SPRING IN TO

Transcription

SPRING IN TO

TOWN CRIER
UPTON & MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS
Est. 1993 • Mailed FREE to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and Mendon.
Presidential
Scholar
Candidates
Mendon Upton Opening Day a Big Homerun
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Congratulations to two
Mendon residents, Michael
Altavilla, an Electronics &
Engineering Technology senior
at Blackstone Valley Tech, who is
one of 689 semifinalists for the
2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Program, and to Madeline
Charbonneau, a graduating
senior at Mount Saint Charles in
Woonsocket, has been named
as one of more than 4,000
candidates in the Program. The
two were selected from nearly
3.3 million students expected to
graduate high school this year.
According to an
announcement from the U.S.
Department of Education,
inclusion in the U.S. Presidential
Scholars Program is one of the
highest honors bestowed upon
graduating high school seniors.
Scholars are selected on the
basis of superior academic
and artistic achievements,
leadership qualities, strong
character, and involvement
in community and school
activities.
Read the complete articles on
their achievements on pages 9
and 30.
GO
SOX
May 6, 2016
Vol. 24 No. 8
www.TownCrier.us
Julia Orff (left) and Ellen Dixon, both 13
years old, sang God Bless America and The
National Anthem, respectively, during the
April 23 Opening Day Ceremonies of the
Nipmuc Youth Softball/Baseball Leagues.
Michelle Sanford photo
Saturday, April 23 marked Opening
Day for the Nipmuc Youth Softball/
Baseball Leagues. The day kicked off
with the traditional parade of teams
making their way toward Mendon’s
Memorial Park. This year’s event had
quite the crowd of both teams and
family members watching as it was the
first year that Mendon Junior Baseball,
Upton Youth Cal Ripken Baseball,
and Mendon Upton Senior Baseball
combined forces to merge into one
youth baseball organization from both
towns—now known as the Nipmuc
Youth Baseball League. After all the
teams were announced and several
speeches were made; the enthusiastic
players yelled “Play Ball,” to begin their
season.
To view more photos of the Mendon
Upton Opening Day by Michelle
Sanford visit TownCrier.us and click
on Photo Galleries
Mendon Decides on $17.8 Million
Budget at Town Meeting
Tonight, Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School
By Michelle Sanford
Staff Reporter/Columnist
Town officials will present a $17.8
million balanced budget to Mendon
voters during the May 6 Annual Town
Meeting, which is scheduled to begin at
7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School. The new
budget, Article 3, is just one of several
financial articles on the 30 article
warrant.
The new fiscal year 2017 budget,
Article 4 on the warrant, is an
approximate 3.2 percent increase
over last year. Some of the drivers
behind the increase is a $94,000 rise
in health insurance and a $31,000
increase toward the Worcester County
Retirement Fund.
The Regional School District’s new
overall budget is recommended at
$9,442,246, a $152,000 increase over
last year and Blackstone Valley Tech’s
proposed new budget totals $920,062,
an approximate $106,000 increase.
Other increases include an additional
$29,000 for the library’s expenses
and a $30,242 increase to the Town
Administrator’s salary line item.
When it came to estimating projected
revenues for the new budget, Finance
Committee Chair Mike Merolli
said very conservative figures were
projected. Some of the proposed
revenue numbers in the new fiscal year
budget include tax revenues estimated
at $13.7 million, a $2.2 million increase;
debt exclusions totaling $1.38 million,
a $22,000 increase; local receipts
estimated at $2.19 million, a $12,000
increase; and $474,000 in state aid, a
$23,000 increase.
Other financial articles are on the
warrant include Article 5 which is
seeking to fund the Assessor’s Cyclical
Inspection for $6,500 and Article 6 is to
finance the Update Valuation Account
for $10,000.
Article 9 is requesting $34,000 that
will replace or retrofit water meters in
town. Over the last several years, the
town has experienced excessive water
loss. Town officials believe, due to their
age, the water meters are not registering
the correct amount of water passing
through them and therefore want them
replaced.
Articles 10 through 13 will establish
revolving funds for the Taft Library,
Planning Board, Highway Department,
and the Conservation Commission.
Local veterans were honored at Memorial Field Park
in Mendon as part of the Opening Day Ceremonies
for the Nipmuc Youth Softball/Baseball Leagues.
Michelle Sanford photo
Daugherty New
Upton Selectman
By Michelle Sanford
More than 1,100 Upton residents came out to vote during
the May 2 Town Election with the majority of citizens
ultimately voting to elect a new Selectman for the town.
Newcomer Gary Daugherty Jr., beat out incumbent Ken
Picard to sit on the Board of Selectmen for the next three
years. Daugherty defeated Picard with double the numbers
receiving 752 votes over Picard’s 350 votes.
“I’m really excited to serve the town,” said Daugherty
the following day. “And I’m very thankful to everyone who
came out and supported me; it meant a lot.” Daugherty is
a firefighter in Hopkinton and former on-call firefighter
in Upton who also served on the town’s EMS Advisory
Committee. He said he realizes he has a lot to learn. “That
will take some time but I’m ready.” The election results
were effective immediately and Daugherty sat in on his first
meeting as a Selectman the day after the election.
There was also a race for the Housing Authority’s five
year seat. Incumbent Mildred Morin Galeone beat out her
challenger Pamela Goodwin by a vote of 580 to 369.
All the other races were uncontested and included
Dorothy Scally for the three year seat for the Regional
School District School Committee who received a total of
755 votes. Newcomer Bill Taylor was elected Assessor for
three years receiving 788 votes and James Earl will fill the
Assessor’s one year term and received 815 votes total; Earl
served in the Assessor’s three year seat previously.
Other elected officials included incumbent David Loeper
who received 888 votes for the Town Moderator’s one year
term and incumbent Richard Robinson received 726 votes
MENDON BUDGET p 14
UPTON ELECTION p 11
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Celebrate Milford Day
Saturday, May 14
Milford Town Park
A fun filled day
with events
for all ages
Corner of Congress St. & Spruce St.
10am - 8pm (Rain Date May 15)
Come celebrate everything that makes Milford the place to call home.
KICK OFF PARADE: Youth Organizations Parade
at Town Park at 10am
PLATINUM
SPONSORS
MILFORD
TOWN CRIER
MILFORD YOUTH
CENTER RIBBON
CUTTING 1:ººpm
TOURS 2-3pm
VENDORS:
Over 50 vendors
from crafters to
businesses to food
10-4pm.
FEE: $5/child Family Cap of $20.
Caricatures by
Tim Snow CRAFT BEER AND
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(3-6 pm)
Purchase tickets online @
CelebrateMilford.com
OTHER
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FOOD &
DRINKS:
A Variety of
Food Trucks
Beer Garden
(11am-7pm)
MEMORIAL HALL
1 - 5pm
Claflin Hill Orchestra
Performances
Tours of
Memorial Hall
MOTORCYCLE
DISPLAY SHOW
1-3pm
Motorcycle Trick
Show featuring
Dan Duest
2pm and 3pm
YOUTH ATHLETIC
CONTESTS:
Basketball, Baseball,
and Football
CO-ED KICKBALL
TOURNAMENT
for 18+
MILFORD YOUTH CENTER
FASHION SHOW
6pm
For more
information visit
celebratemilford.com
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KIDS ZONE:
Clowns and activities,
face painting, games,
bouncy houses,
inflatable obstacle
course, crafts,
Touch-a-Truck,
pie eating contest. Live Music
All Day!
UPTON-MENDON TOWN CRIER
MILFORD LIBRARY
30TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
2-3pm
Plus exhibits, arts &
crafts, speakers
all day
May 6, 2016
Fernandes Retirement Means Changes for Mendon
Fernandes Declines
to Seek Re-Election
to Sixth Term
Murray to Run for State
Rep Seat
By Kevin Rudden
Citing a desire to spend more time
with his family, State Representative
John Fernandes, D. Milford,
announced on April 14 that he would
not seek a sixth two-year term in
John Fernandes
this coming November’s election. Up
until the announcement, the 10-year
veteran – who chairs the powerful House Judiciary Committee
– had been circulating his nomination papers in preparation for
seeking the sixth term.
Fernandes, a Democrat who is 63 years old, told the Town
Crier that the recent death of a family member brought home
the fact that the state representative’s position left him little time
for a personal life. Between the demands of his local law practice
and being a state lawmaker, he had little free time to mourn the
relative’s passing, he explained. “That’s just wrong,” he noted.
The district Fernandes represents encompasses Milford,
Hopedale and Mendon and one voting precinct in Medway.
With his announcement, potential candidates have only a little
more than six months to make a decision on running, put
together a campaign organization and run to succeed him.
By Kevin Rudden
Staff Reporter/
Columnist
Newly re-elected
Milford Selectman
Brian Murray
announced last week
that he is taking
out nomination
papers and plans to
run for the state
Brian Murray
representative’s seat
being vacated by
John Fernandes.
The Tenth Worcester District encompasses
Milford, Hopedale and Mendon and one voting
precinct in Medway. With Milford the largest
town in the district, traditionally, the state
representative has come from it.
Murray told the Town Crier that he was
surprised by incumbent John Fernandes’ decision
not to seek a sixth term but – after discussing
the issue with his family – decided to run for the
higher office.
Fattman’s Statement on Fernandes’s Retirement
State Senator Ryan Fattman, R. Webster released
the following statement in response to State Rep. John
Fernandes’s announcement that he will not run for reelection in the fall “I want to congratulate John for his
decades of service to the town of Milford, and the people
of the 10th Worcester District. In the politically polarized
world that we live in today, John and I have proved that
people of different political parties and different ideologies
can work together for the betterment of the people we
represent, and enjoy doing so. I wish John and his wife
Jennifer well as he steps back from public service. Looking
ahead, I look forward to working toward a brighter,
prosperous future for the people of Milford, Mendon,
Hopedale and Medway with Governor Baker, and a future
state representative dedicated to the principles we share:
keeping taxes low to create jobs, stopping the incentives
of illegal immigration, aiding families and helping end the
opioid epidemic, and returning towns the local aid money
they deserve.”
Farewell to Fernandes
By Kevin Rudden
Staff Reporter
I think we all should be very proud of John Fernandes. He
knew when to leave, and to leave for the right reasons.
Too many politicians and professional athletes stay far too
long for their own good.
A decade ago, Fernandes promised us he wouldn’t stay on
forever as our state representative. Five terms, he said, if we
wanted him. In this current term, he was made chairman
of the House Judiciary Committee –a powerful position
that would tempt any person to stay on. And he almost did,
taking out nomination papers for November’s election.
But, Fernandes has always had a strong personal life, and
the demands of being state representative nagged at him. At
the beginning of this term, we had a conversation about that.
Fernandes confessed that – with the demands of constituent
service – he and his wife only had one or two weekends to
themselves over the prior year, and it was bothering him.
Accepting the chairmanship of the House Judiciary
Committee just increased the demands on his personal time.
And so, when his mother-in-law, Elizabeth DiMola, passed
away on March 31, Fernandes told me that the demands of
the State House on top of his law practice didn’t give him the
time he wanted to properly grieve her passing. “That’s just
wrong,” he told me.
And so, he decided not to run for re-election and just be
John Fernandes, local attorney, husband and father. For all
the right reasons.
Which tells me that John Fernandes is really the man I
thought he was – one with the right priorities.
We have him as state representative for a few months
more before his term ends, which gives us all time to let him
know how we feel about his decision.
With Fernandes’ decision, people interested in replacing
him have about six months to pull together a campaign and
talk to the voters in Milford, Hopedale, Mendon and part of
Medway.
Milford Selectman Brian Murray jumped into the race
as a Democrat just hours after Fernandes’ announcement.
The local Republican committee is telling all to stand by
for a Republican candidate to emerge soon. The name of
Mike Walsh of the School Committee and Milford Youth
Commission is being floated as a possible candidate.
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Lieutenant Governor Polito Talks Business with Chamber
By Kevin Rudden
Massachusetts Lieutenant
Governor Karyn Polito was the
guest speaker at the Milford
Area Chamber of Commerce’s
annual meeting, touting the
Baker-Polito administration’s
plans for “Making Massachusetts
Lieutenant Governor Great.” Polito outlined a threeKaryn Polito
part economic development plan
spoke to Milford
to the business-centric audience.
Area Chamber of
Unlike the drama being played
Commerce members out in the national presidential
at their recent annual races, Massachusetts knows that
meeting. Kevin
“working together and getting
Rudden photo
things done is important,” Polito
said. She pointed to the seamless
relationship between the state government and the City
of Boston in attracting General Electric to relocate its
corporate headquarters to Boston as an example.
