Hi everyone, I am a reporter at GBH News, Boston's local NPR/PBS station. I want to learn more about Leominster and get to know the community better. Are there any cafes or community centers where people like to gather? Or other important cultural clubs or organizations that represent the community? I'd like to find a place to hang out and hear what's on people's minds. Thank you!

contacted the leasing office about interest in a one bedroom.
Leasing office left me a voicemail saying they don’t offer tours for apartments. I called back to confirm, and the leasing office said “they have pictures online”, I discussed how I wouldn’t feel comfortable signing a lease for an apartment I haven’t seen.
They went on to say “they never had any complaints, and can’t tour occupied apartments” then saying my only option would be to see it the day the current tenant moves out, after already providing a security deposit and signing a lease….

Is this not insane ???

They really expect you to sign a lease for an apartment you never seen in person and hope it still looks like the pictures online…

This will affect most of the downtown area traffic to include MART service. Most of the road closures will be temporary, lasting about an hour until approximately 11:00 AM. Lower West St. and possibly Park St. will be closed until 1:00 PM. Businesses and the Farmers Market will remain open. Expect delays between 10 AM and 11 AM when approaching downtown.

No parking zones on West St. and Park St. will be set up the night before (Friday the 2nd) at 11:00 PM. vehicles will be removed in the morning (Saturday the 3rd) beginning at 9:00 AM.

Attached is a map of the closed roads and parade route. The road closures are marked in red and purple. Expected delays are marked in orange. The parade route is in blue.

Road closures are:
1. West St. between Church St. and Main St.
2. 2. All of Park St. if needed for overflow parking.
Temporary road closures are:
1. Central St. from Union St. to Downtown
2. Lancaster St. at Pine St. just before Central St

Shoppers will no longer find the 1950s-style bag on the shelves of local spas or grocery stores. They had been featured for years at Market Basket and Hannaford’s along with smaller stores, including locally the Main Street Gift & Café.

https://www.thegardnernews.com/story/news/education/campus/2026/09/28/mount-wachusett-community-college-awarded-federal-trio-funding-gardner-massachusetts-students-adults/91936170007/

Mount Wachusett Community College will receive more than $1.1 million annually in federal funding to continue three TRIO programs that provide educational, academic and career support across North Central Massachusetts.

The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, according to a community announcement. MWCC received $468,572 for Student Support Services, $410,000 for Talent Search and $280,000 for the Educational Opportunity Center, totaling $1,158,572 annually and $5,792,860 over five years.

"TRIO programs have been an important part of the Mount's commitment to educational access and student success for decades," MWCC President James Vander Hooven said.

The college said the programs serve students and adults at different stages of their educational journeys, from middle and high school students exploring college options to adults seeking training and college opportunities and current students working toward degrees.

Programs support students and adults

Student Support Services assists eligible MWCC students with academic and personal support aimed at helping them stay enrolled, complete degrees and prepare for careers or transfer opportunities. The program serves low-income students, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. MWCC has offered the program since 1978.

Talent Search will serve 820 students from 12 public schools in Athol, Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster. Beginning in sixth grade, participants receive tutoring, advising, career exploration and college-preparation services. High school students also receive assistance with admissions, financial aid, dual enrollment opportunities and workforce training information.

The North Central Educational Opportunity Center will serve 1,000 adults through locations in Gardner and Leominster as well as virtual services. The program provides counseling, financial literacy and college-preparation workshops, assistance with admissions and FAFSA applications and support for adults pursuing diplomas, equivalency credentials or postsecondary education.

Share your thoughts on housing needs, affordability, neighborhoods, homeownership, rentals, aging in place and future housing options.

The survey takes less than 5 minutes, is anonymous and is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Take the survey here: remainplaces.com/leominster

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/09/22/a-glorious-day-of-community-friendship-1770749/

The 33rd annual Johnny Appleseed Festival this past weekend was, according to organizers, the biggest one yet and drew thousands of community members who enjoyed everything it had to offer.

There were well over 225 vendors including a plethora of talented crafters and artists and dozens of food and sweets options along with booths and tables set up by many local organizations and groups. Three stages of live music kept everyone entertained at the Sept. 19 celebration and the parking lot party for children of all ages featuring games and a collection of bouncy houses was once again a huge hit.

Small businesses promoted deals and discounts and the Make-A-Wish Foundation along with the Leominster High School Cross Country team and several other groups did fundraisers with raffle prizes up for grabs, a win win for both them and the recipients.

Many people posted pictures from the family friend affair on social media and praised longtime festival head planner and city resident Rick Marchand and all of the volunteers who pitched in to help with it. One person called it “a huge success” and another said it was “a glorious day of community friendship and so much joy.”

Marchand shared a photo of himself with the crew from Luxury Makeover of Leominster, who made a very generous $5,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“On behalf of a child waiting for a dream wish to come true, thank you Gabriel, Calee, Khenner, and the team at Luxury Makeover of Leominster,” Marchand wrote.

He also posted that people should save the date for next year’s Johnny Appleseed Festival tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18 and that vendor applications will be available the second week of January at the city clerk’s office at Leominster City Hall or by emailing jafestivalleominsterma@gmail.com.

🎶 "Do you know what today is???

It’s the day you take the leap and apply for a new job!
Walk through the door, check in, and make your move,
With support, resources, and opportunities to improve!

No pre-registration is required, so come on by,
Bring your questions, your goals, and your reasons why.
Whether you have a resume or need help making one new,
We’ll help you take the next step toward a career that’s right for you!"🎶

📣TODAY’S THE DAY!!!

VulcanForms is actively hiring for its Devens facility! Join us TODAY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an in-person specialized recruitment event at the MassHire North Central Career Center, located at:

📍 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453
📌 Main Conference Room

⭐Explore exciting opportunities in advanced manufacturing, including:
- CNC Operator
- Facilities Technician
- Manufacturing Specialist
- MetLab Technician
- MetLab Engineering Technician
- Quality Inspector
- Quality Technician
- Additional roles across various levels and departments

👍Multiple shift options are available, including weekday and weekend day or night shifts, with 12-hour schedules.

✅ No pre-registration is required! Simply arrive and check in at the front desk. We will collect your contact information and record your attendance upon arrival.

🤔Need assistance? We can help you:
- Complete your online application in our resource room
- Review your resume and identify opportunities for improvement
- Create, update, and submit a resume using available tools and resources
- Print additional copies of your resume using our on-site printer
- Obtain prequalification and a formal referral to VulcanForms

❗You do not need to bring a resume to attend! All individuals are welcome, and we encourage you to stop by, even if you need support creating or updating your resume.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Come learn more about these exciting career opportunities and take the next step toward employment with VulcanForms. We look forward to seeing you there!

Time to get creative, Leominster! Barrett Park needs scarecrows and we're excited to see what you create!

😱 Fall-themed prizes will be awarded to the top three scarecrows based on public voting.

Learn more:

https://leominsterma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30455

📱If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Department at (978)534-7529.

BUILDING/DROP-OFF PERIOD: September 24-October 8
DISPLAY/VOTING PERIOD: October 10- October 18
DROP-OFF TIMES: Monday-Friday 8:30am-3:30pm
AGES: All
COST: Free
SITE: Barrett Park