Congregational Church of Phillipston, U.C.C.
60 The Common
Phillipston, MA 01331
Phillipston
Community
Newsletter
October 2016
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STAMP
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The Phillipston Congregational Church, U.C.C.
Our Community Church
Sunday Service at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday School begins at 10:00 a.m.
Church telephone 978-249-8583
Rev. Flynn 978-248-9558
Dear Friends,
The church fall Pumpkin Fair will be back at Red Apple Farm. As many of you know the
Phillipston Pumpkin Fair is the oldest pumpkin weigh in New England. The original
challengers Craig and Don, brought their pumpkins to Red Apple Farm to be weighed on
their big scales. Don's pumpkin weighed 96 pounds, and Craig's pumpkin which was named
Luther weighed 31 pounds. In the next year Craig challenged other friends, who decided to
compete. In 1980, the stakes were higher. Each had to pay a $50 entry fee, and the winner
had to treat the loser to a nice dinner out. This year there is no entry fee, and the prize
money will be from the Big Game Supper, which was organized by Tom Brouillet and
friends.
So please mark your calendars for Columbus Day weekend, October 8 and 9, from 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Red Apple Farm on Saturday, and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday! The
Pumpkin Weigh In will be at RAF. at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. There will be ribbons
for the Adult's and Children's categories. There will be food available including hamburgers,
hotdogs, soup, cotton candy and baked goods. Books will be for sale. The Ladies
Benevolent Society will have beautiful homemade items for sale as well as a quilt raffle
named "Home Sweet Home." The Agricultural Commission will host a children's event for
making scarecrows. All children can have their faces painted. Tickets will be available for
the cordwood raffle donated by Green Natural Resources Management, or wood pellets
donated by the North Quabbin Masonic Lodge in Athol. Hope to see you at Red Apple
Farm!
Your sister in Christ, Rev. Stephanie C. Flynn
Public Safety Sunday will be Sunday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. with a potluck brunch to
follow. Phillipston Fire, Police, EMS and Public Works are all invited!
THE NEWSLETTER IS ON www.phillipston.com
November 2016 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS October 23rd
Phillipston Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In
and Country Village Fair
At Red Apple Farm!
October 8 & 9, 2016
Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
Church Service Sunday 10am on Deck of Barn, All Welcome!
Pumpkin Weigh – Sunday, Oct. 9th at 1 pm
Come and register your giant pumpkin from 11 am to 1 pm
Sponsored by the Phillipston Congregational Church & Agricultural
Commission
~~~~~~~
Cash Prizes and ribbons awarded in children’s and adult categories
~~~~~~~
Drawing for cordwood donated by Green Natural Resource Management
and
Wood Pellets donated by North Quabbin Masonic Lodge
Drawing for Ladies’ Benevolent Society “Home Sweet Home” Quilt at
3pm on Sunday, October 9th
~~~~~~~
Community Information Booths – Petting Zoo – Slightly Read Books
~ Chuckwagon ~
Chili, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Soup, chips & Drinks Bake Table
“Come to the Country Village Fair in the Village”
Homemade craft items – – Jewelry – Silent Auction – Farmer’s Market
New this Year: Pie Judging Contest
For the Children: Games, Face Painting, Decorate your Own Cupcake &
Make Your Own Scarecrow
For more information: Call 978-516-8061
Phillips Free Public Library
Library Hours
(978) 249-1734
Monday 5-7pm
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday 9-2pm
Thursday, October 6 @ 6pm
st
Saturday 9-12pm (1 Saturday of each month, enjoy free coffee &
refreshments!)
New England Stone Wall Program
Join us in the Church vestry on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 at 7pm as stone-wall builder
and author Kevin Gardner gives a fascinating talk about New England Stone Walls.
Topics will range from the history of New England's thousands of miles of stone walls,
their styles and structures, to restoration tips and techniques. There will be a generous
question-and-answer period, during which listeners are encouraged to bring up specific
problems or projects on their own properties. This program is being held in conjunction
with the Phillipston Historical Society, and is generously funded through the Phillipston
Cultural Council.
Birch-twig holiday goose making demonstration
Learn how to make this festive and rustic holiday decoration with materials you find in
your yard!
