CALENDAR
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Kirouac at VFW: 8 p.m. Regional musician Dan Kirouac performs live and for free at the Townsend VFW at 491 Main St. in West. Townsend. For more info please visit www.dankirouac.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, AND SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Black Powder Shoot: Set your camp on the shores of “Beaver Pond” for a weekend of adventure. The event showcases the competitive side of muzzleloading; the challenge of old-style marksmanship competition, and the preservation of our rich early 1800’s American shooting traditions. Townsend Rod & Gun Club promotes and preserves America’s rich hunting heritage by educating and enlightening visitors, hunters and non-hunters alike. It’s a living history re-creation with a fresh look at hunting and outdoor activities in general. The club is in Townsend off Route 13 on Emery Road; follow a half mile to the entrance on the left. Shooting begins at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday and the kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch. For information about the campout, muzzle-loading contest and trail walk, call Bob at 978-621- 6283.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Celebration of Ed and Mary West: The Townsend Historical Society will hold its annual pot luck luncheon at 2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at the Townsend Congregational Church. Bring a special dish to share, then join in a celebration of Ed and Mary West and their “enormous contributions” to the Historical Society over 40 years. RSVP to help in planning.
MONDAY, APRIL 22
Amanda Dwight Entertainment Fund Committee: 9 a.m., Memorial Hall.
Shelter Committee: 2:30 p.m., Memorial Hall.
TUESDAY, APRIL 23
Recycling Committee: 6:45 p.m., Memorial Hall.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Townsend Earth Day: Townsend’s Earth Day celebration will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, April 28, from noon to 4 p.m. “Bats, bees, birds, bugs and butterflies” will be the theme this year! We are sure to attract a large, enthusiastic crowd! If you want to join the group, just send me your Facebook info! Vendor booth space (12 feet by 12 feet) is $25 for profit, and free for nonprofit groups. $25 checks can be made out to the Town of Townsend (Board of Health in memo line) and mailed to Karen Clement, 101 Main St., Townsend, MA, 01469. Please e-mail clem6six@verizon.net to verify your interest.
Spring Fair at Squannacook: Supporters of the Ashby Elementary School will hold a Spring Fair for children and adults at Squannacook Elementary School (right behind the Townsend police station on Route 13) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get great deals from 70 local crafters, vendors, and comfy tables. Bring the family in for lunch, kid games, bake sale, and prizes. Any questions call Susan 978-386-7572 or email SUSANCLEMENT49@YAHOO.COM. All proceeds go to benefit Ashby Elementary School’s flooring project for our students.
Church supper: Townsend Congregational Church invites you to enjoy an Italian Dinner with pasta, salad, garlic bread and desserts from 5-6:30 p.m. Root beer floats are available for $1. The dinner will be hosted by the teachers and children of the Sunday School program. Tickets, available at the door, are $ 7 for adults and $4 for children ages 3 through 8. As always, children under 3 eat free! Dinners are also available for take-out. Townsend Congregational Church is an open and affirming member of the United Church of Christ. Everyone is welcome to attend our worship and community events. For more information, call 978-597-8925.
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Spring Fishing Derby: The Townsend Rod and Gun Club is holding a Spring Fishing Derby with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The derby will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the club pond, off Emery Road on Dann Colburn Way, just off Route 13 in Townsend. Entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. The pond will be stocked with hungry rainbow and brown trout. Get out your gear and come down for some spring fun. The derby is open to all area adults and children and promises to be a fun-filled day! Please bring your own fishing bait, but fishing licenses are not needed and Townsend Rod and Gun Club membership is not required. For information, call Jon at 978-597-2440.
SAVE THE DATE
Calling All Crafters for 32nd Annual Craft Fair
Amateur and professional craftspeople are invited to display and sell their original works at Townsend’s 32nd Annual Craft Fair, Saturday, May 18.
Registration is $20 for a 12-foot-by-12-foot site. Fifty-five craftspeople can be accommodated in a friendly and busy outdoor area on the Common, located at the junction of Routs 13 and 119 in Townsend Center.
The fair is sponsored by Townsend United Methodist Church and is a long time favorite for crafters and fair goers. It will offer crafts from all over New England, food-court, baked goods, silent auction, plenty of free parking, and restroom facilities. Registration forms are on the church website, www.townsendumc.com, or by calling the office at 978-597-2486.
BRIEFS
Townsend Methodist Church to Host Vacation Bible School
Townsend United Methodist Church is hosting a Vacation Bible School on Monday, August 5, through Friday, August 9, from 9-11:30 a.m.
The curriculum, “Everywhere Fun Fair” takes children to a global celebration with the look and feel of a world’s fair. Children will make friends with neighbors around the world and discover that God’s love can be found everywhere, including their own neighborhoods. Interactive Bible storytelling, games, rockin’ music, super science, cool crafts, and more are all part of the week long program.
The VBS is open to all children of the area ages 4-12. The cost is $5 for the entire week and pre-registration is requested.
The church is located at 265 Main St., at the corner of Routs 13 and 119 in Townsend Center.
For information or to sign up, call 978-597-2486.
Massachusetts Open Burning Season has started, and ends on May 1
Permits may be obtained during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday, at Townsend Fire-EMS Headquarters, 13 Elm Street, Townsend.
The cost for an Open Burning Permit is $20, an Agricultural Burning Permit is $25. Cash or check will be accepted. Please make all checks payable to Town of Townsend.
To exercise (use) an existing permit, please call (978) 597-8101 between the hours of 9 a.m. and Noon, seven days a week, each day you plan to burn. Please have your permit number and the address you are burning at available when you call. Permit fires may not be lit before 10 a.m. or after Noon on the day in question. Weather conditions may cause a ban on burning for the day.
Please be aware that due to recent budget cuts we are utilizing on-duty personnel for permit processing. This may result in Fire-EMS Headquarters being locked and unmanned during normal permit processing times while our staff is responding to calls for service. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
You must speak directly with a member or agent of the Townsend Fire-EMS Department before burning. Leaving a voice mail message is *not* considered notification. Failure to make proper notification will be considered an illegal burn, and my subject you to 1.) being liable for the cost of extinguishing the burn, 2.) a fine, and/or 3.) imprisonment. Allowing a fire to get out-of-control may subject you to the same penalties. (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 48, Section 13).