The Baker Polito administration is committed to
ensuring the state has good schools, safe and healthy
communities and “jobs, jobs, jobs,” she said. Its efforts
include the “Community Compact” program to help
municipalities share best practices – with 131 cities and
towns now participating, studying all state regulations to
see which should be kept, modified or done away with,
and sharing revenue with municipalities. Another effort
is to bring more diversification to the energy sources used
by businesses, Polito said.
The three legs of the Baker-Polito proposed economic
development plan are investing in communities,
investing in education to keep the “pipeline of talent”
filled at all levels, and keeping Massachusetts as a
center of innovation. The idea is to have a state where
people can research new things, design them and
manufacture them all in the same state – in other
words, start a company here, grow it here and stay here,
Polito explained. The economic development plan was
developed in consultation with businesses and “is well
thought out,” she said.
While in Milford on April 26, Polito spoke of the
express commuter rail service between Worcester
and Boston that begins in May. Most of the audience’s
questions focused on making small businesses more
competitive and training older workers for newer jobs.
At the Chamber’s annual meeting, President and CEO
Siobhan Bohnson outlined the demographics of the
10-town business advocate organization: 76 percent of
members have five or less employees, 21 percent have
between six and 30 employees and three percent have 30
or more employees.
Annual awards were presented to members:
• George Draper Award: Christopher Foley and Tania
Medina of UniBank
• Business of Distinction Award: Barry Keefe of
Dinner and Company
• Ambassador of the Year Award: Kevin DeNorscia of
Dean Bank
• Networker of the Year Award: Jeff Hattem of Prime
Time Promotions
• “Extra Mile” Award to Doug Van Heest of ProCare, Inc.
Follow the Footsteps of the CCC At Upton State Forest
Friends of Upton State Forest and the Massachusetts
Department of Conservation and Recreation are cosponsoring a free Preservation Month hike at Upton
State Forest on Sunday, May 15. The hike will explore the
National Register Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Historic District from the CCC Camp to Dean Pond
Dam, following in the footsteps of the CCC to discover
what they built from 1935 to 1938. As they travel, they
will share words of CCC alumni they interviewed who
lived and worked at the camp.
Did you know that there are water holes, fire roads,
and remnants of two picnic areas built by the CCC plus
a stairway in the forest? Do you know where Painted
Valley and Old Knob are located, and how they got their
names? Come to the hike to get the answers to these
questions and more!
Registration is at 12:45 p.m. and the moderate two
to three-hour hike begins at 1 p.m. Meet at the CCC
Camp at Upton State Forest near the intersection of
Westborough and Southborough Roads, Upton, GPS
address, 205 Westboro Rd.
Dress for the weather and the trail, which includes
some hills and uneven terrain. Bring water, sunscreen
and insect repellant. No pets allowed. A liability waiver
is required with a parent accompanying and signing for
anyone under 18.
This is the 50th anniversary of the National Register
of Historic Places. In October of 2015, the CCC Camp
at Upton State Forest, and associated CCC resources
within the forest, were listed on the National Register.
That listing was a cooperative effort between the Upton
Historical Commission, the Friends of Upton State
Forest, and the Department of Conservation. More
information about the National Register is available at
https://www.nps.gov/nr/.
Just before the hike, participants are invited to
pose for group photos with a banner that says “This
Place Matters”, sponsored by the National Trust
for Historic Preservation. More information about
This Place Matters can be accessed at http://www.
preservationnation.org/?referrer=http://historicboston.
org/may-is-preservation-month-this-place-matters/#.
VyIeyjArLNN.
For questions, contact the Friends at news@
friendsofuptonstateforest.org or DCR at 508-278-7604
or Blackstone.Heritage@state.ma.us.
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Supporting Adapted Homes for Disabled Veterans
Calling all Graduates!
Graduating from High School or
Donnalee Shain, Vice President of
Thanks To Yanks, is holding a $500 check
College this Spring? Our Mendon
the group will be donating to Homes
Upton Souvenir Graduation Issue is
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These funds were raised at a recent
photo jpg attached to an email to Jane Bigda,
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TownCrierEditor@gmail.com. Include the
To Yanks fundraiser, will be a comedy
graduate’s name, parents, hometown, high
night on May14. For information
school or college, college degree and any special
visit Thanks To Yanks on Facebook or
academic honors. Deadline is May 31.
Milford Regional / FreshStartThanksToYanks.org. Contributed photo Created 4/28/16
Submissions are not needed for graduates of
Michelle / REVISED
Town Crier / 10.25 x 12 CMYK
Nipmuc Regional High School or Blackstone
Valley Tech, since our reporters are covering those
graduations.
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May 6, 2016
5
Opinion
NOTES & NOTATIONS
LETTERS
By Jane Bigda
Another Look at Mendon
A Chapter Closes in Mendon
A chapter in Mendon history is closing next
Saturday. The former Union Chapel building,
which has served townspeople since it was gifted to Mendon
in 1920, is closing its doors as a library on May 14. While the
building will be used by the town for other purposes, the library
itself will be moving a little way up the road to the former St.
Michael’s Church at 29 North Ave.
And while congratulations are due to all involved in creating
the new library and the opening of the building on June 14
is much anticipated, it is also worthwhile looking back at the
former building and what it meant to me and to the community.
As an avid reader, library user and former trustee of 17 years,
my memories of the building are many. Like others, I have
enjoyed its warm cozy feel, its welcoming staff and exploring
its extensive genealogy collection. My children all got their
first library card there and spent many hours selecting books
to read and participating in activities. I had the chance to work
with former directors Lorna Rhodes and Susan Hoar, who did
so much with so little, and saw the hiring of Andrew Jenrich
as the Children’s Librarian and his promotion to ably take over
the reins as Director. I also had to chance to work with Susan
Bertram as she created a Children’s Room from nothing but an
open space.
Despite what was happening inside the building, the structure
was cramped and difficult to use, and as a trustee even harder
to renovate and refurbish so it could really serve the people of
Mendon as a modern public library. The new building is long
overdue.
But the old Taft Public Library symbolized what Mendon
townspeople can do, when they have a vision and put their
minds to a task. It began with the donations of two women who
wanted to make Mendon a better place to live. Susan Huston
donated $1,000 to Mendon in memory of her half-brother
William Putnam Taft to establish a library in his name. The
original Taft Public Library opened in 1881 at 3 Main St., now
the current Mendon Historical Museum.
The library soon outgrew this home and in 1919 Rosa Taft
purchased the Union Chapel building next to Town Hall and
donated it to Mendon for use as a library, along with renovation
funds, in memory of her husband, Arthur R. Taft, another
lifelong reader and library trustee
Starting on just the main floor, the library was expanded to
include a more modern downstairs meeting space and office
in the 1980s thanks to donations and the work of students
from Valley Tech. In the 1990s that area was again renovated
as Children’s Room using money from library funds set up by
such Mendon residents as Henry Clough, Austin Fletcher of the
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Anna
Ellis, the Leonards and others.
So thanks to the efforts of these individuals Mendon has had a
library in the heart of town for almost a century. And thanks to
the efforts of a group of new individuals plus the voters, Mendon
will now have a new library building just up the Avenue.
May this new generation take a page from those far-sighted
individuals of the past and use their skills, creativity and
initiative to continue creating a library that makes Mendon an
even better place to live.
If you’d like to help the Friends of the Taft Public Library finish
their fundraising for the new building, see an article about their
efforts on page ___ of this issue or visit TaftPublicLibrary.org.
Got a story you
want to share?
Send it to TownCrierEditor@gmail.com
,TOWN CRIER PUBLICATIONS
Publishers of
Upton-Mendon Town Crier
Published the 1st & 3rd Friday and mailed
free to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and
Mendon, MA.
To the Editor:
It is tempting to focus on
the negative. As a Historical
Commission member, I want
Mendon’s residents to know the
positive things that have been and
are being accomplished by town
employees, boards, commissions
and committees. The list is
impressive.
Our Town Clerk acquired
funding to renovate the Town
Hall vault and preserve historic
documents. The Principal Assessor
applied for and received a GSI
grant giving online accessibility
to aerial views of Mendon’s lots.
Later, topography and wetlands can
be included. Town Administrator
negotiated a TIF agreement, a solar
deal, received a MIIA Risk grant
and has two grants pending for
a total of $2.778 million for the
town. Library and Senior Center
Directors have expanded programs
and added new ones increasing
participation at both locations.
The Highway Surveyor received
funding for an engineering study
to revamp the historic downtown
area, adding handicapped
accessibility and raised crosswalks
and constructing new sidewalks.
Director of Parks and Recreation
was awarded $249,625 in CPA
funds and grant money to upgrade
basketball and tennis courts and
the playground.
The new library will be finished
soon because of hard working
Trustees, Building Committee
members and Friends of the
Library who have raised over
$90,000. CPA Historic Restoration
funds were used for the Town
Hall basement renovation,
creating office space for police and
restoration of the Old Mendon
Cemetery, which begins in June. An
architectural study involving the
old fire station, Taft Public Library,
Town Hall and surrounding area is
funded by a $30,000 Massachusetts
Preservation Project Fund grant
and $30,000 from CPA.
The selectmen, Finance
Committee, Planning Board,
Conservation Commission, Zoning
Board of Appeals, Assessors,
Board of Health plus the School,
Community Preservation, Land
Use Committee, Master Plan
Committees many other volunteers,
work diligently to preserve the
integrity of the town.
Mendon’s Annual Town
Meeting (ATM) articles are often
the culmination of a year’s worth
of work by employees and these
volunteers. Consider attending
the ATM to experience and vote
on the positive work your town
government has offered you.
Jane Lowell
Mendon Historical Commission
Too Important to Miss, Mendon’s Town
Meeting Tonight
To the Editor,
In Mendon’s very early days
in the late 1600s, involvement in
decision making at Town Meeting
was so important that fines were
levied to residents not only that
did not show, but also left early.
The original order was as follows:
“Att a generall Towne Mettinge
April 14, 1672 It was ordered, by
Reson of Neglect of persons not
attending towne meettings, that,
If any person or persons neglect
Attending the towne meetting,
being Legally warned, they shall
pay, as a fine to the town’s use,
two shillings a pece for Every
neglect, with out it bee upon
more than ordnery ocasion, and
if any depart the metting before
the metting bee dismissed they
shall pay aforesaid.” [sic]
Two shillings in 1672 would
be equal to somewhere around
$300 today. Clearly they believed
that participation in Town
meeting, and the whole meeting,
was important. In his Annals of
Mendon from 1659-1880, Dr.
John Metcalf, commenting on this
practice, says:
“much saving of time would have
been secured, to say nothing
of the bickering and ill blood
(which the votes of a thin town
meeting usually engender), that
would have been avoided.”
What Metcalfe is commenting
on here is what I like to call
“rule by the motivated minority.”
With over 4500 registered voters
it’s hard to believe you have a
representative sample when fewer
than 100 voters attend a meeting.
In some cases, we have had as few
as 25.
We no longer fine voters for not
attending Town meetings, but the
meetings are no less important
today than they were in the 1600s.
Please exercise your right to have
input and vote on issues important
to your community at the Annual
Town Meeting tonight, May 6, at 7
p.m. at Miscoe Hill School. I hope
to see you there.
Rich Schofield
Mendon Selectman
By Michelle Sanford
As my kids wrapped
up another April
vacation, I asked them
what the best part of
their week was. For my son, it was a
sleepover and a movie at the Mendon
Drive In with a friend. For my daughter
it was our overnight trip to Howe
Caverns in New York exploring amazing
underground caves. When my daughter
asked me what my favorite part of the
week was, I said without hesitation
going to the Boston Marathon.
This year, my niece Kailyn was
running and a group of family members,
including myself, my sister-in-law, and
our kids traveled to Framingham on
Patriot’s Day in the hopes of catching a
quick glimpse of her running by. And
just to improve the odds she’d see us
among the thousands of bystanders
cheering, we made a huge sign with her
name on it.
Because Kailyn was running in the
fourth wave, which is the last group to
start, we waited around for quite some
time. As we stood around, we were able
to watch the elite runners fly by us at
mile seven as if they’d only run a block.
And while it was amazing to see these
world class athletes dart right past me,
it was the wheelchair participants and
other disabled runners going by that
were truly in a class by themselves. It
was this special group of athletes who
provided me some of the most inspiring,
take a deep breath moments of the day.
I saw runners with one, even two
prosthetic legs who were Boston
Marathon bombing survivors. I saw
veterans also with prosthetic limbs
running. There were blind runners,
those in wheelchairs, and those pushing
loved ones in wheelchairs and even
someone with muscular dystrophy.
Throughout the years, I’ve gone to
several Boston Marathons watching
and cheering from the sidewalks of
Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, and even
near the finish line. And no matter
where I’ve stood, the feeling of watching
these runners push themselves to such
incredible limits no matter what their
ability or disability—is to put it mildly—
quite awesome. And it’s even more
special because so many come from
around the world to our home state to
either compete for a top spot or merely
just for the pure joy and determination
of crossing the finish line no matter
what.
