Winchendon MA

Winchendon MA Local News and Community Information

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• Winchendon Fall Festival 2026

  

  Winchendon Fall Festival 2026 a Big Success – Date Planned for Next Year

  The Winchendon Fall Festival was held on October 10, 2026 was a huge success. Hundreds of people attended the event which had many vendors.

  Organizer Nicole Roberts has already posted next year’s date as October 9, 2027.

  Nicole Roberts posted on behalf of the Winchendon Fall Festival: “ Thank you for another amazing Winchendon Fall Festival! What a great day! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and I’m so thankful to everyone who came out and spent the day with us. Thank you to our community for showing up, supporting our local businesses, and making the festival what it is. And to all the local businesses, vendors, and organizations who took part, thank you for being there and helping make this event so special!

  A huge thank-you to our Police, Fire, and DPW departments. I truly couldn’t do this without you, and I appreciate all the time and help you put into making this day happen! Thank you to RanDom Band for putting together such a great lineup and helping make this year’s Winchendon Fall Festival so much fun! We appreciate you being part of it and helping make the day such a success!

  A special thank-you to the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation for funding this event year after year. Because of your continued support, we’re able to offer free activities for the kiddos, and that means so much!

  I’m so grateful to everyone who helps make this festival happen. It takes a lot of people working together, and I appreciate every one of you!”

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• Nicholson the Candidate

  

  For more information about Mike Nicholson and the various issues affecting the 2nd Worcester District, visit the candidate’s website, CLICK HERE.

  Michael Nicholson the Candidate – From Drum Major to Mayor and Beyond

  Listen to the Chair Man and the Chair Lady speaking about the candidate and reviewing the various issues. Learn the details. CLICK PLAY.

  
  The political and economic landscape across Massachusetts municipalities is defined by severe budgetary strain, escalating fixed operational costs, and increasing pressures on local tax bases. In this environment, the 2nd Worcester District requires legislative leadership that extends beyond theoretical policy craft. Michael Nicholson’s candidacy for State Representative is built upon a foundation of proven, executive municipal management. Having successfully managed local government operations through global health crises and fiscal uncertainty, Mayor Nicholson brings a grounded, pragmatic approach to Beacon Hill. His transition from a city executive to a state lawmaker offers the Commonwealth’s legislature a direct line to the operational realities facing cities and towns, ensuring state policy directly reinforces local fiscal sustainability. Election is November 3rd.

  

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• Little Anthony’s Closes

  

  Little Anthony’s Closes – Has message for Customers

  Little Anthony’s Restaurant has been open in Winchendon for over 3 decades, having been founded by the LaGrassa family in 1993 and later sold in 2024 to retired educator Alexis Curry. Little Anthony’s was noted for its seafood, burgers, and ice cream. As of October 5, 2026, the restaurant closed indefinitely.

  On October 8^th, owners released the following statement: “A Message to Our Customers – Little Anthony’s wants our customers to know that we will gladly provide refunds for all unused gift certificates. In the coming days, we will provide a link and additional information explaining how to submit the necessary information to process your refund. Tomorrow, we will also be reaching out directly to those who currently have catering events booked with us to discuss the next steps. We sincerely thank everyone for their patience, understanding, and support during this difficult time.” Little Anthony’s Facebook page, CLICK HERE.

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• Winchendon – Music

  

  5 Unmissable Music Happenings in Winchendon, MA This Week

  Wondering what to do close to home this week without making the drive to Boston or Worcester? You don’t have to go far to find high-energy entertainment, rich culture, and genuine community connection right here in Winchendon! From October 8 through October 10, 2026, the ToyTown is packed with an incredible lineup of events—ranging from secret speakeasies and creative art fundraisers to touring gospel royalty and classic autumn festivals. Grab your calendar and get ready: here are five unmissable highlights happening in your backyard this week!

