Petersham Common Local News Page

Nichewaug Video Tour 1993

Right to Farm By-Law Session

The Selectboard has scheduled a public information meeting at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in the lower town hall to explore whether the town could benefit from implementing a proposed Right to Farm bylaw. Attendees will get a chance to review a proposed draft of such a bylaw and talk about next steps. More than 45 of the state's 351 cities and towns have implemented such bylaws as part of a state sustainable communities initiative

Petersham Jams Open Mic Returns

The next Petersham Jams is Saturday, February 1st starting at 7 p.m. at the Davis Memorial Hall (next to the Unitarian Church in Petersham). Show up to play, to sing, to listen, to dance!

Future Jams! are planned for Saturday, March 14 and Saturday, April 18, so mark your calendars. We will send out reminders as those dates get closer.

For musicians: we will be continuing to use the old school “first come-first served” sign-up. All musicians are asked to sign up that night. The sign-up board will be open at 6:30 p.m. and each musician can be assigned a spot of their choosing – again, on a first come-first served basis. Many musicians wish to play early, and those spots are at a premium. Please note that musicians will be limited to two songs and no more than ten minutes in total (including set-up).

Want to sing or play a song but need backup? Just email Robert Plotkin at rplotkin@alum.mit.edu the name and key of the song, and any chords you might have and the regular backup musicians will be there to play it with you!

If you want to use your own amp, please show up by 6 p.m. for a sound check. After the sound check, no new amps will be allowed on stage. Please feel free to share this email with family, friends and fellow musicians. .

Swift River Valley History Program

There will be a program on The Biography of Place: Understanding the Swift River Valley of Petersham on Thursday, January 23rd at 4:00 p.m. at the Country Store. The program will be led by Larry Buell, who is collecting material to write a book on the East Branch of the Swift River from its headwaters in

Phillipston to Pottapaug Pond in the Nichewaug region of the Quabbin Reservoir. The program will give an overview of the river valley and invite those in attendance to share stories and information from those who know and care for the great Swift River Valley. Invited quests include, Robert Clark, ecologist; Tom Conuel, local author; Candace Anderson, former resident in the Valley; Lucy Allen, Barre Historian; and others. The program includes timelines, maps, and pictures of the region. The program is free and open to the public For information contact Dr. Larry Buell at <larrybuellearthlands.org> (978) 724-0412..

This Program Is for the Birds

Stop by the Petersham Memorial Library on Saturday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m. for an up-close encounter with up to six live owls! Owls of the World - Who's Watching You? introduces you to the owls of New England and beyond. Presenters Mark and Marcia

Wilson share the field marks, signs, and skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them. Meet six live owls (from small to huge) up close. Everyone participates in a hooting lesson and learns tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. This is an all-ages event for winter vacation week sponsored by the Petersham Cultural Council. For more information, call (978) 724-3405 or visit petershamlibrary.net...

Broadband Update Meeting Jan. 25

Bucket truck crews are working in the center of town installing pole hardware and stainless steel cable designed to support multiple fiber lines. Matrix and Matrix subcontractors are now scheduled to work every day until final completion of the network late this spring.

At last night’s Zoning Board of Appeals hearing the application for a 160′ Petersham cell tower was denied. Broadband chairman Chip Bull said, "... keep in mind that once your home is connected to high-speed Broadband your cell phone can automatically route all your calls through your fiber-optic connection to the Internet with consistent “five bar” coverage. Just one of the many benefits of our new Broadband network."

Petersham Broadband Board will hold a citizens' information meeting at 4p.m. January 25 in the lower town hall. The board will provide project updates and scheduling information on customer service, connections, hardware, conduit and to answer questions from the public. Time will be made available for one-on-one review with Matrix Connected Fiber representatives. The board will meet at 7 p.m. January 15 in the Selectboard office for an update on the project.

Burning Brush Starts Jan. 15

Permits to burn brush will be available starting January 15. Here's the link http://c8burnpermits.com/ for everything you need to know and to request a one-day permit.

UU Church Schedule of Services

Listed below is the schedule of services and for January and February at the First Congregational Parish Unitarian..

Sunday worship services start at 10:30 unless otherwise noted. All services with Rev. Arthen includes music by Cathy Tyng or Marc Erwin. Lay-led services may or atholhospital

may not include music. Services from 1/12 through March will be held in the Davis Memorial Building

The 2020 Budget Hearing will be held 1/12/20 immediately following the service. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for 1/19/20 at noon, snow date 1/26/20. Please plan to attend so that we have our quorum.

JANUARY
ANNUAL MEETING – Noon
26 Rev Inanna Arthen

FEBRUARY
2 Rev. Inanna Arthen
9 TBA
16 Iva Kazda - Northern Exposure
23 Rev. Inanna Arthen.

Art Center Greets 2020 - New Classes

Alice Zanga presents her popular rug braiding class on eight consecutive Wednesdays, starting January 8th to February 26th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The class will take place in the Davis Memorial building at the Petersham Unitarian Universalist church to give room for the projects. Ms. Zanga is a juried fiber artist and has been teaching about and creating hand-braided rugs for decades. The class is suitable for beginners to advanced. A list of supplies needed will be available from the Art Center. Some supplies will be made available to the class to use or purchase. The cost is $60 for members and $80 for non-members

Sara Deponte's class is filled, but people are welcome to call and be put on a waiting list.

The rug class still has openings.Sara Deponte, fine artist from Petersham, will teach four consecutive classes on “Highlights and Shadows with Water Color” on Saturdays, February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 9 am. to 10:30 a.m. Ms. Deponte is known for her love of painting flowers and animal portraits. She has exhibited her work throughout New England. A list of supplies needed will be available from the Art Center. The cost is $30 for members and $50 for non-members. Class size is limited so students should call soon to reserve a place.

Call the Art Center at 978-724-3415 for more information and to register...

Dogs and Cats - Get Ready

The town will hold its annual rabies clinic at the Highway Barn in South Street on Saturday, January 25, 2020 (snow date) January 26,2020. Cats in cages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Dogs on leashes from 11:15 to 12:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $12.

Just for the Fun of It... click here