If you haven’t gone to the Boston
Marathon—go. It is without a doubt one
of the most stirring days to be a part
of and where only the best parts of the
human spirit is there for all to see.
(BTW: Kailyn finished in a time of four
hours and 37 minutes…not too shabby.)
48 Mechanic Street, Upton, MA 01568 | 508-529-7791 | TownCrier.us
PUBLISHER
Alfred C. Holman
Office: 508-529-7791 ext. 222
Cell: 508-889-1067
al.holman@towncrierpubs.com
Milford Town Crier
Published the 2nd & 4th Friday and mailed
free to all 12,800 addresses in Milford, MA.
MANAGER
Marilyn C. Holman
508-529-7791 ext. 221
Manager@TownCrier.us
Town Crier Publications, Inc. reserves the right to reject
material it deems unfit for publication in a family newspaper. We reserve the right to edit any submitted articles as
needed. We regret typographical errors in ads but will not
take financial responsibility for them. We will reprint at no
charge that portion of the ad in which the error appears.
EDITOR
Jane Bigda
Cell: 508-525-1319
TownCrierEditor@gmail.com
6
JUST A THOUGHT
ADVERTISING
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
LORI TATE
508-529-0301
LoriTateTownCrier@gmail.com
Upton, Mendon, Uxbridge, Northbridge
COLETTE ROONEY
508-922-9674
cerooney@charter.net
Milford, Hopedale, Bellingham, Franklin
SUSANNE ODELL
508-954-8148
sue_odell@verizon.net
Hopkinton, Westboro, Holliston,
and Ashland
UPTON-MENDON
May 20 • Deadline May 10
June 3 • Deadline May 4
June 17 • Deadline June 7
July 1 • Deadline June 21
MILFORD
June 10 • Deadline May 31
June 24 • Deadline June 14
Graphics: Jodi McGowan
Web Manager: Andy Holman
INDEX
Ad Club Directory.........................................7
BROWSING THE BACK ROAD................ 18, 19
Classifieds.....................................................9
Community Calendar....................................8
Mystery Photo..............................................9
Opinion.........................................................6
SPRING SPRUCE UP...............................22-25
SUMMER FUN...................................... 20, 21
IN THIS ISSUE
Browsing the Back Roads
p 18, 19
May 6, 2016
Advertisers Club Introduces
Shining Rock Golf Course
By Michelle Sanford
There’s a little piece of golf heaven located in the heart of the
Blackstone Valley that’s not only known to test the most skilled
golfers but also boasts the perfect setting for everyone to enjoy fine
dining. Its name is Shining Rock.
The award-winning golf course, located in Northbridge, is well
known for its challenging play as well as breathtaking views and
meticulously maintained greens by Golf Course Superintendent Zach
Savell. “Most golfers take a good, hard look at the greens on a course
and I believe ours are the best in the state,” said General Manager Lou
Papadellis proudly.
And Papadellis is not being biased. Golf Magazine named Shining
Rock one of the Best New 18 Hole Public Golf Courses in the
country and Boston Magazine also awarded Shining Rock Best Golf
Course West of Boston. Shining Rock is a Niblick Golf Management,
Inc. managed property.
Still, the Northbridge location isn’t just home to an amazing day of
golf—it also offers the public great dining and a special place to relax,
unwind, and enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the Blackstone Valley.
The Rockdale Grill, located in the Clubhouse, serves up an array of
lunch and dinner choices to its patrons. The Grill’s motto—Simple,
Honest and Delicious—bodes true offering customers yummy
appetizers, hearty sandwiches burgers, daily specials, and chicken
tenders for the kids. There’s also a full bar available. On warmer
days, patrons are encouraged to sit outside and eat while viewing the
A beautiful view of the 14th Hole at Shining Rock.
scenery and can even enjoy a cocktail after work sitting by the fire
pit.
“We want families, friends, or clients to enjoy everything we
have to offer,” said Papadellis. “Companies can plan golf outings
here of any size and anyone can drop in for lunch, dinner, or
drinks.” Shining Rock also has a fully stocked golf shop and
summer camps for kids ages 6 to 14. Memberships are always
available and PGA Head Professional Lee Danielian is on staff for
private lessons.
Now that the weather is finally warming up and the daylight
hours are stretching into the evening, the friendly staff at Shining
Rock is eager for the golfers to play and the patrons to enjoy the
Rockdale Grill seven days a week. Shining Rock Golf Course is
located at 91 Clubhouse Lane, Northbridge. For more information,
log on to www.shiningrock.com or call 508-234-0400.
Crystal Pool and Spa
By Michelle Sanford
It won’t be long before the hot, humid months are upon us and
everyone knows that nothing makes for better summer memories
than days in the pool with family and friends. That’s why now is the
perfect time to get pools summer-ready.
The team at Crystal Pool and Spa in Bellingham says their goal is
to take the frustration out of owning a pool so their customers can
instead enjoy lots of time in the water. “We’re the pool store that’s all
about fun; we don’t want to make it all about work,” said President
Kim DiChiara.
For more than 55 years, Crystal Pool has been providing the best
quality pool care, service, and supplies. DiChiara grew up in the
business and is now proudly part of a fourth generation of family
members working in the store, which was originally opened by her
grandfather.
With their experienced and very friendly team of professionals,
Crystal Pool and Spa is ready to help pool owners in any way they
can. “We do above and inground pool openings and closings, new
filter pump and heater installations, regular pool cleanings, liner
replacements and installations, and various other repairs,” said
DiChiara. The store proudly utilizes Hayward and Pentair equipment;
two of the biggest manufacturers in the industry.
When it comes to maintaining a healthy water balance, look no
further than the highly trained experts at Crystal Pool who utilize the
latest technologies and water chemistry know-how. In fact, customers
may bring in water samples as often as they like for free analysis.
The Crystal Pool and Spa Team
Looking for some great pool accessories for the kids or how about
a giant float for the pool owner to enjoy? Crystal Pool has everything
from floats and pool games to toys and goggles that make pool time
loads of fun.
To show how much their customers means to them, a customer
appreciation day is being held on Saturday, June 4, that will include
great sales, special drawings, hamburgers and hotdogs, and much
more.
Crystal Pool and Spa is located at 95 Mechanic St. (Rt. 140) and
is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning May 15 through June 26, they will
be open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, log
on to www.crystalpoolstore.com or call 508-966-1322.
The Advertiser’s Club
Directory
These are the businesses that contract to advertise in The Upton and Mendon Town Crier at least
12 times a year. They receive a frequently discount,
feature article about their business (minimum 1/16
page ad) and listing in this directory.
Business Name.............................. Ad on Page
Advantage Siding............................................... 22
Boucher Energy Systems.................................. 23
Bright Insurance Agency.................................. 16
C.J. Cilley Construction.................................next
Cancun’s Mexican Restaurant.......................next
Cornerstone of Milford..................................next
Country Bumpkins................................................. 18
CPR Etc............................................................... 15
Crystal Industries.............................................. 20
Crystal Room..................................................... 33
Dewey Pest Control........................................... next
Diane’s Doghouse.............................................. next
Elizabeth Blake Orthodontic........................next
ERA Key Realty, Theresa Sannicandro..................35
Extra Mile Tutoring................................................. 4
ET Home Maintenance..................................... 25
Flooring America...........................................next
Frank's Appliance.............................................. 30
Gibson Natural Pet Resort.............................next
Dr. Janet Goguen, DMD................................... 10
Heritage Siding & Window...........................next
Hopedale Country Club....................................... 20
Hopkinton Physical Therapy.........................next
Hopkinton Eye Associates................................ next
Iadarola Plumbing & Heating.......................... 25
Imperial Cars.................................................3, 36
J.C. Parmenter.................................................... 24
J.L. Darling Septic Tank Plumbing Co................ 23
Jolicoeur Overhead Door................................. 25
Joyce Plumbing.................................................. 22
Just-A-Wee-Day................................................. 12
LaRose Muscular Therapy.............................next
Liquor Plus......................................................next
Little Coffee Bean...........................................next
Lynch Wine and Spirits......................................... 10
Maple Farm Dairy..........................................next
Mazzone Electrician.......................................next
McCormick Properties..................................... next
Medway Oil & Propane Company.................. 33
Mendon Motors..............................................next
Metrowest Oral Surgical Associates................ 27
Milford National Bank and Trust........................ 32
Mill House Wine and Spirits............................ next
Nathans’ Jewelers............................................... 31
New England Steak & Seafood.......................... 7
Park Place Dental................................................ 4
Paw Planet.......................................................... 18
Phipps Insurance Agency................................. 14
Reliable Pet Sitting............................................. 11
Rita’s Home & Gift Store................................next
Riteway Power Equipment............................next
Robertson Floor Covering............................... next
Robyn Nasuti, Century 21 Realtor...............next
Rose Garden Restaurant & Lounge................. 31
Safeside Chimney...........................................next
Salon Richard Anthony.................................next
Second Nature Landscape................................ 24
Simoneau Electric.............................................. 24
Sky Hook Tree Care............................................ 4
Templeman Tree Service.................................. 25
United Parish Nursery School......................next
Upton Foreign Motors...................................next
Upton House of Pizza....................................... 11
Upton Recreation Commission........................... 21
Upton Self Storage..........................................next
Wagner Window Service...............................next
Wanokura Japanese Restaurant....................... 27
Wayne Grenier Electric..................................... 25
Webster First...................................................next
WestHill Properties, Tina Cote.....................next
Whitcomb House...........................................next
Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home...............next
Wolf, DDS........................................................... 15
New England Steak
& Seafood Restaurant
Make Mom’s Day Reservations NOW!
9 SEATING TIMES AVAILABLE:
12:00 noon 2:30 pm
12:30 pm 3:00 pm
1:00 pm
3:30pm
5:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
Route 16, Mendon • 508-473-5079
www.nesteakandseafood.com
May 6, 2016
7
Calendar
Club 21 Car Wash & Bake Sale
WHITINSVILLE-Alternatives’ Club 21
Blackstone Valley will hold a Car Wash and
Bake Sale at Advance Auto Parts, Church St.,
Whitinsville on Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. The Bake Sale will be priced as marked
and any donation will be accepted for the Car
Wash.
All proceeds benefit Alternatives’ 31st
Annual Valley Friendship Tour which funds
essential programs at Alternatives, one
of central Massachusetts’ leading human
service providers. Alternatives annually helps
more than 2,000 people with psychiatric or
developmental disabilities build successful
and satisfying lives in the community – lives
that include real homes, real jobs, and real
relationships.
Club 21 Blackstone Valley is a social club
sponsored by Alternatives for adults with
developmental disabilities plus an equal number
of non-disabled Blackstone Valley folks.
For more information contact Kathy Lyons,
Katherine.lyons@alternativesnet.org .
Electronics Recycling Day
MILFORD-The First Congregational Church
of Milford, 4 Congress St., is sponsoring an
Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, May 7,
from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The church will ensure
that 99 percent of dropped off items will be
reused and recycled.
All computer monitors, computers, parts and
accessories as well as any office equipment, faxes
copiers, printers, scanners and any audio/video
devices or electronics including televisions can
be recycled. Recycling fees range from $5 to
$25 per item, cash only please. Cell phones can
be recycled at no charge and will be donated to
charities that recycle and reuse them. Part of the
process includes complete hard drive destruction
at no cost.
This event is an easy and fun way to dispose of
the old electronics in your garage, basement, attic
and offices. A drive through process will allow
those donating to quickly drop off their items
where help will be available.
For more information contact Martha at 508904-4471.
Sheila Raye Charles to Tell Her Story
of Addiction
WHITINSVILLE-Sheila Raye Charles,
daughter of blind piano player and singer Ray
Charles, and her husband Michael Steptoe
bring their Raye of Hope for Recovery Crusade
to Whitinsville on Monday, May 16, at the
Pleasant Street Church, 25 Cross St., at 7 p.m.
The two will tell their personal stories of how
their individual lives spiraled down into drugs,
abuse, and eventual incarceration, culminating
in how “God reached down and saved them.”
The event is part of a 15-state collaborative tour
with local and national community partners
who are interested in addressing the issues
surrounding the effects of drug abuse/addiction
and its fatalities.
The second part of the May 16 program is a
musical performance by Charles, dedicated to
the legacy of her father, the late Ray Charles.
Charles is an accomplished vocalist who has
performed throughout the United States and
Europe.
The public is invited to attend this special
presentation and concert, which is held in
conjunction with the church’s weekly Monday
evening Celebrate Recovery support group
meetings. There is no charge, though a love
offering will be taken. For more information,
contact Howard DeVries at howard@pscrc.org,
or call 508-234-5268. There is a large parking lot
available for parking. Milford Catholic Elementary School
Comedy Show
MILFORD-The Annual Comedy Show to benefit
Milford Catholic Elementary School will be held
on Friday May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Room,
49 Cedar St., Milford. Corey Rodrigues, Mike
Whitman and Kate Procyshyn will be featured.