  Art Meets the Lanes at “Pins For Possibilities”: Lace up your bowling shoes for a fantastic cause! This Thursday evening, “Pins For Possibilities” takes over The HUB for a vibrant night of free bowling, live music, delicious food, and a raffle. The real highlight of the evening is a silent auction showcasing uniquely decorated bowling pins hand-crafted by local talent. Every pin auctioned and ticket sold directly supports art programs in our community.

  Pairing visual arts with fun recreation is a brilliant way to supercharge local fundraising. By bringing artwork out of quiet galleries and onto the bowling lanes, this event lets neighbors socialize, enjoy great entertainment, and directly invest in Winchendon’s creative future. Event Details: “Pins for Possibilities: Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Venue: The HUB (Winchendon CAC), 5 Summer Drive Note: Open to ages 15 and up.

  A Secret Password and Spooky Vibes at Snowbound Club: If you are craving a little mystery and immersive atmosphere with your nightlife, look no further than A Haunting Speakeasy Experience at the Snowbound Club this Thursday. Sip on custom drink specials and soak in live music from local favorites The Willies—if you can get past the front door, that is! True to vintage speakeasy rules, you’ll need to whisper the secret phrase to gain entry. Interactive, themed nightlife adds such a playful, thrilling spark to our local entertainment scene. Stepping through a password-protected door turns an ordinary night out into an unforgettable adventure, proving that Winchendon certainly knows how to keep things exciting after dark. Entry Requirement: Must state password “is lurch in?” at the door. Event Details: Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM | Snowbound Club, Inc, 130 Baldwinville Road.

  Double-Feature Friday: Local Open Mic vs. Touring Gospel Royalty: Friday night brings a dynamic musical double-feature that highlights the amazing range of our local music culture. Whether you want to root for homegrown talent or experience world-class touring artists, Winchendon offers the best of both worlds. Kick off your evening at the Sound Bites Open Mic at The HUB (5 Summer Drive), running from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It is a warm, welcoming space for local musicians, songwriters, and performers to take the stage, test out new material, and connect with fellow music lovers in a relaxed setting. Just down the road at 7:00 PM, the United Parish of Winchendon (39 Front Street) hosts The Needhams Live Concert. Celebrating over 28 years of touring, this acclaimed family gospel group brings decades of rich harmony, heartfelt lyrics, and seasoned stage presence to our town. Offering both grassroots open mics and legendary touring traditions on the exact same night shows just how thriving our local music scene truly is. It proves our town deeply values fresh, emerging local voices as much as it honors long-standing musical legacies. Admission: Free admission (a love offering will be collected).

  Classic Autumn Magic at the Parks & Rec Fall Fest: Nothing captures the spirit of New England autumn quite like a town gathering, and Saturday is brimming with seasonal cheer at the Fall Fest – Parks & Rec Festivities. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on October 10, 2026, the Winchendon area comes alive with quintessential fall traditions. Bring the whole family out for pumpkin painting, savory chili sales, and some friendly local rivalry with both a pie baking contest and a high-stakes pie eating contest! A full slate of family-friendly fall activities will be hosted throughout the day across the Winchendon area (be sure to check in with Winchendon Parks & Recreation for specific activity locations). These timeless gatherings remind us why fall in small-town Massachusetts is so special—it’s all about community connection, seasonal treats, and crisp autumn fun.

  Your Weekend in Winchendon Awaits : From art-adorned bowling lanes and hidden speakeasy passwords on Thursday, to grassroots open mics and gospel royalty on Friday, wrapping up with classic autumn festivities on Saturday—Winchendon is bursting with energy this week. It is a powerful reminder that incredible entertainment, culture, and community spirit are right outside our front doors.

