About the Messenger

The Messenger Contact About Us Ad  Rates & Deadlines Submissions Download .pdf local links

Who We Are

The FREE Messenger is entering it's tenth year!

Founded by Debra Thornblad in November, 2000, The FREE Messenger was purchased by Townsend resident Marcia (Smith) Arsenault in early 2005. Still independently owned and operated, The FREE Messenger is a monthly "snapshot" of our communities. We accept announcements from non-profits and others; most published free-of-charge. Churches, Groups, Non-profits and other organizations set-up and run by volunteers for the betterment of the community are encouraged to send in their FUNd-raising and free event notices. If your non-profit or community group has projects you need help with The FREE Messenger offers free publicity within it’s pages. Many events have made the front page because of their outstanding benefit to our communities. Submissions are placed as space allows.

Supported solely by advertising dollars from for-profit business, The FREE Messenger encourages business owners to contact us regarding how we can help them grow their business through advertising and continuing to provide this valuable periodical to the community. 

Rates and Deadlines can be found here.

Monthly Columns

Many wonderful “regular” monthly columns have been added over time. Written by local business owners and other experts, these columns offer sound advice and insights into things important to us on a daily basis. Seldom will you find "bad news".

In “Gone Fishin” by John Ricciardi, of Pepperell, you will find information on local fishing and local history. You might read John’s latest thoughts on environmental issues or the latest sports championship won. John offers interesting stories and food for thought. “The Quilter’s Needle” is a monthly submission by Townsend resident and Quilt Historian Joan Leahy-Blanchard. Joan has studied quilting since a very early age and is a Founding Member of The Squanicook Quilt Guild. Each month Joan offers a new quilt-block pattern and instructions with a history of its origin. Krishnabai of Ashby and Karen Regan of Shirley offer monthly columns on how to keep our minds, bodies and souls healthy and happy, while Greta Donahue of Pepperell gives us tips and advice on buying and selling real estate. Glenn Volk, of Glenn’s Carpentry & Handyman Service writes a monthly column on Do-It-Yourself Home Repairs. Written with a warm and humorous tone, these articles provide tips and insights into home-repair projects you might want to try yourself. Paul Croteau, now retired from the Keene Sentinel, one of the oldest newspapers in New England, offers a monthly column specifically for Veterans. A veteran himself, Paul knows where to go to get the info veterans need. Regular submissions by organizations like the Nashua River Watershed, Habitat for Humanity, local libraries, churches, senior centers and charities help keep the paper informative.

Founded

by Debra Thornblad in November, 2000

Contact

Ph/Fax: 978-597-5377