Tickets, which are $5 each or $2 each for groups
of eight or more, include laughter, music, free
hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar and are available
at the school, 11 E. Main St., Milford or at
EventBrite.com
8
Blackstone Valley Chamber of
Commerce
BLACKSTONE VALLEY- The Blackstone
Valley Chamber of Commerce will sponsor
the following events. For more information
or to register call 508-234-9090, x 100, email
administrator@blackstonevalley.org, or visit
BlackstoneValley.org.
Valley Business Network: Referral Group
meets the third Wednesday of the month so
local businesses can meet and network with
other professionals in the Valley. The meetings
are held in the Chamber offices, 670 Linwood
Ave. Bldg A, Suite 5, Whitinsville. Upcoming
meeting is May 18.
The 27th Annual Golf Tournament sponsored
by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of
Commerce and Blackstone Valley Education
Foundation will be held on Monday, May 9 at
Pleasant Valley Country Club, 95 Armsby Rd.,
Sutton. Player registration begins at 10 a.m., tee
off at 11 a.m. and enjoy dinner at 5 p.m.
Diner Dinner
MENDON-On Saturday, May 21, the Unitarian
Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge will be
hosting its first annual Diner Dinner. It features
classic comfort food of the good old days at
good old-time prices. The complete meal will
consist of meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy,
vegetables, salad, dessert and coffee.
The Diner Dinner will be Saturday, May 21, at
the Unitarian Church,13 Maple St., Mendon.
Supper will be served from 5 -7 pm. The cost is
$7 for adults and $3 for children.
Early Onset Dementia Program
WHITINSVILLE-St. Camillus Adult Day
Health Center announces a free dementia
educational presentation for families and their
loved ones challenged with dementia. The threepart presentation will be held on Thursday,
May 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Center in
the Linwood Mill Apartments, 670 Linwood
Ave, Whitinsville. Guest speakers include
Frank S. P. Yacino, who will present on his role
as a caregiver of his wife who suffered from
Alzheimer’s disease; Michael Belleville, who will
tell his story about his diagnosis of early on-set
dementia and how he and his family are coping
knowing what the future has in store for them;
and Julie McMurray, Central Mass Regional
Manager, from the Alzheimer’s Association,
who will discuss her agency and the many
benefits that are provided to patients and their
families.
Please contact Lisa Bernard, Director at
508-266-2054 or lbernard@stcamillus.com
to register for this educational program or to
request additional information.
Community Covenant Plant,
Bake Sale
HOPKINTON-Community Covenant Church,
Hopkinton will hold a Plant Sale, Bake Sale on
Friday, May 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday,
May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. The Plant Sale includes
inexpensively priced perennials, specializing in
cottage garden favorites. Bake sale will include
Swedish baked goods. At the Friday night presale, buyers are limited to 10 plants each. Call
508-435-3723 or visit ComCovHop.org for more
information.
Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford
Annual Plant Sale
MILFORD-The Greenleaf Garden Club will hold
its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 21, at
the Kiwanis Park Louisa Lake Parking lot, Dilla
St., Milford from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The sale
will feature a wide variety of perennials from
members’ gardens as well as annuals, vegetables
and herbs. Container gardens designed by
Greenleaf Garden Club members will also be
sold. The garden gallery will offer garden related
items. Coffee and refreshments will be available.
Greenleaf Garden Club members will be there to
answer your gardening questions. Call Margaret
Thompson, Chairperson, 508-473-9548 for more
information.
The Greenleaf Garden Club is a member of the
National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Garden
Club Federation of MA, Inc.
United Parish Car Wash
UPTON-A Car Wash to benefit the United
Parish Youth Group Mission trip to
Warrensburg, NY will be held on Sunday, May
15, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the United
Parish of Upton Parking lot on Church and
North Main Streets, Upton. (Times may be
delayed because of the Loyalty Day Parade and
traffic control.)
Twice Blessed Thrift Shop
HOPEDALE-Twice Blessed Thrift Shop at
Sacred Heart Church of Hopedale will offer the
following May Specials. Half off all women’s
clothing and accessories, all men’s clothing, all
home décor items and all dishes and glassware.
The shop is open every Thursday from 9 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. and every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12
Noon. It will be closed Sunday, May 29.
Alzheimer’s Partnership Hosts Free
Education Forum
MILFORD-The South Worcester County Alzheimer's Partnership, in conjunction with
the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter
will offer free education forum on Thursday,
May 12 beginning at 12:30 p.m., at the Ruth
Anne Bleakney Senior Center, 60 North Bow St.,
Milford.
The forum will feature a lecture from Rose
Grant, author of I Left My Memory on a Bus
Somewhere: A Bittersweet Journey Through
Alzheimer’s Disease. Grant will share her journey
as a caregiver to her husband Jack, including the
knowledge and tools she gained throughout the
experience. The forum is free and open to the
public, for more information or to RSVP please
call 800-272-3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association is dedicated to
providing care and support for those affected by
the disease, as well as advancing research into
causes, treatments and cures. With headquarters
in Watertown, and regional offices in Raynham,
Springfield, Worcester and Bedford N.H., the
Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter provides
programs and services such as support groups,
professional training, educational programs, care
consultation and a 24/7 Helpline at 800-2723900. For more information visit www.alz.org/
MANH.
Joan’s Jewelry
MILFORD-On May 13, Joan’s Jewelry will be in
the Milford Regional Medical Center (MRMC)
Atrium Cafe from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jewelry
includes gold and silver jewelry and precious
and semi-precious stones.
All jewelry carries a lifetime guarantee. A
portion of the sales goes to the Milford Regional
Medical Center Auxiliary, which conducts many
fundraisers throughout the year.
The public is welcome and men and women
are encouraged to consider joining this
successful organization. For more information,
call 508-422-2099.
Thanks To Yanks Comedy Fundraiser
MILFORD-Thanks To Yanks is hosting a
Comedy Night on Saturday, May 14 at the
Italian American Veterans’ Club, 4 Hayward
Field, Milford at 7 p.m. Featured comedians are
Adam Webster, who is MC’ing the event, and
New England favorite Mike Murray. Along with
the comedy show, Thanks To Yanks will also be
having a cash bar, 50/50 raffle and silent auction.
Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the
door or for advanced ticket sales email info@
thankstoyanks.org. Patrons are invited to bring
their own food to this fun filled evening of laughs.
Thanks To Yanks is a local, nonprofit
organization providing support, resources, and
respect for members of the military, veterans
and their families. All proceeds raised at this
event along with other events throughout the
year are used solely to meet this mission. Fore
more infomration, visit ThanksToYanks.org or
Facebook.
Foxwoods Trip
MILFORD-Valencia Council #80 is sponsoring
a Foxwoods trip on Friday, June 10. Proceeds
from the trip will benefit the Council’s
Scholarship Fund. The bus leaves the Milford
Municipal lot across from Sacred Heart
Church at 4 p.m. and starts the return trip
from Foxwoods at 11 p.m. Tickets are $20 per
person, age 21 and older, and includes roundtrip
transportation plus $10 in food vouchers and
slot plays. Reserve a spot by contacting Jim
Burke, F.D.D., 508-478-9813 by June 3.
MACC Events
AREA- The Milford Area Chamber of Commerce
(MACC) will be holding the following events.
To reserve your place call 508-473-6700 or
email chamber@milfordchamber.org. For more
information about the chamber visit www.
milfordchamber.org.
Business After Hours on Wednesday, May 11
at 5 p.m. at the Xfinity Center, 885 S. Main St.,
Mansfield. The Multi Chamber event will include
members of the Tri-Town, Neposet Valley,
Taunton, United Regional and Milford Area
Chambers of Commerce.
Celebrate Milford on Saturday, May 14 from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Park, Congress
and Spruce Streets. Events will also be held at
the Miford Town Library, Memorial Hall, both
on Spruce St., and the newly renovated Milford
Youth Center on Pearl St. Rain date is May 15.
28th Annual Honor Scholars Night, Tuesday,
May 17, at Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St. Wrentham.
The chamber invites members to recognize and
honor the top 10 percent of graduating seniors
from area high schools.
CWL Businesswomen’s Luncheon on
Wednesday, May 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at Waters Corporation, 34 Maple St., Milford.
Guest speaker Heather Logrippo discuss Defining
Your Personal Brand.
Cornerstone at Milford Activities
MILFORD he public is invited to attend
the following activities at Cornerstone at
Milford Assisted Living and Memory Support
Community, 11 Birch St., Milford. Events are
free and begin at 2 p.m.
On May 16, Country Music with Tim Barrett
will present a toe-tapping performance.
On May 24, the Grab Your Passport!
Destination: Turkey will feature a performance
by musician Beth Cohen who will play Turkish
instruments.
Milford Regional Medical Center
Auxiliary Meeting
MILFORD-The Milford Regional Medical Center
Auxiliary May meeting will be held May 10 from
9:30 to 11 a.m. in the hospital Conference Room
A, 14 Prospect St., Milford.
The Auxiliary conducts many fundraisers
throughout the year, which provide support to
hospital departments. The public is welcome; men
and women are encouraged to consider joining
this successful organization. If you would like
more information about the Auxiliary, please call
508-422-2099.
Going to Pots: Container Gardening
Demonstration
MILFORD-Whether it’s annuals, perennials,
vegetables or tropicals, containers give you
the versatility and freedom to do it all. On
Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. Betty Sanders
will visit the Milford Town Library, Spruce St. to
teach the audience techniques for exciting and
successful containers gardening from the bottom
up as she assembles five containers during this
lecture and demonstration.
Sanders is a Lifetime Master Gardener with the
Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. She
is also a nationally accredited flower show judge
and has studied gardening everywhere from
Arnold Arboretum to the New York Botanical
Garden and the New England Wildflower Society.
At the end of the program these five large
outdoor, summer appropriate containers will be
raffled off!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Milford Town
Library, this event is free and open to the public.
see more calendar items online at www.towncrier.us
May 6, 2016
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Community Meals
AREA-Local churches are offering free,
nourishing meals to all in the local community.
Lunch is offered every Friday at noon at the
Blessing Barn, 146 South Main St., Milford.
Sponsored by the Bethany Community Church the
meal also offers friendship and conversation. Call
508-478-0010 for details.
Sunday Supper is offered at the Unitarian
Universalist Church, 23 Pine St., Milford, every
Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for guests of all ages.
For details about the full meal, contact the church
office at 508-473-3589, or fuumilford@verizon.net.
Food with Friends Meals program at St. Mary of
the Assumption Parish, 27 Pearl St., Milford, offers
lunch every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
and dinner the second Tuesday of the month from
6 to 7 p.m. in the Parish Center Small Hall. The St.
Vincent DePaul Committee sponsors full course
meals. For details call 508-473-2000.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 17 Congress St.,
New Commuter Rail
Schedules Released
Following a public comment period,
the MBTA has released new commuter
rail schedules that will take effect on May
23. The changes are designed to improve
performance and allow for greater schedule
reliability.
The changes will improve passengers’
experience through consistent arrival and
departure times, and additional express
service. No major changes have been
made to the T’s commuter rail schedules
in decades, despite ridership changes
and infrastructure improvements. These
changes were developed using computerbased rail simulations, field testing and
improved operations policies. New
schedules are online at http://www.mbta.
com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=644
2456079&month=&year=#Spring
Some of the highlights of the finalized
schedules are a new Express from Worcester
to Boston at 8:05 a.m. On the Franklin Line
a restored Dedham Corp. Center stop on
the morning and evening Express Trains
and the Readville stop on comparable
services. Afternoon/evening peak service
realigned to better match existing departure
time. On the Framingham/Worcester Line
all peak commuting period express trains
will serve West Natick and the 510 train will
make all stops in Wellesley.
Now Offering Color Ads on Our
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May 6, 2016
Milford, with sponsorship from volunteers of the
First Methodist Church of Milford, offers dinner
on the last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of
the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. For more details
contact the parish, 508-473-8464 or office@
trinitychurchmilford.org..
Community Brown Bag lunch / dinner is offered
on the last Saturday of each month from 6 to 7
p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 23 Pine
St., Milford. Please enter by the side door, next to
the Laundromat. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish of
Milford sponsors the meal. For information contact
Lisa and Brian Blackwell at lnbblackwell@gmail.
com.
United Parish of Upton members are offering
monthly Community Suppers the third Thursday
of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the church, 1 Church
St., Upton. Please call 508-529-3192 to reserve a
spot. Donations are gratefully accepted.