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• Storage Unit Arrests

  

  Winchendon Police Arrest Two Individuals on Numerous Charges Relating to Self-Storage Break-ins

  The Winchendon PD issued this Press Release on September 24, 2026: “On 9/12/2026 between 0023-0145hrs and, again, on 9/14/2026 between 0844-1022hrs., several self-storage units located on the property of Winchendon Self Storage (67 Gardner Rd.) were broken into and numerous items of value were stolen. The suspects, who were captured on the property’s surveillance footage, were later identified as 37-year-old, Lee Bertram of New Ipswich, NH and 56-year-old Jeannette Marie Tyler of Rindge, NH. Following an investigation conducted by Winchendon Police Detective, Caleb Similia, both suspects were arrested and charged on (1) count of Conspiracy, (6) counts of B&E in the Nighttime to Commit a Felony, (6) counts of B&E in the Daytime to Commit a Felony and (1) count of Possession of Burglarious Instruments. Several of the stolen items have already been recovered, as well as additional property, suspected of being stolen. The suspects, who are being held on bail, were arraigned in Winchendon District Court on Monday, 9/21/2026. Their next court appearance is scheduled October 16th, 2026“

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• Winchendon News Report

  

  The infographic below provides detail on major Winchendon MA events from Autumn 2026 to Spring 2027.

  Winchendon News Report – September 4, 2026 – Huge Jump in Voter Turnout

  The Chair Man and the Chair Lady provide a complete report (Although they say there are 11,000 students when they mean to say 1,169. They will be spoken to, but not harshly because we love them.) Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Magazine offers a comprehensive look at local governance, education, and social life in Winchendon, Massachusetts, during the autumn of 2026. We detail the successful start of the school year for over 1,100 students despite minor busing issues, as well as an unusually high voter turnout for the state primary elections. The community is actively promoting economic development and cultural engagement through initiatives like the Beals Indie Author Book Fair and various town-wide festivals. Additionally, we are providing a massive community calendar, listing diverse activities ranging from senior lunches and yoga to interactive mystery shows and haunted house experiences. Winchendon is deeply invested in volunteerism, local business support, and collective recreation.

  

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• State Rep Race

  Update 9-4-26 9am: Nate Boudreau has formally endorsed Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson stating: “this November, I’m voting for Michael J. Nicholson” Read Boudreau’s entire statement here on PDF, CLICK HERE.

  

  Nate Boudreau Out, Nicholson and Reilly on November Ballot in 2^nd Worcester District Rep Race

  While the exact number of write-in Republican votes for Nathan Boudreau in Gardner has not been announced, a win is a mathematical impossibility. The candidate won a total of 23 write-in votes total among Ashburnham, Winchendon, and Templeton. If Boudreau ends up winning 100% of the write-in 104 votes from Gardner, the total would still be only 127, 23 short of the 150 minimum required to secure the Republican nomination and be on the November ballot. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson was unopposed as a Democrat, and John Reilly is running as an Independent.

  Boudreau prematurely congratulated Mike Nicholson in a post: “First, congratulations to Representative-elect Mike Nicholson. I wish him well, and I sincerely hope he succeeds for Gardner, Ashburnham, Templeton and Winchendon. When he succeeds for this district, we all do.” Boudreau also thanked his supporters. There is a reason why Nate Boudreau did not consider that John Reilly has a realistic chance – Besides Reilly’s lack of government experience, it may be because it has become known that Reilly had a number of profanity-laden facebook posts which have been screenshot and publicized. (In our opinion, the Reilly posts were so nasty and vile we will not publish them here.)

  John Reilly Jr. responded to the public outrage by posting: “I did and said a lot of wild and crazy things when I was younger. I’ve never claimed to be perfect or a “mainstream candidate.” I’m in this for us though. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, I’ve learned from all of them. I’ve said and done a lot of things, some I wish I could take back. I never give up though. Everyone has to make adjustments from time to time. I understand and will always root for you.”

  Interview Opportunities were offered to Reilly: Gardner Magazine has done interviews with Nicholson and Boudreau and offered the same opportunity to Reilly. Local radio station WGAW has done interviews with Nicholson and Boudreau and offered the same opportunity to Reilly and all candidates for office. Reilly has given no response.

  The current State Representative of the 2^nd Worcester District, Jonathan Zlotnik has publicly endorsed Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson for the position.

