – Legal Updates – Transparency – City Employees – Education – Water and Sewer – Industrial – Housing – Non-Profits – Promoting the City – Public Transportation – Patriotism and Ceremony – Recognition – Outreach – Environment –
- Saving an Egg (7/1/2025)
Gardner Fire Department Rescues an Egg
From Gardner Fire Department: “Today, Group 3 perfected their technique using hydraulic extraction tools. One member lifted the cinder block with the spreaders while another member used the cutters to carefully remove an egg without breaking it.”We are also showing you a photo of Gardner’s new Rescue1.
Around the Towns – News
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In the Community
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