Check out the “photos” page on our website to see the finished product. Karen Perkins
will present this step by step demonstration on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28 at 7pm at the
library.
PreSchool Story Hours
Story Hour is held every Tuesday at 10am. Join us for stories, crafts, snacks and fun! No
registration is necessary, call the library for more information.
New Books
Nutshell :
by Ian McEwan
The Woman in Cabin 10: by Ruth Ware
La Rose:
by Louise Erdrich
The Red Bandanna:
by Tom Rinaldi
Commonwealth: by Ann Patchett
Present over Perfect:
by Shauna Niequist
The Underground Railroad:
by Colson Whitehead
New Movies
Miracles from Heaven
The Man who knew Infinity
Money Monster
Me Before You
** Bookclub meets Wednesday, October 5 at 6pm to discuss
The Road to Little Dribbling : by Bill Bryson
COME ONE COME ALL TO THE PUMPKIN
WEIGH-IN AT THE RED APPLE FAIR ON OCT. 8TH
AND 9TH. SEE THE LARGEST PUMPKINS AND
ALSO THE SMALLEST. WEIGH-IN WILL TAKE
PLACE ON SUN. OCT 9TH AT 1 PM. YOU CAN COME
AND REGISTER YOUR PUMPKINS FROM 11 TO 1.
NO MATTER THE SIZE COME SHOW US YOUR
PUMPKINS!
!
Nominations being sought
Who do you think should be nominated "Citizen of the Year"?
Please send a short paragraph about the person you'd like to nominate for Citizen of the Year.
State why you think they should be chosen.
All nominations are due by 4 p.m., Friday, November 18.
Nominations should be sent to:
Phillipston Town Hall
Attn: Opal Clark
50 The Common
Phillipston, MA 01331
We already made about $50!
Thank you so much. Remember that whenever you shop at Amazon they will
contribute 5% of your purchase price to the Historical Society of Phillipston if you
shop at www.smile.amazon.com. Just fill in the charitable organization site
(Historical Society of Phillipston) and you are making a donation to the Society at no
extra cost for your purchase.
LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
The September meeting of the Ladies Benevolent Society was held on September
21, 2016 at the home of Janice Howard, with Pastor Stephanie Flynn hostessing.
The October meeting will be the Annual Mystery Ride on October 19, 2016 with
participants meeting at the church at 10am to car pool. It is still a well kept secret
as to where they are going. A surprise! The planning of this event is in the hands of
Mel Haughton and Nancy MacEwen. Anyone who plans to attend should call Mel
Haughton, 978-249-3171, to register and for more information Final plans were
made for the Ladies Benevolent Society participation at the Pumpkin Weigh-In and
Country Village Fair being held on October 8th (10 am to 4 pm) and October 9th (11
am to 5 pm) at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA. The “Home Sweet Home”
quilt will be displayed and tickets will be available to purchase ($1 each or 6 for $5)
those days. The drawing will be on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. Tickets may also be
purchased from any member of the Ladies group. Plans are being made for their
annual Christmas Party to be held this year on December 14, 2016 in the vestry of
the church. This is always a fun event and open to the men of the church. The
November meeting will be held on November 16, 2016, with the meeting place to be
announced. The January 18, 2017 meeting will be held at the home of Nancy
Nason with Marie Lalena and Barbara Sanden being hostesses. The Ladies
Benevolent Society is open to all ladies, please feel free to come and join us.
Lifetime dues are 50 cents, very reasonable.
FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE:
2ND QUARTER FY2017 TAX BILLS DUE NOVEMBER 1ST.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A TAX BILLS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE TAX COLLECTOR
OR CALL 978-249-1731.
JUST A REMINDER, IF THE OFFICE IS CLOSED DUE TO WORK SCHEDULES OR
INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FRONT DOOR OF THE TOWN HALL HAS A
LETTER SLOT. YOU MAY PLACE YOUR PAYMENTS IN AN ENVELOPE, NO
POSTAGE NEEDED AND WE WILL MAKE SURE IT GETS TO THE RIGHT DEPT. IF
YOU LIKE A RECEIPT, PLEASE INCLUDE A SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
THANK YOU,
TAX COLLECTOR
We already made about $50!