BIRTH
Sklyar Grace Murphy
Skylar Grace Murphy, the daughter of
Cami Mongiat and Kenneth Murphy
of Mendon, was born on January 18
at Milford Regional Medical Center.
Her grandparents are Tracy and Patrick
McEnaney of Mendon, Anthony
Mongiat of Hopkinton, Teena Chenevert
and Mike Wojnowski of Mendon and
Brian and Nancy Murphy of Suffern, N.Y.
Advertising in The
Town Crier makes good
business sense. How else
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Upton and Milford know
your name??? Spend your
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everybody is reading.
9
Upton News
Reaching Out in Support
Upton Meetings
Upton Town government meeting dates, times,
and locations for all boards, committees, and
commissions may be found at www.uptonma.gov
Upton Senior Center
The Upton Center is open Monday through
Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff is available by
phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities are
subject to change. Please call 508-529-4558
with any questions.
Friday, May 6
Shopping Trip to Christmas Tree Shop,
Shrewsbury, 9:15 a.m.
Monday, May 9
Trip to JJ’s Ice Cream, 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10
Personal Training Appointments, 1 to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11
Upton Police, 9 a.m.
Wellness Talk with Jessica, 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 12
Podiatrist Appointments, 8:45 a.m. to
12 p.m.
Friends of Rachel BVT Dinner, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 13
Shopping Trip to Market Basket, Hudson,
9:15 a.m.
Medication Safety Talk, 12:45 p.m.
Monday, May 16
Shopping Trip to Salvation Army, Shaw’s, Job
Lots. Walmart Loop, Northbridge, 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday, May 17
Birthday Bash, 12:45 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18
Upton Police, 9 a.m.
SHINE Appointments, 9 to 12 p.m.
Afternoon Movie & Popcorn, 1 p.m.
Friday, May 20
Shopping Trip to Price Chopper, Hopkinton,
10 a.m.
A Walk in the Park at Milford Bike Trail, 1 p.m.
Men’s Club Supper, 5:30 p.m.
Monday
Tai Chi, 1 p.m.
Tuesday
Card Players Group, 10 a.m.
Wii Games, 12:30 p.m. (Moved to 2 p.m. on
May 17 and May 31)
Wednesday
Stretch and Strength, 10 a.m.
Library Table, 11 a.m.
Canasta, 12:30 p.m.
Computer Class, 2:30 p.m. (Ends May 18;
will return in the fall)
Thursday
Knit and Crochet, 10 a.m.
Bingo, 1 p.m.
Friday
Blood Pressure Checks with EMT, 10:30 a.m.
Members of Upton’s Brownie Troop 64528 reached out to support those in the local community by delivering Girl Scout cookies and grocery
store gift cards to the United Parish’s food pantry in Upton. Members of the troop also delivered cookies and homemade desserts to Veteran’s
Inc. in Worcester. Besides the delivery, the Brownies showed patriotic and Girl Scout pride by singing a few songs. The troop members as
shown in the lower photo are, l-r: top row-Troop leader. Front row-Janice Lilburn, McKenna Scott, Elizabeth Anderson, Kate McCobb,
Linda Wang, Jayden Lilburn, Allie Martin, Maya Williamson, Megan McCobb, Ella Martin, Abigail Mullins, Madelyn Weibi, Orianna
Murphy and Troop leader Coreen Williamson. Troop 64528 photo
Hearing Slated on Access
Northeast Pipeline
By Kevin Rudden
The Massachusetts Energy Facilities
Siting Board is holding a series
of public hearings on the Access
Northeast natural gas pipeline being
proposed to go through Upton. The
next hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on
Monday in the Walpole High School
auditorium at 275 Common St.,
Walpole. Additional state hearings will
be held on May 11 in Weymouth and
May 12 in Acushnet.
According to the hearing notice,
the 16-inch diameter “West Boylston
Lateral” would be installed in Upton.
The Massachusetts board said its
hearings are separate and distinct from
those being held by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The state Siting Board also seeks
written comments about the proposed
pipeline project. These should be sent
via e-mail to both robert.j.shea@state.
ma.us and dpu.efiling@state.ma.us
or to Robert J. Shea, presiding officer,
Energy Facilities Siting Board, One
South Station, Boston, MA 02110 by
May 20.
Volunteers Need to Help
Beautification of Upton Center
On Sunday May 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Sarah Nasif, a sophomore at Nipmuc Regional
High School, will be directing a group of
volunteers at the Upton Senior Center in a
landscape beautification community service
project. The Senior Center receives generous
donations from the community, but anyone
can easily see that the exterior of the property
lacks color. As a participant in the Blackstone
Valley Leadership Academy (BVYLA)
program, Sarah was called upon to identify
a community service need in Upton or one
of the surrounding towns. After noticing the
need for a garden, Sarah approached Center
director Janice Nowicki about donating
flowers and landscaping services.
Sarah hopes to recruit a large number of
volunteers with outreach to neighbors and
peers. A complimentary pasta lunch will
be served to volunteers that Sunday. Chris
Bechara’s landscaping services as well as
material donations from Weston Nurseries
of Hopkinton and Mendon Greenhouse of
Mendon will help fuel this volunteer day.
Please contact Sarah at nasifs18@yahoo.
com if you would like to help.
What Happened After the CCC Left Upton
The Friends of Upton State Forest invite all to join them on
Friday, May 20 for their annual potluck supper at the United Parish
Vestry, 1 Church St, Upton, which begins 6 p.m. and is followed
by a free program at 7 p.m. Please RSVP for supper and indicate if
you are bringing a main dish or dessert to 508-529-6610 or news@
friendsofuptonstateforest.org.
After supper, Ellen Arnold will speak about the post-CCC history
of Upton State Forest and the reasons why some of the buildings
of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp are still standing.
Those remaining buildings of the camp, the parade ground, footprint
of the remainder of the camp, and a corridor of CCC-built resources
within the forest are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The story of why and how the camp was saved is as interesting
as the CCC-era of the camp. The National Youth Administration,
the Friends of Young Judaea, the Massachusetts State Guard, and
the Division of Fisheries and Game, as well as several agencies
now part of the Department of Conservation and Recreation all
played a role in the forest’s post-CCC history. The power point
program will describe their roles in the forest’s history and the
camp’s preservation. Following the presentation, anyone is welcome
to share their memories of the camp and the different periods of
occupation.
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10
Shown l-r are Robert Kilroy, Senator Moore,
Julia and Debra Kilroy at the Massachusetts
State House. Contributed photo
State Senator Michael O. Moore
(D-Millbury) welcomed the Kilroy family
of Upton to the State House on Thursday
to recognize the accomplishments of Julia
Kilroy, who received an Honor Award for
her participation in the 2016 Letters About
Literature competition.
Letters About Literature is a reading and
writing contest for students in grades 4-12.
Students are asked to read a book, poem
or speech and write to the author (living or
dead) about how the book affected them
personally. Tens of thousands of students
from across the country enter Letters About
Literature each year that are judged on state
and national levels.
Julia, an eighth grade student at the
Whitinsville Christian School, submitted
a letter to Ben Carson after reading his
autobiography Gifted Hands: The Ben
Carson Story. As an Honor Award recipient,
Julia’s letter ranked within the top one to
two percent of submissions.
“This accomplishment would not be
possible without a considerable investment
of time and effort,” said Sen. Moore. “I
congratulate Julia on receiving this
recognition and extend my wishes for her
continued success throughout her academic
career.”
The Letters About Literature program is
administered locally by the Massachusetts
Center for the Book. Additional
information about the competition is
available on the Center’s website, http://
massbook.org/.
16 Mendon St., Uxbridge
508-278-5100
PERIODONTIST NOW ON STAFF: Sarah D. Shih, DDS, MS, DMSc
113 Main St., Upton Plaza • 508-529-4591
Congratulations to Julia
Kilroy for Literature
Award
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lynchsriverviewwineandspirits.com
Jay Lynch
May 6, 2016
Upton News
Upton Center Says Thanks to Volunteers
A number of volunteers who help out at the Upton Center and the local Meals on Wheels
Program were recognized with a Volunteer Appreciation Day on April 15.
By Michelle Sanford
It was a day to say thanks to the many volunteers who make the Upton Center and
the local Meals on Wheel program the successes they are. On April 15, a Volunteer
Appreciation Day took place at the Upton Center in an effort to recognize the many
individuals who donate their time to help serve in need families and the elderly in the
Upton community.
“They keep all our programs going,” said Upton Center Director Janice Nowicki. “We
wouldn’t be able to do all that we do without them.” According to Nowicki, volunteering
extends to many different tasks including serving on the Council on Aging, assisting in
the office, serving lunches at the Center, distributing the newsletter, decorating the Upton
Center, as well as volunteering for the Meals on Wheels Program.
The Appreciation Day kicked off with a Super Stress Buster discussion given by Nowicki
and Social Services Coordinator Jessica Mauro which emphasized to attendees the
importance of taking care of themselves and provided a number of tips on how to destress on those busy, hectic days.
Next, attendees were invited to enjoy a delicious baked potato bar with all the fixings
and three-bean salad for lunch served up by Selectman Ken Picard and Nutrition Center
Manager Al Vautour. A beautiful Thank You cake was also served for dessert.
Vautour told the volunteers in attendance that it doesn’t matter whether it’s one hour
or 15 hours per week that they help out but that it all makes a huge difference. “You’re
all very important to us,” he said. Picard agreed. “Volunteering—that’s really the heart of
this community,” he said to the group. “I thank you very much.” Favorite entertainer Paul
Lamoureaux then sang some lively, nostalgic songs to the crowd.
Anyone interested in learning more about volunteering opportunities at the Upton
Center should contact 508-529-4558.
Upton Selectmen Hear from 495 Metrowest
Partnership
By Michelle Sanford
Jessica Strunkin, Deputy Director of
Public Policy and Public Affairs for the
495/Metrowest Partnership, paid a visit to
the Upton Selectmen during an April 19
meeting in an effort to provide them an
update of the Partnership’s activities and to
discuss ways the organization may be able
to assist the community.
The 495 Metrowest Partnership is a
public and private organization created
in 2003 that focuses on economic
development, transportation, and water
supply issues around the 495 Metrowest
region. The Partnership represents each of
the 35 communities in the area.
Strunkin spoke about the Partnership’s
newly released 2016 Strength in Numbers
report which she stated is a regional
demographic report and explains, “Why
our region matters, why the state should
invest in our region, why companies
should locate here, and why it’s great to live
here.”
Some of the report’s highlights include
information on the $22.5 billion payroll
paid between June 2014 to July 2015 in the
Metrowest area; the region is home to 1
in every 11 jobs in the state, the regional
workforce is considered highly educated
with more than 56 percent holding a
bachelor’s degree or higher, housing and
commercial real estate is competitive,
and the area’s unemployment is below
average compared to the nation and state.
“We also break the numbers down by
municipalities,” she explained.
May 6, 2016
Strunkin noted the Partnership’s
Board of Directors demonstrates a broad
constituency of public officials, town
planners, and business executives.
She also mentioned the Governor’s
new economic development plan which
initially highlighted only urban and rural
communities. “One of the things we had
commented on is the further attention
needed to suburban communities,” she
said. The Partnership also noted that water
infrastructure, such as access to water,
wastewater treatment, and stormwater
management were equally in need of
attention. As a result, both topics were
subsequently added to the Governor’s plan.
“That’s one way the Partnership works to
enhance our communities and the region
as a whole,” she said.
Strunkin said her organization will
also write letters of recommendation for
any state grants Upton may be applying
for and through the Central Mass
Metropolitan Planning Organization’s
Advisory Committee she has advocated
for the town’s Hartford Ave., High St. and
Hopkinton Road project.
Selectman Robert Fleming inquired
about the gridlock issue on 495 between
Route 9 and Mass Pike. “Anyone who
commutes that way during any time of the
day is clearly aware of what that backup is
like,” he said. Strunkin said the Partnership
has been advocating for improvements
to that area and as a result it was recently
added to a study being completed by the
Mass. Department of Transportation.
Charlotte Stuart, 95 Years Young
Charlotte (Paine) Stuart, the oldest
member of the Upton Senior Bowling
League, celebrated her 95th birthday on
April 30. She was born in Walden, Vt., the
eighth of 11 children and in 1942 married
Robert M. Stuart, who died in 1987 after a
long battle with cancer.
For many years, Charlotte worked at
Kartiganer’s Hat Factory in Upton as a
straw operator. When the factory closed,
she worked at several other places including
Waters in Milford.
Always creative and adept with her hands,
Charlotte has many accomplishments
including oil painting, rug braiding, cake
decorating, sewing, quilting, knitting and
crocheting. She also loves to play cards,
board games, crossword puzzles, jigsaw
puzzles and bowling. She likes to be busy!
