| Mushroom of the Month |  |
 |
| The Oyster Mushroom | ||
| Pleurotus ostreatus |
DRY EGGS… Hay bales and lots of eggs on the second floor of the Town Hall, along with twenty pounds of melted chocolate made for a successful and dry egg hunt for the 65 kids that came out in this spring’s soggy weather to search for treasure. Thank you for all who made the day possible.
Food Co-op Reforming
All are invited to join the Royalston Community Co-op, a food buying cooperative
affiliated with Northeast Buyers' Association of Brattleboro, VT. A wide array of produce,
dairy products, non-perishables, paper goods, toiletries and environmentally-friendly
cleaning supplies are available. Many certified organics, soy and vegetarian products are
also available. Initial membership is $15 and includes monthly and sale issues of NE's
catalogue. Orders will be made monthly, delivered to our distribution site and unloaded
and sorted by members. If you're interested, sometime before May 15 call Mary C. Barclay
(249-2598), Brenda L. Putney (249-7787) or mail/drop off a $15 check, written to Royalston
Community Co-op.
Four-Day Carnival
Bourget Amusement Company is providing rides, fun and games Thursday through Sunday May
18-21 at the Clark Memorial. Proceeds will go towards the construction of the Clark's new
outdoor exercise track.
Bicycle Rodeo/Child Safety Day
The Winchendon Kiwanis, the Community Action Center (CAC) and The Clark Memorial Community
Center are sponsoring their fifth annual Bicycle Rodeo/Child Safety Day on Saturday, May 6
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clark. Presenting clinics and demos are the Winchendon FD
and dive team, Community Policing, DARE, Commit Coalition Against Smoking and the Clark's
Aquatic program. Plan on "moon walks," refreshments, raffles and a helmet
give-away. "
Three new applications from residents in the district are presently
under consideration by the RHDC. They include plans for a new picket fence at Andy &
Kristin West's property on the South Royalston Road, a new door sign for The Village
School and some structural landscaping at Pat Jackson's house off the South Royalston
Road.
The Landmark Trust, USA has requested an appeal of the recent RHDC ruling to deny
permanent removal of the roof balustrade on their property. The appeal will be heard by a
panel appointed by The Montachusett Regional Planning Authority. This panel will make a
decision at a hearing to be held in Royalston. The date of the hearing has not been
announced yet. The RHDC thanks all those who participated in the system by attending the
recent public hearing on this issue. Patience Bundschuh
Yips, Sips, and Violet Pips
Listen for the eerie yips of the Eastern Coyote in the night as babies cry for their
parents to come home from hunts with food. The yips stimulate the parents to throw up
their catch for the young as an intermediate step between milk and solid food.
Ticks are thick in May. These parasites climb to the end of grass a
stalk or another promising spot and wait, sometimes up to a week, for a host to pass by.
Unlike mosquitoes and blackflies, which use blood for reproduction, ticks use blood for
sustenance. They stick specialized mouth parts through the host's skin and suck blood
until their bodies have become engorged and expanded to three or four times their pre-meal
size. Male and female ticks meet and mate while aboard a host. When satiated with food and
company, ticks drop to the ground where they eventually molt to the next size body. The
female lays eggs. When these eggs hatch, they follow the same pattern of waiting for a
host, eating until engorged, dropping and molting. Although creepy, the most common tick
in Royalston, the dog or wood tick, poses no health risks. The deer tick that carries Lyme
Disease is here, however, and it can be so small that it looks like a poppy seed. Get
medical help if there is a red rash in a ring pattern even if you haven't seen a tick.
Flora to look for includes small star shaped May Flowers, Trillium, and the bush with
white flowers called Serviceberry or Shadberry because when it blooms the shad fish run in
the Connecticut River. Violets are out. As they finish blooming, a seed pod is formed that
explodes to distribute 1000s of seeds up to 15 feet.
Canoeing in Royalston
There are many lovely places to canoe in Royalston. One of the easiest places to canoe is
at the bottom of Doane Falls Rd. where it is easy to go onto either the Long Pond or Tully
Lake areas. Long Pond, on the north side of the road is a great place to see wildlife. As
you begin your paddling you go through a long marshy area. Turtles, ducks and other birds
abound here. Later the marsh opens up to the larger pond area. Jutting out on the right
almost as soon as you get into the pond is a bit of land. If you get out of your canoe
here and walk around a bit, you will come upon Spirit Falls. Though smaller than the other
waterfalls of Royalston, at this time of the year water is rushing down in small cascades.