Thank you so much. Remember that whenever you shop at Amazon they will
contribute 5% of your purchase price to the Historical Society of Phillipston if you
shop at www.smile.amazon.com. Just fill in the charitable organization site
(Historical Society of Phillipston) and you are making a donation to the Society at no
extra cost for your purchase.
North Quabbin Garden Club
On Thursday, October 20, 2016, 7 pm, C.J. Lammers, a Certified Arborist, will present Tree
Identification 101. Come to this hands-on workshop to learn the basics of woody plant
identification. Participants will use samples of branches to become familiar with the
identification features of woody plants and sort them by their common characteristics.
Dichotomous keys will be discussed and used in this exercise.
An affiliate of the Millers River Environmental Center in Athol, the North Quabbin garden
Club formed in 2006 to encourage interest in all phases of home gardening. With efforts to
promote better horticultural practices and foster civic beauty, emphasis is placed on use of
native plants, organic gardening, and the conservation of natural resources. Monthly
meetings are usually held on the third Thursday evening of each month featuring
informative speakers or workshop sessions. Members are currently working on a wildlife
habitat garden at the Millers River Environmental Center. Guests and new members are
always welcome, so join us this month and learn something new about gardening. Meetings
are free to members and guests are asked for a donation.
Historical Society of Phillipston
welcomes all
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 7:00p.m.
to a demonstration and talk by Kevin Gardenerr
New England Stonewalls
Mr. Gardenerr is an expert on stonewall construction and has written a book
Granite Kiss on the topic. He not only will tell us the history of stonewalls in New
England, he will also explain a variety of building techniques and styles, and how
they've changed over the years. He will show a miniature wall to demonstrate
various methods, and is happy to answer questions from the audience about their
own stonewall projects or restoration problems.
There are thousands of miles of beautiful stonewalls in New England, and many
of them are local so this is a program that will interest and benefit us all.
Refreshments will be served. All are welcome, 7 p.m. on October 19th in the
Phillipston Congregational Church Vestry.
The Phillips Free Public Library obtained a grant for this program from the
Phillipston Cultural Council and welcomed the Historical Society to join them in its
presentation. Thank you.
FIRST ANNUAL PIE JUDGING CONTEST AT
PUMPKIN WEIGH-IN & COUNTRY VILLAGE FAIR AT RED
APPLE FARM, OCT 8 & 9. PHILLIPSTON, MA. Only
homemade pies, bring them in between 10 – 12 either day.
Judging will be at noon each day with prizes. Pieces of
The pies will then be available at the ChuckWagon.
SEE YOU THERE!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 11/8/2016 State & Presidential Election
Check your voter status
Online Voter registration Now Available
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin is pleased to announce that
online voter registration is available in the Commonwealth through the portal launched by
his office. This important advancement will make registration easier and more convenient
as well as cut costs relating to the printing of voter registration forms.
Massachusetts citizens can apply online by visiting Secretary Galvin’s website at
www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to
access the online application system. Any Massachusetts citizen who has a valid
identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able to use the online
system to apply to register to vote, update their address or change their party enrollment.
Massachusetts citizens who do not have identification issued by the Registry of Motor
Vehicles can still complete an application online which they can print, sign and mail or
hand-deliver to their local election official.
With the State & Presidential Election on November 8, 2016, now is the time to visit
Secretary Galvin’s website to check your voter registration status and make any updates as
necessary. Last day to register is October 19, 2016.
You can also contact the Town Clerk’s Office and check your register to vote status.
e-mail [email protected] or call 978-249-1733. There is voter registration
forms also available at the Town Hall 24/7 located on the front of the building by the mail
slot. The convenient mail slot allows you to drop your voter registration right off.
You must be registered to vote in the town you live in - the last day to register is
OCTOBER 19th!!!!
Senior Lunch Menu
Oct . 4: Grilled chicken breast w/ honey mustard sauce, orzo pilaf w/ spinach.
broccoli, & mixed fruit.
Oct. 18: Beef stew, green beans, whole wheat bread, pineapple chunks.
Milk is served with each meal. Meal served at Noon.
Call Paula at 978-248-9976 for reservations by the Sunday before the meal.
Suggested donation of $2.50 If you need a ride we can help with that.
