Mayor previews busy June in Gardner City, highlighting graduations, festivals and community programs

The mayor of Gardner City used the monthly video update to congratulate local graduates, thank municipal staff for broadcasting ceremonies, and outline a full slate of June community events and services.

The mayor began by praising fifth-grade students who completed the DARE program after sessions with Officer Spain and Lieutenant Chisnowski, and congratulated graduates from Fitchburg State University, Mount Wusa Community College, the Gateway and Pathway Early College programs, Gardner Academy, Gardner High School, Holy Family Academy and Monty Tech. "Congratulations to all of our students," the mayor said, thanking faculty, staff and administrators for organizing ceremonies and Gardner Educational Television for bringing events to residents who could not attend.

Why it matters: The mayor framed these events as part of a busy season for families and local organizations, noting that community programming and volunteer support sustain these traditions and that access via local media helps reach residents who are unable to attend in person.

Key events and reminders announced by the mayor include the Gardner Lodge of Elks kids safety day on June 6 (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), the Greater Gardner Relay for Life on June 12–13 at Mount Wusa Community College (opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.), and the Gardner Farmers Market at the Waterford Community Center with a “Berries & Bloom” theme on June 20. The mayor also highlighted the Bandstand summer concert series beginning June 20 at Monument Park (first shows at 6 p.m., later shows at 5 p.m.), and asked residents to save the date for the Garden of Food Truck Festival on July 11.

The mayor reminded residents that yard waste pickup will occur on regular trash days during the first full week of June (June 2–5), that the Greenwood Pool opens on the last day of Gardner Public Schools' school year, and that City Hall will be closed June 19 for a federal holiday. The mayor encouraged residents to contact the mayor's office with questions and said more details will be posted on city channels.

Quotes from the update include: "They do it very well," praising municipal broadcast staff; and "we're really lucky to be in the part of Massachusetts...that has so much to offer," reflecting the mayor's emphasis on local community assets.

The mayor also thanked library director Marita Clemens and staff for preparing the Levi Haywood Memorial Library summer reading kickoff on June 24 at 4:00 p.m. and noted programs for youth, including Yoga in the Park (Mondays, June 1–Aug. 31) and a free Junior Police Academy for 14–17-year-olds July 13–18 (applications available at the Gardner Police Station and on the department’s Facebook page).