It is very pleasant to take a walk up to the top of the waterfall. Back in the canoe you
can ride around the whole pond, or you can attempt to go into the marshy area north of the
pond. Again you don't have to go far into the marsh to see many different animals. Have a
great time!
| Mushroom of the Month | |
|
| The Oyster Mushroom | ||
| Pleurotus ostreatus |
The Oyster mushroom is one of are most common edible mushrooms, fruiting, often in abundance, from early April to December, sometimes at the same spot a few times a year. The common name "Oyster mushroom" comes from the white shell-like appearance of the fruiting body, not from the taste. Oysters grow in overlapping clusters, sometimes scattered, on logs, stumps, and standing trees. They also are cultivated commercially and sold fresh at supermarkets. Oysters taste great breaded and fried in olive oil and garlic or in stir-fries. The oyster shell or fan-shaped cap is 2-6" wide, white to pale gray or grayish brown, with a short off-center stalk. Gills are white, to yellowish with age. Oysters grow on dead maple and other hardwoods.
By: Noah Siegel
Daffodils
Wondering where all those new daffodils came from that are popping out all over town? Volunteers from your trusty old Friends of the Phinehas S. Newton Library planted over 750 bulbs at various intersections in Royalston last fall. Also planted were about 250 scilla bulbs (the small purple and blue flowers appearing nearby). Do you like them? Want some more? Have an idea for more locations? There will probably be another planting day this fall. Details to follow …
The Duke Is Coming
John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl, Duchess Margaret and about 50 Highlanders from Blair Atholl, Scotland, including many of the pipe and drum band members, will visit the area from June 1st to June 6th. We are still in need of Host Families willing to share their homes with our honored guests. It would be great to have some of them staying in Royalston. Additionally, on Sunday June 4th, a gala parade and reception is planned. We invite all groups, organizations, clubs, bands, businesses etc. to enter a float, marching unit or whatever in the parade. For more info contact the Chamber of Commerce at 249-3849
Open to the Public
Nature Arts & Exploration Program
An arts and crafts, singing, and nature exploration program for ages 4 to 11 will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, on the following weeks:
June 26, 27 & 29
July 10, 11 & 13
July 24, 25 & 27
This is the 5th year this program has been offered to area children. The cost is $60 per week. To sign up, send a check to the Village School with your child's name and age, and you will be sent registration and enrollment forms.
Wednesday Mornings in the Garden
Presenting a new Village School summer gardening, nature, and nature arts program serving area children in grades 2-6.
More information and a brochure will be available at the Village School after May 1st. Call then for more information, and to register at 249-3505.
Neighborhood Notes. For the past year, Patience Bundschuh has been working on a personal photography project which uses her training as an artist to document scenes from her surroundings with particular attention to careful framing of evocative architectural and scenic details. The results of this photography project are a series of note-cards sold in stores as Neighborhood Notes. Royalston cards are available at The Royalston Post Office. Half the proceeds from the sale of these cards go to benefit The Royalston Historical Society.
New Postcards. A new series of picture postcards featuring North Quabbin area scenery has been published by Bruce’s Pharmacy, uptown Athol. Photographs were provided by Allen Young of Royalston. Royalston scenes include Doane’s Falls and the Royalston Common.
Get Cozy. The Royalston Historical and Village Improvement Society still has afghans and pillows available for sale. The afghans depict various historical landmarks throughout Royalston. The pillow is of Doanes Falls. Currently available are Hunter Green, Cranberry Red and Navy Blue backed Pillows available for $25. A few Cranberry Afghans are still available for $45 or $40 if you are a repeat buyer. Add $5.00 if ship them to you. Contact Peter Kraniak at 978-249-7625 or email to Mark Smith at believe@excelonline.com with your order.
Wear Your Town. The Royalston Country Store carries sweatshirts with various Royalston themes. There is an especially nice embroidered one that should be back in stock soon.
