Tag: Athol

  • Athol Bird & Nature Club 2021 Calendar

    The Athol Bird and Nature Club (ABNC) calendar, chock full of nature notes, trivia questions and of course, some amazing photos of local birds, animals and plants is now available. While many people may enjoy a calendar with pictures of exotic nature and scenery, the “Birds and Nature of the North Quabbin” 2021 calendar focuses on the local beauty of this region making this calendar a local treasure.  

    The calendar, originally created by Cindy Hartwell, and now coordinated by Ernie LeBlanc, showcases photos taken in the North Quabbin region mostly by Athol Bird and Nature Club members. In addition, each month features extensive nature notes that provide very specific information such as when certain birds are migrating into or out of the area, when native wildflowers are blooming, when the peak of several meteor showers occur, and even when to listen for coyotes howling. Club members have an extremely broad range of interests, so a very diverse set of nature notes was compiled merely by picking their brains. 

    Fine-tuned for the climate in this area, the nature notes are what set this calendar apart from other pretty nature calendars. Many people frequently use the calendar as a learning tool with their children by going outside and trying to find what the calendar says to look for. 

    To further enhance the learning value of the calendar, each month features a nature trivia question. Do you know what a Red Oak Clearwing moth caterpillar eats?  Or, how does a beaver communicate danger to other beavers? Get the calendar to find out; the answers are on the inside back cover. Interesting facts about each month’s photo are also provided along with the photo credit to the member who took the photo.

    In keeping with the local theme, the calendar was printed by Highland Press of Athol, and as in previous years, area businesses have continued their enthusiastic support and paid for advertising in the calendar to help cover the printing costs. Being a high-quality product, people love to give them as gifts; they are great for grandparents and children, and are a wonderful reminder of home to family and friends that no longer live in the area.

    Order your Calendar Online today, or pick up your calendars in person at one of our local vendors (save on shipping fees) 

    The calendars are now available for purchase through the following local merchants: Trail Head, Quabbin Harvest, and Mount Tully Kennels in Orange; Flowerland @ Tintagels Gate, Else Where, Cornerstone Insurance,  MacMannis Florist, the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, and the North Quabbin Community Coalition in Athol; the Royalston Country Store in South Royalston,  the New Salem General Store in New Salem; the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston; the Petersham Craft Center in Petersham; the Hardwick Farmers Co-op in Gilbertville; the Kitchen Garden in Templeton; the Wendell Country Store in Wendell; Connecticut River Liquors in Turners Falls; and the Wine Rack and Ruggeri’s Beverage & Redemption Center in Greenfield. Still Just $10.00

  • Wednesday, November 14, 6:00 pm – Athol Rocks! One Billion Years as Seen in Local Rocks and Landscape

    Amazing events have shaped the rocks and landscape of this part of Massachusetts. Attend the Athol Bird and Nature Club Annual Dinner Meeting on Wednesday, November 14 to hear all about it.

    Continents have collided and split. Dinosaurs lived here. Great glaciers have left their mark on the landscape. Learn about these events and see and feel samples of some interesting geologic specimens (such as the rare Jurassic armored mud balls) in this presentation by Professor Richard D. Little. This 60 minute power point program will include handouts and samples. Copies of Professor Little’s books and DVDs will be available for purchase at a discount. Richard D. Little, Professor Emeritus, Greenfield Community College, has presented numerous programs about the region’s amazing geologic heritage and has authored several books and articles, and produced two video programs available on DVD. He leads “Fantastic Landscapes” tours within the United States, Iceland, and Scotland.

    As usual, ABNC will hold its annual dinner meeting at 6 p.m. in Liberty Hall at the Athol Town Hall (584 Main St.), with the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are required for the dinner and must be received by Tuesday, November 3. To reserve, call Cindy Hartwell at 978-828-7665, or email cindyhartwell56@gmail.com. There will be two dinner options available stuffed chicken or vegetarian lasagna  – please indicate your preference when making the reservation. She will call or email you back with a confirmation of your reservation. No reservations are necessary for the program. The event will also feature the always popular tin can auction; participants are encouraged to bring an item to donate.

    Image result for Richard D. Little book

  • Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – 6th Annual Fungus Fair

    The 6th Annual Fungus Fair will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 15, from 10 – 5 at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. Have a fun-gi filled day with talks on Beginners’ Mushroom Identification with Noah Siegel, Mushrooms from All Seasons: What to Expect and When with Bill Neill, An Exploration into Micopigments for Dyes and Watercolors with Alissa Allen, and Common Edible & Poisonous Mushrooms, again with Noah Siegel.  Multiple forays will take place throughout the day, and there will be a mushroom cook-up and much more.  For directions and more information, visit http://www.millersriver.net, or email nsiegel1@yahoo.com.  You may also call 978-249-4260.

  • Saturday, September 1, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – September in the Park

    Join expert birders Joan and Larry Duprey and amateur botanist Christine Beckert Long in a stroll through the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park and Cass Meadow near 50 Main St. in Athol to discover the nature of an environmental park and the long-term vision for the area. Info: Chris Long, 978-249-0246 or christyblue@juno.com. Co-sponsored with the Friends of the Park. Part of Athol Bird & Nature Club’s celebration of Athol 2012. Photo from naturenoob.blogspot.com.

  • Saturday, August 11, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Out-of-the-Way Athol: Lawton State Forest

    Join naturalists Lula Field and Christine Beckert Long on Saturday, August 11 in exploring a part of Lawton State Forest with two beautiful ponds. Meet at Skyfields, the headquarters of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, 1461 Old Keene Rd., Athol. Wear long pants. Bring water, camera, field guides. Heavy rain cancels. Info: Chris Long, 978-249-0246. Co-sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club and  MGLCT and part of both organizations’ celebration of Athol 2012.

  • Saturday, July 7, 11:00 am – The Ants of Athol

    Honestly, if someone sends us an announcement with great alliteration, nothing will keep us from posting!  The Ants of Athol is a program of the Athol Bird & Nature Club, featuring Aaron Ellison, Ph.D., who will introduce you to some of the local ants at the Allen E. Rich Environmental Park and Cass Meadow. Dr. Ellison is a senior research fellow at Harvard Forest, and is the lead author of the new book A Field Guide to the Ants of New England, copies of which may be available for purchase.  Meet on Saturday, July 7 at 11 am at the park, near 50 Main Street in Athol.  Rain date will be Sunday, July 8.  For more information, contact the speaker at aellison@fas.harvard.edu.