Charlotte has belonged to the Methodist
Church/United Parish for 73 years, and a
member of Eastern Star for 76 years. She
enjoyed volunteering at Milford Hospital
where she received her 25-year of service
award.
Charlotte as three daughters –Sandra
Kent of Connecticut plus Helen Wood
and Ida Jette both of Upton – and five
grandchildren – Caroline Stoffel, Kyle and
Seth Wood, Brian and Rick Porter along
with The five great grandsons and three
great grand daughters.
Family and friends enjoyed a celebration
of Charlotte’s birthday at the Sparetime
Bowling in Whitinsville.
Charlotte Stuart and her family.
◆ UPTON ELECTION from front page
and will again sit on the Board of Health
for three additional years. And Raymond
Smith received a total of 767 votes for the
Planning Board’s five year seat.
Glenn Fowler received a total of 781 votes
and will sit on the Cemetery Commission
for three years and Library Trustees
Judith Katz, Kathleen Kelley, and Camille
Hamlet received 710, 741, and 745 votes,
respectively, for the three year seats. And
the Constables elected included James
Bates, Jr., Steven Driver, Sandra Hakala,
and Michael Moran who each received 720,
646, 645, and 690 votes, respectively.
Three elected seats remain vacant
and include the three year seat for the
Recreation Commission, Trust Fund
Commissioner and an additional
Constable; both for three year terms.
There were write in candidates for those
seats who may be contacted to see if they
have any interest in serving. Out of 5,361
registered voters, 1,114 residents voted in
the election or 21 percent.
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11
Mendon News
Mendon Meetings
Friday, May 6
Board of Selectmen, Miscoe Hill School, 6
p.m.
Annual Town Meeting, Miscoe Hill School,
7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10
Master Plan Committee, Town Hall, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 10
Agricultural Commission, Town Hall, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17
Annual Town Election, Miscoe Hill School,
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All meeting dates and times are subject
to change. For the most up to date
information on Mendon meetings, log on
to www.mendonma.gov.
Mendon Senior Center
The Mendon Senior Center serves Mendon
residents 60 years of age or older, people
with disabilities, and care givers. Hours of
operation are Monday through Thursday
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday
from 9 a.m. to noon, or call 508-478-6175.
Monday, May 9
Friends of Mendon Elders Monthly
meeting, 11 a.m.
Wednesday, May 11
Council on Aging Monthly Meeting,
10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 12
Mendon Minstrels Chorus, 11 a.m.,
followed by Potluck luncheon
Wednesday, May 18
Podiatry Clinic with Dr. Cooper, Call for an
Appointment, $30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pen Pal Luncheon at Clough School,
Van Transportation Available, 11:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
Monday
Food Pantry (First Monday of the Month),
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Whole Foods, 9 a.m.
Cribbage and Bridge, 9 a.m.
Tuesday
Stretch and Flexibility, 9 a.m.
Fall Prevention Exercise, 11 a.m.
Lunch Club, $3, 12 p.m.
Wii Bowling, 1 p.m.
SHINE by Appointment, (Alternating
Tuesdays)
Wednesday
Shopping Van, 8 a.m. (Alternating
Wednesdays)
Panera Bread, 9 a.m.
Yoga, 9 a.m.
T’ai Chi, 9 a.m.
Thursday
Cribbage, 9 a.m.
Stretch and Flexibility, 9 a.m.
Lunch Club, $3, 12 p.m.
Wii Bowling, 1 p.m.
Pitch League, 7 p.m.
Just-A-Wee-Day
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Established in 1972 by Suzanne Byrne
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12
Providing Quality
Care for Infants
through Age 14.
Finance Committee to Recommend Passing
Over Town Meeting Articles
By Michelle Sanford
During an April 27 meeting, members
of Mendon’s Finance Committee met
to review the finalized Annual Town
Meeting warrant. During the discussion,
the Committee unanimously decided
to recommend passing over a vehicle
purchase and several Community
Preservation Act (CPA) articles.
Article 7 on the warrant is seeking
approximately $25,000 to purchase a
vehicle for several Town Hall departments
to utilize. According to Finance Committee
Chair Mike Merolli, due to an increase
in new properties, staff in the assessor,
building inspectors, and enforcement code
departments are having to travel much
more and in need of a vehicle. However,
the Finance Committee will recommend
passing over it. “We’re not against the idea
of it,” said Merolli. “We just have questions,
like who will pay for the fuel, who will
fund repairs, where will it be housed?
That’s our job as the Finance Committee; to
look at things.” Merolli explained someone
on the floor may be able to answer those
questions and then residents may chose to
support it.
It will also be recommended that Article
8 be passed over. The town is seeking an IT
grant from the Community Compact and
the article was seeking funds to match it.
However, town officials have not received
word if the grant has been awarded.
The Finance Committee will also
recommend a CPA-related article
concerning weed control be passed over.
Article 21 is seeking CPA funds totaling
$2,400 for the removal of invasive weeds in
Inman Pond; the Trustees of Reservations
is funding another $11,000 toward the
project. “I think this the seventh year
requesting the funds to eradicate weeds in
a pond in the woods, and every year they
say this is going to be the last year,” said
Merolli.
However, according to Anne Mazar of
Community Preservation and Land Use
Committees, if the town had not funded
the weed project the nine-acre pond would
have died and “would have been a great
loss to wildlife and passive recreation.”
Soon, Mazar said the project will be at a
point where volunteers will hand pull the
weeds. She added, “If the project stops, it
will revert back to full weed coverage.”
Article 22 concerns the Affordable
Housing Coordinator’s part time salary
for $20,000 that is funded with CPA
monies. The Finance Committee is also
recommending to pass it over. Merolli
said historically the position has been
established in an effort to understand
the laws and regulations pertaining
to affordable housing and relay that
information to the appropriate boards
and committees. “That process has been
accomplished,” he explained. “Bill’s
(McHenry) done a good job but we have
that information now.”
Mazar disagreed, saying, “Bill has figured
out much of the complexities of the laws,
built a network, applied for grants and now
has two potential projects for Mendon.
Mendon needs the position so he can carry
out the projects and use the grant funding.”
Mazar added there are no volunteers or
paid staff to do so.
Parks and Recreation Director Dan Byer
said Article 23 will be passed over. Initially
the article was seeking CPA monies for
the installation of a drainage system on
Tetreault Field and upgrades to Veteran’s
Park outfield. However, engineering plans
are still being completed. Byer said the
funding request will come before voters at
another town meeting.
Article 24 on the warrant is seeking
$1,000 to digitize the town’s 300th
anniversary 16 mm film footage. “We were
told CPA funding is not an appropriate use
for this project,” said Merolli. “However,
someone could make an amendment on
the floor to utilize a different funding
source for the project.”
Merolli noted the Finance Committee
is merely recommending the articles be
passed over but the decision to vote on
and ultimately fund them is the decision
of the taxpayers. The May 6 Annual Town
Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at
Miscoe Hill School.
Temperature is Rising at
Taft Public Library
Thanks to all of the generous donors, the
temperature on the Friends of the Taft Public
Library donation thermometer keeps on going up
and up and up! The Friends are getting very close
to raising the goal of $100,000. All donations,
large and small, make a difference. Just ask fiveyear old Ella Stakus. Ella earned some money for
doing chores around the house and asked her
mom if she could give it to the new library. When
other family members heard of Ella’s generosity,
they offered to match her allowance to increase
her donation. “Ella was so proud to tell me about
her donation, that I asked the Friends if she could
help paint it on the thermometer,” said Tara
Windsor, Children’s Librarian. Ella’s gift pushed
the donation thermometer up to its current
Five-year old Ella Stakus paints her
reading of $90,000.
donation amount on the donation
Others too can help make a difference! There
thermometer outside of the Taft Public
are still many Naming Rights Opportunities
Library, bringing the current reading to
available from $100 on up by visiting
$90,000 raised. Contributed photo
TaftPublicLibrary.org or checking the Facebook
page.
The new library is getting very close to opening and the Friends are only $10,000
from reaching the goal. Just like Ella’s donation, no donation is too small and each helps
The Friends reach their goal and better equip and support the amazing things that are
happening at Taft Public Library. “The Friends of the Taft Library cannot thank the
community enough for all the support they have given us. We are looking forward to
purchasing items for the new building and getting everything moved in,” says Gabrielle
Porciello, Friends President.
Cleaning Up the
Town of Mendon
Save the Date: Saturday, June 4. The
Town of Mendon is having a Community
Cleanup Day and volunteers are needed.
Meeting at Uber Café to make the official
announcement, pictured left to right are:
Mark Reil, Chairman of the Mendon Board
of Selectmen; Betsey Brewer Bethel, president
at Earth Ltd. at Southwick’s Zoo; Bonnie
Combs, marketing director at Blackstone
Heritage Corridor, Inc. To learn more, visit
Mendoncleanup.eventbrite.com.
Mendon Banks Partner
with Town’s 350th
Anniversary Efforts
Dean Bank is partnering with Mendon’s
350th Anniversary efforts by selling
anniversary keepsakes at its Mendon
branch offices. Ladies bracelets, key chains
and coffee mugs are now available at the
bank’s 32 Hastings St. (Rt. 16) office. The
keepsakes also are available at Charles River
Banks’ 1 Hastings St. (Rt. 16) and Milford
National’s 14 Hastings St. (Rt. 16) locations.
The 350th Anniversary Store – located
at 1 Maple St., the historic building that
previously was the location for Rebecca’s
Place Too and, earlier, Danny’s Variety
– will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on
Saturday, May 7; during the Memorial
Day parade on Monday, May 30, and from
9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 4 to
sell all of the Mendon 350th Anniversary
merchandise.
People can support the town’s
forthcoming 350th Anniversary celebrations
by buying the following merchandise
bearing the anniversary logo:
• Baseball Caps: $15
• T-shirts: $15
• Sweatshirts: $20
• Hooded Sweatshirts (with and without
zippers): $25
• Coffee Mugs (15 ounces): $15
• Ladies Bracelets: $20
• Key Rings: $10
Other 350th Anniversary merchandise
will become available during 2016 and
2017. Watch for future announcements.
The Town of Mendon will celebrate its
350th Anniversary on May 15, 2017 with
a yearlong series of events that will begin
in September 2016 and continue through
September 2017. The schedule of events will
be announced in May 2016.
The anniversary is being coordinated
by the Mendon 350th Anniversary
Committee, appointed by the town’s Board
of Selectmen, and is being sponsored by the
Mendham Brothers of the Brush, a group
originally formed to celebrate the town’s
300th birthday in 1967.
May 6, 2016
Mendon News
Board of Health, Republic
Services Announce
Scholarships
The Mendon Board of Health, in
partnership with Republic Services, is proud
to announce their annual Good Citizen
Scholarship Awards, which are provided to
high school graduating seniors in the Town
of Mendon. This year two scholarships of
$500 each will be offered. Applications are
available online at www.mendonma.gov
under the Board of Health portion of the
town website and in the Board of Health
office. Applications must be received by
the Board of Health office no later than
Wednesday, May 11, at 3 p.m.
Mendon Household
Hazardous Waste Day 8
The Mendon Board of Health is
sponsoring a household hazardous waste day
on Saturday, June 18 between the hours of
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is for Mendon
residents only. No commercial ventures will
be allowed. Proof of residency required.
First come, first served. The location of the
event is behind the Mendon Highway Barn
on Providence St. next to the Senior Center.
Accepted items for disposal include oil
based paints, stains, varnishes, strippers,
solvents, automotive fluids and cleaners,
waste oil, degreasers, poisons, insecticides,
herbicides, fungicides, household cleaners,
acids, polishes, photo chemicals, swimming
pool chemicals, and adhesives. Excluded
substances explosives, asbestos, empty
containers, shock sensitive materials,
radioactive, ethological, biological, medical
waste, ammunition, fireworks, empty gas
cylinders, antifreeze, and car batteries.
This event will be held rain or shine. For
more information please call the Board of
Health at 508-634-2656 or email at boh@
mendonma.gov.
The Taft Public Library
is Moving
On Saturday, May 14 at 12 p.m. the current
Taft Public Library location at 18 Main St.
will close. The library will re-open at 29
North Ave. on Tuesday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
Mendon items will not be accessible for
holds, browsing, borrowing, or returns.
Patrons can borrow items from any other
C/W MARS library in person or can put
holds on items from other libraries (using
an online account) and select a convenient
pickup location of your choice, such as
Milford, Hopedale, Upton, Uxbridge, or
Bellingham. “Mendon” cannot be selected
as a pickup location. Borrowed items can be
returned to any library in the C/W MARS
system besides Mendon. Patrons can still
access online resources, download e-books,
e-audio books or periodicals, and stream
music or videos from the Taft Public Library
website.
Additionally, patrons will not be able to
use the museum passes, story hours, library
programs, and computers.
