Orange Senior Citizens Club meeting

ORANGE — After taking the month of January off, The Orange Senior Citizens Club will meet on Thursday, Feb. 1, (weather permitting) at 1 p.m., at the Orange Senior Center, 62 Cheney St., Orange. As is outlined in the bylaws, if school is canceled due to inclement weather, the Orange Senior Citizens Club meeting is canceled.

This is a regular monthly business meeting, and all members are invited to attend. Guests and new members are always welcomed. Any local resident, age 50 or older, is eligible to become a member of the Orange Senior Citizens Club. Dues are only $5 per year.

At the December 2023 meeting, reports of committees were given by the chairpersons. The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that the Orange Senior Citizens Club will be awarding two $500 scholarships to students who are residents of Orange. Applications are now available in the Student Services Department at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School and at the Franklin County Technical School.

Students who are graduating from Mahar or Franklin County Technical School in 2024, (who are residents of Orange) as well as resident students who are already attending a college or university are eligible to apply.

Following the December business meeting, members enjoyed a Yankee Swap of wrapped and bagged gifts. The cookie swap was a delicious way to end the frivolity of the gathering.

The agenda for the February meeting includes the minutes of the meeting of December 2023 given by the secretary, the treasurer’s report, and committee reports. Any new business and old business will also be discussed. Announcements of upcoming community events are always part of the meeting, and a 50/50 drawing will take place. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

Megan Ward of Orange achieves President’s List honors at Nichols College

DUDLEY — Megan Ward of Orange is one of more than 215 students who achieved President’s List honors during the fall 2023 semester at Nichols College.

President’s List recognizes those students who achieve high grades during a single semester. Students whose semester average is 3.85 or higher for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and no grades below B- will receive President’s List honors.

Quabbin Valley Pro Musica 2024 winter concert

ORANGE — Quabbin Valley Pro Musica presents its winter concert, “A Joyful Noise: music for voices, brass, and strings.” Geoffrey Hudson directs the singers of Quabbin Valley Pro Musica accompanied by an ensemble of local instrumentalists in a bright, uplifting, and varied program of music for voices, strings, percussion, and brass. Highlights of the program include Henry Purcell’s “Te Deum and Jubilate” and mellifluous psalm settings by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Antonio Caldara. The program also includes two songs of celebration from Trinidad and Kenya, as well as a lyrical and energetic “Te Deum” by the 18th century Austrian composer Michael Haydn.

QVPM is a chorus open to singers of all ages, genders, and musical backgrounds. Since 1993, it has been the resident chorus of the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem. Led by Music Director Geoffrey Hudson and Collaborative Pianist Judy Johnson, QVPM comprises 20 singers drawn from across the North Quabbin and Pioneer Valley regions.

Petersham Congregational Church to hold lasagna dinner

PETERSHAM – The Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham will hold its annual lasagna dinner as a to-go meal, with pickup from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 17, at the church, located on 21 N. Main St. Options are veggie or meat. Cost is $25 for half a steam pan (10.5”x8”x2.25” Serves 6+), proceeds to help repair weather damage to the church. Reservations required by Saturday Feb. 13, call 978-724-3362 to place orders.