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• Punitive Measures – Winchendon

  

  Town of Winchendon Residents Facing Violation Fees for Water Meter Non-compliance

  The Town of Winchendon posted this on its website on August 20^th: “Water & Sewer Billing Notice – Malfunctioning Water Meters. Over the past three years, the DPW has contacted affected customers by mail, phone, and other outreach to schedule meter replacements at no cost to the property owner. To encourage replacement of these meters and avoid water service shutoffs, a quarterly violation fee of $75 – $150 is being assessed to affected accounts that have not scheduled a replacement after multiple notifications.  This fee will appear on the next quarterly bill in October.

  Customers will have 45 days from date of bill to have the meter replaced before the fees are assessed. If the meter has been replaced within that time frame, violation fees paid from that most recent bill will be credited back to the customer’s next bill. If you received this fee, please contact the DPW to schedule your free meter replacement. Our goal is to get these remaining meters replaced so that customers can return to accurate meter readings and billing.”

  The 1 Day of Interest Debaucle

  In earlier development, Winchendon residents were inadvertently billed 1 day of interest and Winchendon posted: “In the latest water/sewer bill run, a mistake was made on the actual printed bills which caused one day of interest to appear on every bill. This appeared on bills even where no prior balance was due. The amount of interest varies from $.01 to $.15. If you have no prior balance you can ignore this interest amount and pay current charges. If you already paid it, it will be credited on your next bill. We apologize for the error and the confusion.”

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• Boudreau Interview 8-24-26

  

  CLICK on one of the infographics below for a larger image.

  Nathan Boudreau Interview – A Campaign for 150 Write-in Votes

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

  
  Candidate Nathan Boudreau is campaigning for a write-in vote in the Republican primary for the Second Worcester District state representative seat. Primary is September 1, 2026. Boudreau emphasizes his fifteen years of municipal experience, specifically highlighting his background as a town administrator and city councilor. Boudreau argues that the current state funding formulas for education and infrastructure unfairly disadvantage rural communities compared to urban centers. His platform focuses on increasing government transparency, ensuring affordability for taxpayers, and addressing the specific needs of Gardner, Templeton, Ashburnham, and Winchendon. Ultimately, he presents himself as a prepared leader capable of challenging the status quo on Beacon Hill to secure better resources for his constituents.

  

  

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• Nicholson Interview 8-14-26

  

  Various infographics are provided to further illustrate and expand upon the themes discussed during this August 14, 2026 interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. Gardner’s “Success Architect” is running for State Representative of the 2nd Worcester District.

  

  Municipal Leadership and Regional Strategy Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

  Gardner Magazine had the distinct privilege of speaking with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on August 14, 2026 for this interview showcasing key insights, policy positions, and municipal achievements. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  
  In this interview, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson discusses his record of municipal leadership and his vision for the 2nd Worcester District as he runs for state representative. He highlights his administration’s success in securing state grants and managing complex infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a new elementary school and various downtown revitalization efforts. Addressing regional challenges, Nicholson emphasizes the impact of systemic rising costs on municipal budgets and the importance of professional grant writing to boost local revenue. He also clarifies local controversies regarding property redevelopment and environmental safety, specifically addressing the remediation of historical sites. Throughout the conversation, Nicholson maintains that his technical experience in city management will allow him to better advocate for the district’s communities in the state legislature. He concludes by reiterating his commitment to maintaining essential services while pursuing long-term economic growth through collaborative regional planning.

  Gardner Magazine has frequently characterized the City of Gardner as the “Model City for America.” Under Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson’s tenure with the cooperation of the Gardner City Council, it is our position that the “Model City for America moniker has been earned. These infographics illustrate various aspects of the Mayor’s positions, policies, achievements, and models for success.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Gardner Magazine Video: The Discretionary Illusion. This video explains how difficult it is for municipalities to make ends meet when money is short as such a high percentage of the monthly expenses are mandatory. While there can always be some waste, a large amount of waste is almost mathematically impossible.

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