Due dates on all materials from the
Mendon facility will be extended to new Taft
Public Library re-opening date. No late fees
will occur during this moving period. Items
belonging to other libraries will not have
extended due dates. These must be returned
on time to other local C/W MARS libraries.
To request items through the C/W MARS
Network, select Account Login at the bottom
of the Search Library Catalogs box on the
right hand side of the library homepage. Log
in with your library card number and your
password/PIN.
Check TaftPublicLibrary.org for more
information or call 508-473-3259 with any
questions.
May 6, 2016
Mendon Town Election
Ballot Complete
By Michelle Sanford
Just a reminder that May 17 is the date of
Mendon’s Annual Town Election. The final
ballot shows candidates running for each of
the 11 offices up for re-election, however,
there are no races that will be determined.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
that day at Miscoe Hill School.
Nearly every candidate running is an
incumbent and includes Mark Reil who
is seeking another term as Selectman
for three more years, Jay Byer for Town
Moderator for one year, Diane Duncan
for the Mendon Upton Regional School
District School Committee for three years,
William Ambrosino for the Planning Board
for five years, Andrew Fiske for the Board
of Health for three years, Ken O’Brien
for Assessor for three years, Amy Fahey
and Sharron Luttrell for the two seats
for Library Trustees for three years, and
Allan Byrne for Park Commissioner for
three years. In addition, Kevin Rudden is
running for Water Commissioner for three
years; although not an incumbent, Rudden
served on the Water Commission back in
the late 90s. And finally, after the recent
passing of incumbent Howard Phipps, who
was running for Tree Warden, Assistant
Tree Warden Alan Tetreault will run for the
three year office.
The last day to obtain an absentee ballot
from the Town Clerk’s office is May 16,
by 12 p.m. The deadline for residents to
register to vote in the Town Election was
April 27. Those with questions on their
voter registration status may contact the
Town Clerk’s office at 508-473-1085 or
email townclerk@mendonma.gov.
Progressive Yard Sale Set
This year in the bustling Little Town of
Mendon, the Friends of Mendon Elders
will once again hold their Progressive
Yard Sale. This has been an annual event
for 12 years and every year promises to
be bigger and better. It all starts at 7:30
a.m. on June 11 (rain date June 12) at the
Mendon Senior Center where shoppers first
stop and shop. There, they purchase the
Master List of Sales Directory with a map
of Mendon for only $2. Once shoppers have
the Directory and map, they will “progress”
from the Senior Center’s Yard Sale to the
many other yard sales throughout the entire
town.
Last year more than 40 homes
participated with folks coming from
miles around. Any Mendon resident
wanting to participate in this town-wide
yard sale may contact the Friends group
at friendsofmendonelders@verizon.net
to obtain a registration form. In exchange
for the $15 registration fee supporting
the Friends with this annual fund-raiser,
Selectmen have agreed to waive the usual
$5 yard sale permit fee to participants that
day. The Friends do all the advertising and
publicity and provide a laminated yard
sale sign for participant’s mailbox post. For
those unable to hold a yard sale at their
home, the Senior Center is offering limited
space for your event on a first come basis.
While some businesses in town have
graciously taken out ads in the Master List
of Sales Directory in support of the Friends
and their mission to support the Senior
center programs and facilities, it is hoped
that many businesses will participate in
the event by listing a special sale of the day
or other special in the directory. For more
information, call 508-478-6175 or 508-4736614. Registration forms can also be found
on the Home Page of the Town’s Website
under forms at www.mendonma.gov.
Tax Relief, Citizen’s Petitions on May 6
Town Meeting Warrant
By Michelle Sanford
Residents attending Friday’s Annual
Town Meeting will determine the outcome
of 30 articles on the warrant. While a
number of the articles are considered
standard and therefore voted on each
year, several articles are being brought
forward by the Board of Assessors in
an effort to provide tax relief to certain
qualified residents. “We want to make
certain we’re offering everything we can
to residents,” said Assessor Kevin Rudden
when explaining the articles to the Board
of Selectmen during an April meeting.
The first of the Assessor’s articles is
Article 15 which is seeking approval from
residents to appoint one of the town’s
Assessors as the designated field agent,
who is responsible for measuring new
growth in the town. “When building
permits are issued, the data collector
goes out and measures the addition or
new house so that it can be assessed and
added to the property tax rolls,” said
Rudden. Currently, each of the town’s
three Assessors receive an annual stipend
of $2,600. If residents support Article 15,
two of the Assessor’s have agreed to reduce
their stipends and allocate that funding to
the new field agent. “What we are doing is
taking the existing three $2,600 per board
member stipend and reallocating it to
$200, $200, and $7,400, with the person
receiving the $7,400 doing 99 percent
of the data collection work,” explained
Rudden.
Article 16 is also being brought forward
by the Assessor’s and seeks to increase
the amount of the qualifying maximum
gross receipts from $20,000 to $40,000
in accordance with Mass. General Law
pertaining to residents in need of a tax
deferral. “It’s not a forgiveness of taxes, it’s
a deferment of taxes to another year. We’re
not losing tax money,” explained Finance
Committee Chair Mike Merolli.
The next several articles concern efforts
to provide tax relief to qualified residents
and military personnel. Article 17, if
passed, will provide exemptions from
excise taxation on vehicles owned by
residents who are on active and fulltime
military service as members of the armed
forces or National Guard serving overseas
for at least 45 days.
Article18 also concerns military
personnel and seeks to provide a real estate
and personal property tax abatements to
members of the Massachusetts National
Guard or military reservists on active duty
serving overseas.
The next article, Article 19, concerns
the Community Preservation Act tax and
will offer those residents who qualify for
low income housing or low or moderate
income senior housing an exemption from
the three percent surcharge. The article will
also need to be passed by a ballot vote in
November.
In addition, two citizen’s petitions are
also on the warrant. Article 29 is being
brought forward by residents who are
aiming to adopt stricter zoning regulations
when it comes to constructing solar farms
in town. “They’re requesting we no longer
allow them in the residential district,”
explained Planning Board Chair Bill
Ambrosino. A public hearing was held in
April on the measure.
In relation to Article 29, the solar
development company BlueWave Capital is
planning to construct a 20 acre solar farm
on 128 Providence St., 67 Bates St., and 72
Thayer Road and therefore Article 26 is
seeking a PILOT agreement for that solar
facility.
The last article on the warrant, Article
30, is another zoning bylaw amendment
request from a Cape Road business looking
to rezone all their land to commercial in
order to relocate a construction garage on
the property.
The May 6 Annual Town Meeting will
begin at 7 p.m. at Miscoe Hill School.
2016 Mendon Senior of the Year Nominations
The Mendon Council on Aging is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Senior
Citizen of the Year. Since 1978 some deserving person (or persons) has been awarded
the annual distinction of Senior Citizen of the Year. The chosen Mendon resident, age 60
or older, generally exemplifies a spirit of public service and has made a positive difference
in the community. Written nominations will be accepted until June 1 and the award will
be presented in September. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Mendon Senior
Center or on-line from the Council on Aging home page, at MendonMa.gov. Please drop
off or mail nominations to the Senior Center at 62 Providence St., Mendon, MA 01756. For more information about the nomination process, please call 508-478-6175.
boarding and doggie daycare
13
Mendon News
◆ MENDON ATM from front page
Revolving funds are set up by the town in an effort to collect fees to support that board
or department and must be approved by voters each year. And Article 14 will request
$2,500 for a police matching grant program.
There are several nonfinancial articles on the warrant and include accepting a number
of roads in the Cobbler’s Knoll subdivision, a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes)
agreement with BlueWave Capital, a solar development company planning to construct
a solar farm at 128 Providence St., 67 Bates St., and 72 Thayer Road. In association
with that, a number of residents are bringing forth a citizen’s petition article at the
Town Meeting in an effort to change zoning regulations prohibiting solar arrays in the
residential district.
The complete warrant may be found on the town’s Web site under the Town Clerk’s
page at www.mendonma.gov.
Mendon Selectmen Discuss Completing New
Police Station
By Michelle Sanford
The Board of Selectmen began
discussions on forming a new Police Station
Building Committee in an effort to get the
new police headquarters project moving
once again. The conversation took part
during an April Selectmen’s meeting.
After residents rejected a ballot question
in 2008 to build the new headquarters, the
Friends of the Mendon Police Station was
formed and through financial donations,
fundraising efforts, and volunteers, the
group went on to construct the shell of the
new building, as well as complete work
on the septic system and other electrical
needs. Selectman Chris Burke estimated the
Friends Police Group, which he also served
on, saved the town about $750,000.
However, due to a lack of funding, the
work has come to a halt and it was decided
by the Friends in order to finish the
Morrison Dr. building, it was best to turn
the project over to the town. “We brought
the project as far as we could. We have a
[new] police station a quarter of the way
constructed and obviously we want to get
this project completed,” said Burke.
The current police station has been cited
by the state for a number of deficiencies
including the lack of holding cells, its size
is too small for staff, the bathroom facilities
are inadequate, as is the air exchange
system. “There are a myriad of problems,”
confirmed Police Chief Ernie Horn at
the Selectmen’s meeting. He added that
the lack of the new station has also held
up other communities from wanting to
share dispatch services with Mendon and
noted the state will provide funding for
a new dispatch center when a building is
completed.
The Selectmen believe the first step
to completing the project is to form a
new Police Station Building Committee
whose members can analyze the
additional financial and constructions
needs necessary. Burke said a full set
of construction documents and costs
estimates are already complete from several
years back.
The Selectman discussed several possible
options for financing the new headquarters.
Burke explained in 2018 school debt will
be coming off and if residents approved a
debt exclusion to complete the new station,
there would be no new financial impact to
the town.
Both Selectmen Mark Reil and Rich
Schofield suggested using revenue from
the town’s solar projects. However, Burke
disagreed stating solar revenue should
be utilized to meet the town’s long term
financial objectives and capital needs. If the
debt exclusion is the route the Selectmen
decide on, it would be voted on during a
Special Town Meeting and then placed on
the November presidential ballot.
Toward the end of the discussion, Burke
said he was grateful to everyone who
volunteered for the Friends of the Mendon
Police Station and who volunteered their
time and donated funds to the measure.
“This was a huge, huge undertaking and
a huge time commitment to just get it to
where it is now,” he said. “I just want to
thank everybody.”
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May 6, 2016
TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library News
Main St, Mendon • 508-473-3259 • TaftPublicLibrary.org
Tu, Wed 10-7 • Thurs 3-7 • Fri 12-5 • Sat 9-12 • Closed Sun & Mon
Submitted by Tara Windsor, Children’s Librarian, and Andrew Jenrich,
Director
Taft Public Library is Moving
The Taft Public Library will close for the final time at its current location
on Main St. at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 and will reopen at 29 North
Ave, its new location, on June 14 at 10 a.m. During this month of moving,
patrons may access library materials at other C/W Mars libraries in the
area or online at TaftPublicLibrary.org or CWMars.org. A complete
rundown of what will be available to Taft Public Library patrons during
the move can be found on page 13 of this issue of the Upton Mendon Town
Crier or at TaftPublicLibrary.org.
Adult Book Club
Book club meetings are usually at 7pm the first Monday of the month
unless it is a holiday. New members are always welcome to join! Please
stop in or call the library at 508-473-3259 for more information or to
request a copy of the selected book. Upcoming book club selections are as
follows: June’s discussion: Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Newsbank
The Taft Library is now providing access to the Newsbank database and
Freegal, a downloadable music and movies service. Newsbank provides
access to hundreds of local, regional, and college newspapers from all
50 states. Freegal offers over nine million songs, 15,000 music videos,
and 5,200 movies and TV programs to download. Both are available for
current library cardholders to access from our website: TaftPublicLibrary.
org
Friends of the Taft Public Library
The Friends of the Taft Public Library typically meet at 5:30 pm on the
last Friday of each month upstairs in the Library. Come and join in on the
fun and help them strengthen the Library’s connection with the Mendon
community. For more information visit the Taft Public Library website
and click on the ‘Friends of the Taft Library’ link or email the Friends at
friendsoftaftlibrary@gmail.com.
Wicked Pissed: New England’s Most Famous Feuds
Ted Reinstein of WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle returns to Mendon
on Tuesday, May 24 at the Mendon Senior Center, Providence St. in the
evening. On his last visit Reinstein told us about the curious characters
he met and places he visited which are the subject of his New England
Notebook. This time he regales us with tales of rivalries and bad blood
recounted in his new book Wicked Pissed: New England’s Most Famous
Feuds. Mark your calendars for his visit the evening of Tuesday, May 24 at
the Mendon Senior Center and check our website for further details.