Alice Anderson and Janet Brown are among the most valuable resources available to home schooling families in Royalston. These caring women run the General Educational Development (GED) and high school equivalency diploma testing programs out of the Winchendon CAC, located between Belletete's Hardward and Mathieu Ford, at 273 Central St.. They are ready, willing, able and anxious to help your home schooler improve their skills and prepare for a high school equivalency diploma.
The pair offers initial assessment testing, classroom-style GED prep classes Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., one-on-one tutoring and follow-up assessment testing, all for FREE! With their Mount Wachusett Community College counterparts, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Brown help participants register for the official tests ($50 for the series of five tests), teach valuable test-taking techniques, help students overcome test-taking anxiety and even make reminder calls so test day doesn't slip by unnoticed!
The GED prep program, classes and tutoring are open to anyone 16 or older. If you know people who have difficulty with reading or math, adults who left school many years ago to meet family or military obligations or perhaps drop-outs who discovered they don't know quite everything, have them call Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Brown at (978) 297-1667 or MWCC's adult education department at (978) 632-6600.
Three of our talented Monty Tech students contributed to the school's impressive showing at the district IV VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) "Massachusetts Skills USA" competition, held recently in Charlton. Michael Caisse of Norcross Road earned a bronze medal in "air-cooled gas engine repair." Crystal Cormier of Deland Road took the silver in "child care." Nicole LaFortune, also of Deland Road, won the silver medal in "office computer applications."
The Ladies’ Benevolent Society of Royalston recently sponsored an essay and poster contest as part of the Celebrate The Earth Fair at RCS. Resident children addressed the theme, "What I Can Do to Help the Earth." Winners are:
ESSAYS:
K-3 Division: First place tie: Blue Otto & Alexandra Krasowski
4-6th Grade Division: First place: Justin Duquette
Honorable mention: Dante Mendez, Hillary Ann Whitcomb, Kyle McCorquodale, Daniel Seco
POSTERS:
K-3 Division: First place: Alexandra Krasowski
4-6th Division: First place: Anthony Nix
Honorable mention: Colleen Boutell, Justin, Cascone, Rhetta Guimond, Ross Cormier, Ryan Peters
Monty Tech senior Zacharie St. Jean, grandson of Betty Woodbury, North Fitzwilliam Road and son of former Royalston resident Jan (Woodbury) St. Jean, now of Hubbardston, recently received the honor of "Student of the Month" at a Fitchburg Rotary Club luncheon. A National Honor Society student since tenth grade, St. Jean is in the cabinet making shop at Monty and working on an advanced woodworking course through Mount Wachusett Community College.
Ashley Gladden, Brian Hurtin, Rhetta Guimond, Marissa Kellner and Brendon Kellner, students at Royalston Community School, have had writing accepted for publication in the Western Massachusetts Writing Project Student Publications Program magazine. The magazine will be published in June by the University of Massachusetts.
The Ladies’ Benevolent Society of Royalston offers three scholarships: the H. Pauline Smith Scholarship for $300, the Clara Mimms Scholarship for $200, and the LBS Scholarship for $200. Any resident of Royalston pursuing higher education may apply, with the stipulation that awards will be granted only once to an applicant. The application forms for high school seniors are in the guidance office at AHS. Others who would like to apply should send a letter that includes education, community service, and work experience as well as statement explaining plans and goals in returning to a formal education setting. Letters should be sent to the LBS Scholarship Committee, c/o Chairman Nancy Bolton, 16 Bolton Rd, R.R. #2, Royalston MA 01368-8954. Both are due on or before May 17, 2000.
In addition, the $100 Donald Black Scholarship and the $250 Parent Teacher Group Scholarship are available to any college-bound students who ever attended elementary school in Royalston. Contact Joanne Caisse at Athol High School for information.
BATTER UP! The Royalston Teen Group invites all teens and older to come to our first pick-up Baseball Game on May 6th at 2:00 pm at the Royalston Rod and Gun Club. Bring your mitts - we'll have the rest. If younger people come, we will put together a parents and kids game too. Thanks to the Rod and Gun Club for letting us use the facilities.