STATE & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016
7:00am to 8:00pm
Last day to register to vote and change
Party enrollment
- Wednesday, October 19, 2016
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Last day to post warrant for State
Election (at least 7 days before)
EARLY VOTING
-
- Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Nov. 4, 2016
(NEW For November 8, 2016 Election Only)
Preliminary Regulations and Hours of Early Voting:
 Early Voting is open to all voters!
 Early Voting will take place at the Phillipston Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office,
Monday, October 24, 2016 thru Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 4:00pm
 Hours of Early Voting for Phillipston:
Monday, October 24th – 8:00am to 8:00pm
Tuesday, October 25th thru Thursday, October 27th - 8:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, October 29 - 8:30am to 1:00pm
Monday, October 31st - 8:00am to 8:00pm
Tuesday,
November 1st - 8:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday, November 2nd - 8:00am to 8:00pm
Thursday, November 3rd - 8:00am to 4:00pm
ABSENTEE VOTING -
is permitted prior to each Election until Noon the day
before the Election. For the State Election on November 8, 2016 Absentee Voting ends on
Monday, November 7, 2016 at 12 Noon. Absentee Voting applies to:






A registered voter who is absent from the voter’s city or town during normal
polling hours;
A registered voter with a physical disability
Religious belief; OR
A non-registered voter who is absent from the state; or
An active member of the armed forces or merchant marines, their spouse or
dependent, or
A person confined in a correctional facility or a jail, except if by reason of felony
conviction.
Classes
Guest Presenters
Kids Activities
Demonstrations
Safety
Fair!
Sunday, October 23
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phillipston Fire Department
90 State Road, Phillipston, MA
For more information, please visit our
website at
www.phillipston-ma.gov/firedepartment
COME TO PUMPKIN WEIGH-IN & COUNTRY
VILLAGE FAIR
AT RED APPLE FARM, PHILLIPSTON, MA
OCT 8TH & OCT 9TH
2 RAFFLES:
RAFFLE #1
A TRUCK LOAD OF WOOD
RAFFLE #2
1 TON OF PELLETS
BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS THERE OR GET THEM AHEAD OF TIME FROM
ANY MEMBER OF THE PHILLIPSTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Dear Phillipston Residents,
Hello, my name is Graeme Richard, lifelong resident of Phillipston, and I am entering my
senior year at Monty Tech pursuing electrical as my trade. I play soccer, and baseball, and I
also run track. Being a student athlete I still manage maintain a 3.7 GPA, which is not an
easy task, as well as participate in extra circular activates like Mr. Monty Tech. This past
spring my friend told me about this Haiti trip she applied to go on and I thought that would
be a life altering experience so I asked her when the applications were due by and she said
Friday. It was Wednesday so I had to bust a move while keeping up with school and sports
and write an essay to tell why I should be one of the ten kids going. I wrote my heart out
and put everything I had into it, because I quickly become passionate about making a
change, and I was one of the 10 out of 70 applicants that got accepted. I was near tears
when I heard the news because that is how much it meant to me and that is how much of a
difference I want to make. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and I find it
crazy the amount of things we take for granted compared to them. The woman who started
the foundation Forward in Health (the foundation which my school is going through) told
me a story of one time when she gave a kid a toothbrush, a simple toothbrush, down there
and it lit up his world. That little and simple of a thing can make their day which is
absolutely astonishing compared to the way we take things for granted. I want to make a
difference I know I am only one person but one person can change the world. We enduring
on this journey on my April vacation of 2017 and we will be down there for a total of 8
days. Over those 8 days we will help at food banks, help build houses, and learn about the
Haitian culture which I am very much looking forward too! The only down side of going on
the trip is it is going to cost $1700. I’ve been working for an electrical company all summer
but it’s hard to raise that amount of money. I know it’s out of the blue to be asking this of
you, but I just need a little help. You could give me some spare change or a couple dollars it
honestly doesn’t matter every little bit helps and is appreciated beyond belief.
If you are interested in donating, or even knowing more about my motives or the trip itself
please contact me anytime text or call at 978-895-5411 or at my home phone 978-939-5773
Thank you for your time,
Graeme (-:
Harvest Supper
The Phillipston Congregational Church
October 29, 2016 Serving at 5 P.M. & 6:30 P.M.
For reservations call, 978-248-9976