HOLDEN

• Jim Hurley is organizing a meeting to create a community refrigerator/pantry in Holden. These refrigerators are publicly accessible 24/7 and are placed in a community space where individuals and businesses can donate surplus food for anyone to take for free. It is designed to provide food until the person in need can get to a fully operational food pantry/bank.

 “Food insecurity is at a record high in Massachusetts,” explained Hurley. “It is not just an inner-city problem; it is everywhere, even if we don’t see it.”  This project is being initiated by 4 Others Inc., a Holden-based nonprofit founded by Hurley that seeks to make food readily available to those in need 24/7. For more information, email [email protected] or call 774-622-9732. The meeting will take place at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 21, at St. Mary’s Church, Princeton St., Jefferson.

• Congratulations to Jeff Prunier and his team on the grand opening of the new offices of J.R. Prunier Capital Management located at 61 Boyden Rd. The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting coordinated by the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce. 

• The Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Salute Breakfast, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed to the betterment of their community. Sponsored by J. R. Prunier Capital Management, this year the Chamber honored Janice Mitchell of Holden for her initiative of creating and donating poppy paintings to veterans’ groups across the region; Desiree Norquist of Rutland for her year-round dedication to preparing and mailing care packages to service members stationed overseas, and the Keep Holden Beautiful Committee for their volunteer efforts in beautifying and enhancing Holden’s Main Street.

A highlight of the morning was the presentation of the “Public Safety Person of the Year” award. This year’s recipients are Officer Justin Lawlor and K-9 Storm of the Rutland Police Department. Nominated by Police Chief Nicholas Monaco, they are being recognized for their heroic actions in stopping a dangerous suspect and ensuring the safety of the community. “Each year, we take this opportunity to salute those who make our region a better place to live and work,” said Chamber Executive Director Jen Stanovich. “Their commitment to service truly defines the spirit of our community.”

• The Eugene Oriol Memorial Community Scholarship, offered by the Oriol Foundation, is available to graduating seniors who live in Boylston, West Boylston, and the Wachusett District (Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, and Sterling) who plan to pursue a degree in health care. In May of each year, during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, a $1,000 scholarship recipient is selected. The foundation offers this scholarship to honor the legacy of Eugene Oriol. For more information, email [email protected] or call 508-829-1213. Application deadline is April 15.

• Miles Funeral Home recently received a community grant from the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce to help Hope Lives Here bring a meaningful new initiative - a bereavement group for children in the Wachusett area.

They will provide each child’s primary caregiver with a complimentary copy of Giving Hope: Conversations About Illness, Death and Loss - a trusted guide designed to help adults support children through grief with understanding, care, and open conversation. Many thanks to Miles and the Chamber for their support!

• The Oriol Foundation is proud to announce that Holden’s Mountview Middle School has been selected as the first recipient of its Accessibility Grant for Neurological Inclusion. The grant supports inclusive programs designed to create more accessible and supportive learning environments for students with neurological differences.

Representatives from the Oriol Foundation recently visited Mountview Middle School to present the award to Principal C. Erik Githmark and Assistant Principal Karen Hughes.

The school was selected based on its proposal supporting students in its Therapeutic Learning Center, which serves students with autism, trauma-related needs, and other emotional or neurological challenges.

“We are proud to recognize Mountview Middle School as the first recipient of this grant,” said David Oriol. “Their commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students truly reflects the spirit and purpose of this initiative.” Added Nathan Oriol, “This is a meaningful beginning for the Oriol Foundation. We are proud to launch this as an annual initiative supporting inclusion and strengthening our communities.”

PAXTON

• Moore State Park, a jewel of 747 preserved acres on Route 31 in Paxton, might see an expansion in 2026. According to Stephen Hair, who made a presentation at the March 9 Paxton Select Board meeting, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation is considering the purchase of what is called the Keyway Realty property, which runs from Route 122 to Nanigian Road and consists of 300 acres: 256 acres in Paxton and the remaining land in Rutland. Hair described the property and its importance and asked the Board to write a letter of support to DCR, which they unanimously voted to do. Stay tuned as details emerge.

• Applications for the 2026 Paxton MA Garden Club Educator Grant are now open. PMAGC awards an educational grant to organizations with educational, conservation, and beautification projects that use horticulture and gardening to engage our youth. Eligibility: Applicants will be public, (including homeschool), Richards Memorial Library and other 501(c)(3) organizations serving the town of Paxton, MA. Awards are up to $500. Applications are accepted through June 30. Grade Levels 1-8. Learn more and apply online www.paxtongardenclub.com/about-usjoin/pmagc-educator-grant

RUTLAND

• The PTOs of Glenwood Elementary School, Naquag Elementary School, and Central Tree Middle School are seeking applicants for the annual Marsh-Harding Scholarship, which is available to any graduating high school senior who has resided in Rutland for at least five years. The Scholarship will be awarded based on outstanding academic standing, exceptional extracurricular involvement, and leadership. Financial need may also be considered. Interested students should submit a completed application, along with the required essay, a copy of their high school transcript, SAT scores, and a written recommendation from a teacher or principal to: Marsh-Harding Scholarship Committee, Naquag PTO, 285 Main Street, Rutland, MA 01543. Students may obtain an online copy of the application on the websites of the three schools. The deadline for submission is May 8. The Marsh-Harding Scholarship is given annually by the three PTOs in memory of the two Rutland residents - school principal Donald Marsh and student Robert “Pete” Harding – who were killed in the Tornado of 1953.

• The Rutland Business Association - formerly the Economic Development Committee - is excited to invite the public to its first membership drive on Monday, April 13 at 6 p.m. at Ladd’s Restaurant, 64 Barre Paxton Rd., Rutland. Tickets are on sale at www.discoverrutlandma.com and are $25 per person. There will be plenty of opportunities to network, enjoy appetizers and sip a favorite drink from the cash bar.

The RBA exists to support, promote, and connect local businesses while fostering economic vitality and community pride. It will host networking events, educational workshops, and signature community experiences throughout the year.

According to the www.discoverrutlandma.com website, the RBA is a collaborative network of business owners, professionals, and community leaders working together to create opportunity and long-term growth in Rutland.

“Local businesses are the heart of our town,” RBA member Sabrina Heiniluoma said. “By working together, we can strengthen our economy, enhance community experiences, and ensure Rutland continues to thrive. “

The first step in creating this community is for businesses to become members. The RBA membership drive is open to businesses both in and out of town to come network with local business owners and learn about exciting new plans for Rutland. “With Ladd’s celebrating their 25th anniversary in town this year, this was the perfect place to hold our drive,” Heiniluoma said.

There are three tiers of membership, and all can be purchased on the night of the event or by visiting the website. The standard membership is $150 a year and is designed for local businesses looking to build connections, increase visibility and participate in community initiatives. The second option is an upgraded membership for $500 a year and includes all the above plus marketing support, leadership presence, and many other prominent add-ons. Either package can add social media for $100 per quarter.

The social media add-on buys a quarterly business spotlight post saved to Instagram highlights and Facebook albums, three tagged posts shared per week, and inclusion in seasonal marketing campaigns and promotions.

If your business is located outside of the town borders, become a community supporter for $150 per year. This will buy a listing on the RBA website as a supporting business member and invitations to attend networking and educational programs. This membership is not eligible for the social media package. To purchase tickets to the April 13 membership drive, visit https://www.discoverrutlandma.com/events-workshops and click RSVP.  W