The Clark Memorial Community Center in Winchendon annually offers a spectacular
"Learn to Swim Week" for children five and older. Participants can enroll in one
of four levels of classes and learn to swim or dramatically improve their skills. Slated
this year for June 19-23, the program is taught by enthusiastic Clark lifeguards and
swimming instructors, all under the watchful eye of aquatics director Diana Ringer. Best
of all, the price for this fun week of learning is just $6. Enrollment is limited, so call
the Clark today at (978) 297-0102 for details on how to sign up.
Next month, June, we will publish a pull-out section with a complete (we hope!) Town Directory. If you would like your group or business to be listed, with names of officers, meeting times, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. please send that information along to us as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait for our deadline of May 23! The sooner the better.
If you have any ideas on what or who YOU would like to see included, let us know that too please.
Information along to us, and we will print it in the upcoming months.
Krystal Homon, is back from an Easter vacation school trip to Greece just in time to graduate this June from Athol High School and will continue her education at Western New England College, where she'll study business. Krystal is currently employed as a lifeguard by the Athol YMCA and is a member of their swim team.
Sarah Ramsdell, attended Royalston and home schools for elementary and middle school. She completes her secondary education at Athol High School this June and will attend Franklin Pierce College in the fall, investigating careers in teaching and medicine. Sarah is employed at Shop n' Save as an associate.
Paul Charest will be a graduate of the Class of 2000 from Athol High School. Paul has been accepted at the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth and he has also been accepted into the Charlton College of usiness at the University where he will be majoring in Business - Finance this fall. Paul has participated in Student Council, SADD, Ski Club, Santa Fund, Volleyball and fundraising activities while attending Athol High School. Paul is currently employed by the Wachusett Village Inn in Westminster.
Send your information along to us, and we will print it in the upcoming months.
| WEATHER Weather changing never stops Inside, outside Weather is sun Weather is always changing From sun to sleet Weather can be dark or Weather can be a rainbow Or a shadow in the night sky |
Foggy, rainy, foggy, rainy On - off It’s insane. it can be snowy Or this or that. Well, I have a cat I have to feed So, good-bye. Hannah K., Grade 2, RCS |
| DEAR VINCENT VAN GOGH, |
| Why did no one buy your paintings? |
| Was it because they thought the paint was too thick? |
| Or was it they thought the paintings were not good? |
| I like them. |
| I think they're awesome! |
| Starry night I like the best. |
| It looks like a real night sky. |
| That's why I like all the paintings you painted. |
Michael D., Grade 3, RCS |
ROYALSTON RECIPES
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is up and should be ready to eat by Mother's Day. Break stalks close to the ground rather than cut. Rhubarb is easy to grow and once a stand is established, you will have a lifetime supply. If you don’t have any yet, dig up surplus from a friend and transplant in May or June. Freezes well for Rhubarb Pie in the winter! Do not eat the leaves of rhubarb; they are poisonous. Though used as a fruit, rhubarb is really a vegetable, belonging to the sorrel family.
Caramel Rhubarb Cobbler |
 |
7 T butter, divided |
|
3/4 cup packed brown sugar |
|
1/2 C sugar, divided |
|
3 T cornstarch |
|
1 1/4 C water |
|
6 Cups chopped fresh rhubarb |
|
1 1/4 C flour |
|
1 1/2 t. baking powder |
|
1/4 t. salt |
 |
1/3 C milk |
|
Cinnamon sugar |
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add brown sugar, 1/4 C sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in water and rhubarb; cook and stir until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. Pour into a greased 2 quart baking dish and set aside. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar. Melt remaining butter; add to dry ingredients with milk. Mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto rhubarb mixture. Bake at 350 for 35-50 minutes or until the fruit is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve warm with shipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Yield: 6 servings.
By: Sharon Harmon
======================================Royalston Community Newsletter Staff
News Staff
Maureen Blasco, Beth Gospodarek, Deb Nunes, Mary Barclay
Sponsorships
Ann Kussy, 249-3287
Town Government News
Helen Divoll
Treasurer
Barbara Willhite
Publication & Circulation
Barbara Stowell
How to contact us
| Deadline to submit for next issue is: 20th of this month |
| You may submit news, notices, articles, and calendar events to : |
| Mail: P.O. Box 133, Royalston, MA 01368 |
| E-mail: stowell@ma.ultranet.com |
| Fax: (978) 249-3572 (Library) |
| Phone: (978) 249-5138 |
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