May Children’s News
Story & Craft Time:
Stop in this month and join us for story and craft time for all ages, no
registration. Story and craft time are held Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1
p.m. plus Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Either the
Tuesday or Wednesday morning story hour will be in Spanish with a guest
reader, thanks to coordinator Caroline Scott. May’s schedule is as follows:
May 10 and 11: Anything Goes!!!
Itty Bitty Story Time
Itty Bitty Story time, held on Tuesdays from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m., is
designed for our youngest patrons: birth to three-years old. This program,
designed to introduce the library to its youngest patrons, includes stories,
songs, musical instruments, and a whole lot more to keep the little ones
engaged and entertained. Join us for a lot of fun! No registration is
required.
Book Clubs
The 6-9 Book Club will be meeting on June 23 at 5 p.m. to discuss The
Littles by John Peterson. The 8-12 Book Club will be meeting on Thursday,
June 30 at 5 p.m. to discuss The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms by
Chris Colfer.
Registration is required and books are available at the children’s desk.
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UPTON TOWN LIBRARY
2 Main St, Upton • 508-529-6272 • uptonlibrary.org
Tu, Wed, Th 10-8 • Fri, Sat 9-2, Sun & Mon closed
Submitted by Nicole Claire, Children’s Librarian
and Matthew Bachtold, Library Director
Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Upton Town Library
are hosting a spring book sale on May 21 the
Library Lawn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your
Friends Totebag and fill it for $20. Hardcovers/
DVDs $2, Paperbacks $1, Children’s books 50
cents. In case of rain, the book sale will be held
inside Town Hall. See more details on the yellow
Friends of the Library insert flyer.
Seeking a Library Site
Upton has issued a new request for proposals
for land to be used as a library site. If you
own or know of a site in Upton that would be
suitable for a new library building, please see
the Friends of the Library insert flyer, visit the
procurement page on uptonma.gov, or call
Matthew Bachtold at the library, 508-529-6272,
to discuss making a proposal.
Library Mobile App
Upton Library has its own mobile app! Search
for Upton Library on the app store or google
play and look for our black and white reading
tree logo. The app is a free download and gives
access to library information and services in a
mobile friendly format. Access the catalog and
online resources, see our new books, view staff
picks and get notifications of library events.
May Storytime Schedule
Preschool storytimes are held on Thursdays
from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Children’s Area. Best
suited for ages 3-6, drop-ins are welcome.
May 12: STEM Young Scientists Program
May 19: Spanish-English Storytime with
MURSD’s Spanish Immersion teachers.
May 26: STEM Young Scientists Program
June 2: STEM Young Scientists Program
Young Scientists
On May 12, May 26, June 2, and June 16
at 10 a.m. YMCA Family and Community
Partnership (YFCP) with STEM Beginnings
will offer a Young Scientists program for
children aged 3-5 years with a Parent/Caregiver.
Young Scientists is a free hands-on enrichment
program teaching Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math concepts through handson activities, challenges and simple experiments
for children ages 3-5 years. Registration is
required, call the library at 508-529-6272 or
email Miss Nicole at nicole.uptonlibrary@gmail.
com.
Read to Honey
Have you met Honey? She is our certified
reading dog affiliated with the Dog B.O.N.E.S.
therapy dog program of Massachusetts who will
also have her favorite human in tow, handler
Sarah Freeman. Ages 5 and up are welcome to
read to Honey for a 15 minute block between 4 and
5:30 p.m. each Tuesday. Register by emailing nicole.
uptonlibrary@gmail.com. Schedule may be subject to
change; please visit our library website for a complete
lineup of reading sessions for May 2016.
Tinytots Storytime
Tinytots is a lapsit storytime for children ages 0-3
held on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.. If weather permits,
some sessions may be held outdoors at various
locations around town. Sign up with Nicole at Nicole.
uptonlibrary@gmail.com to be notified of special
location plans.
On May 21 join guest instructor Maite Attenelle
of Sudbury’s Early Language School for a bilingual
French-English storytime.
Summer Reading 2016: Fitness, Wellness and
Sports
Registration for Summer Reading 2016 opens on
Tuesday, June 14. Our theme will be Fitness, Wellness
and Sports! Stay tuned for updates on our summer
reading programming on our website as well as
through our social media handles. Responsible and
mature volunteers are needed for summer events;
work may be applied as school volunteer credit if
necessary. Volunteers may be asked for a CORI
check. For more information please contact Nicole at
nicole.uptonlibrary@gmail.com.
Library Book Discussion Group
The library supports a monthly book discussion
group, which alternates between fiction and nonfiction titles. All titles are selected by the members,
and copies of the book are available at the Library.
Meetings are held from 7 to 8 p.m. on the last
Wednesday of each month at Memorial Elementary
School.
Join us on May 25 to discuss The Path Between
the Seas by David McCullough, a history of the
construction of the Panama Canal.
Need More Information?
For the latest information about Upton Town
Library, visit our website at uptonlibrary.org or
contact Upton Town Library at 508-529-6272.
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Enjoy Fashion, Fabric and Fantasy at RISD Museum this Summer
By Jane Bigda
Editor
Do you love fashion, color,
fabric or fantasy? Then make sure
to stop by the Rhode Island School
of Design (RISD) Museum this
summer. Located in the heart of
Providence, at 20 North Main St.,
the museum is hosting an exhibit
of Todd Oldham’s fashions through
September 11.
All of Everything: Todd Oldham
Fashion is the first major exhibition
to focus on the exuberant style and
playful aesthetic of the designer’s
1990s fashion career. The multitalented designer burst onto the
New York fashion landscape in 1989
and, within a year, was called in
the New York Times, “more than a
designer to watch; he’s happening.”
Winning top honors in his field,
Oldham blazed a spirited trail
before he closed down his house of
fashion in 1999 to focus on other
creative pursuits.
Located in RISD’s Chace Gallery
for Special Exhibits, the All of Everything installation allows visitors
to gradually move into Oldham’s
work. The first gallery features selected ensembles grouped through
the room surrounded by projections
of 1990s runway footage and videos
of Oldham discussing his creative
process, philosophy and collaborations. Exhibits highlight the fabrics
and embellishments he used.
Fantastical, richly colored and embellished fashions engulf visitors at the All of Everything: Todd Oldham
Fashion exhibit at the RISD Museum this summer. RISD Museum photo
is a “fountain” dais featuring
a fantastical, multi-colored,
richly embellished, full skirted
dress created by RISD students
collaborating with Oldham.
More works of art rather than
wearable garments, Oldham’s
work inspires and entertains.
As one woman was overheard
commenting on the exhibition,
“This makes me want to get out
my sewing machine.”
Besides the special Oldham
exhibit, RISD offers viewers a
wide-ranging selection of other
special exhibits and galleries of
its permanent collection from
the ancient art of the Egyptians,
Romans and Greeks and the
preserved 19th century Charles
Pendleton House to Impressionist,
modern art and creations by
Moving into the major gallery
visitors are greeted with an
explosion of color, fantasy and
design as stark white mannequins
are clothed in 65 full ensembles—
from Oldham’s Swarovski crystalencrusted feats of craftsmanship
to his Pantone non-repeating
print designs. The exhibit, which
Oldham designed, is arranged
in the style of a formal French
garden. Paths lead visitors through
sections featuring Oldham’s
spectacularly embellished
designs—abundant with sequins,
beads, and embroidery—and
into gatherings of his more
minimal black-and-white designs,
and groupings of his various
experiments with printing and
other techniques.
The centerpiece of the show
RISD students. Highlights include
a focus on Rhode Island based
art, decorative pieces including
silver and textiles—industries that
marked the history of the Ocean
State.
The RISD Museum is open
Tuesdays through Sundays from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on the third
Thursday of the month until 9
p.m. It is closed July 4. Admission
is $12 for adults, $10 for senior
citizens (age 62+), $3 for youths
(age 5-18), free for children under
five, $5 for college students with
ID. It is free for all on Sundays and
during the extended hours, 5 to
9 p.m., on the third Thursday of
the month. For more information
visit RISDMuseum.org.
Great
banking is in
the
M
E
L
B
O
R
P
.
D
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V
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SO
n
o
gt
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Member FDIC
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16
Em
Uxbridge Rd
ers
on
St
Rd
32 Hastings
Street
24-hour drive-up ATM
located at opposite end
of the branch plaza
illv
ille
If you’ve been looking for a local bank with great products,
customer rewards and outstanding service, stop by the
Hood Plaza today!
Valerie Knox
Assistant Vice President,
Branch Officer
16
M
Dean Bank is much more than an ATM in the plaza corner. It’s fullservice banking at its best! We’re conveniently located across from
Mendon Driving Range (in the same plaza as Subway).
M – W: 8:30am – 4pm
Th – F: 8:30am – 6pm
Sat: 8:30am – Noon
hin
as
W
There’s a great bank in the
Mendon Hood Plaza!
“I choose Dean because of the fine folks at
the Mendon Branch. I’ve never experienced
a nicer group of bankers before.”
– Monique, Dean Bank Customer
32 Hastings Street (Rt. 16) • Hood Plaza • Mendon, MA 01756
www.deanbank.com • (508) 634-0040
FRANKLIN BELLINGHAM BLACKSTONE MENDON
May 6, 2016
Happenings at West Hill Dam
The following activties will be offered
at West Hill Dam, 518 East Hartford Ave.
Uxbridge. For more information or to
register for a program call 508-278-2511.
All events are free and open to the public
unless otherwise noted. Most events
are cancelled for heavy rains and Junior
Rangers Level-2 may earn credit.
Park Opening
West Hill Park opens for the official
summer season on Saturday May 21. Park
gates will be open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
on weekends and holidays and from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, until school
is out on June 20. The park is a place to
play for everyone of all ages; swimming
beaches, hiking trails, a mountain bike
and equestrian trail, sand volleyball court,
fishing areas, horseshoe pits and nature
viewing areas. Rangers will lead hikes, dam
tours and other activities throughout the
summer. Park event calendars and posters
are located at the park bulletin board.
Three picnic shelters are available for
family gatherings, church picnics, reunions,
birthday and graduation parties. All visitors
to West Hill Park are required to pay a Park
Vehicle Fee- minimum $5 per car, Walk-in
or Bike in for $2 per person. Youth 15 and
under are free. Call the Ranger Team for
all the details including Senior, Disability,
Annual Visitor Passes, which may be used
at U.S. Army Corps of Engineer facilities.
Shelter reservations can be made on line at
Recreation.gov.
First of the Season Campfire
The Ranger Team at West Hill Dam
invites everyone to enjoy a starlit night,
marshmallows and the glow of a campfire
on Saturday May 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the
West Hill Park shelter off Quaker St. Dress
comfortably and bring insect repellent
plus guitars, stories, chairs, blankets and of
course marshmallows are encouraged. An
adult must accompany children under 16.
If you have any questions, please contact
Ranger Viola Bramel at 978-318-8417
Wildflower Walk
Will wild grapevine juice make your
mustache grow? Can you make a shoe
innersole from mullein? Join Park
Rangers on Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. for
stroll through the West Hill Grassland
and Woodland Trail area. Explore early
blooming plants and the many ways
humans have used them. Youth under the
age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Celebrate Milford
1st Annual Beer & Wine Tasting
3-6pm • May 14, 2016 • Milford Town Park
Purchase tickets now and reserve your spot in the tent! Over 20
craft breweries and wineries will be there! Tickets are limited
and will be sold first come, first served.
$30/ticket
$25/2 or more tickets
Buy tickets soon! Event may sell out fast! Tickets can be
purchased online at www.celebratemilford.com/beer-wine-tasting/ or by mailing check to: Celebrate
Milford, 258 Main Street, Suite 306, Milford, MA 01757
Sponsored by Lioce/Produced by Crafted
Participating Beer & Wine Vendors include:
Milford Rotary Club
Lobster Raffle
Win a Bushel of Lobsters
$5 for 1 ticket/$10 for 3
Purchase Tickets at
Rotary’s Booth at
Saturday, May 14
Milford Town Park
10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, May 14 • 10am - 8pm
Milford Town Park
Drawing will be held Tuesday, May 17 at Rotary Club Meeting
Are You Still Paying Too Much
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Use of these services is subject to the Terms of Use
and accompanying policies at www.canadadrugcenter.com.
May 6, 2016
17
Browsing Th
Grafton Country Store
Mother’s Day Gifts, Cards, & Candy!
Also featuring
Nora Fleming • Brighton
John Medeiros • Jo Jos
1
STORE HOURS
Tues-Sat 9:30am - 9pm
Sun 10:30am - 9pm
508-839-4898
www.GraftonCountryStore.net
2 Grafton Common, Grafton
nevermindshop@gmail.com
Serving Gifford’s Ice Cream All Year!
9
CONES ON THE COMMON
$2 ICE CREAM (with coupon)
Open Until 9pm Every Night!
3
t.
in
Ma
ol St
wo
Lin
od
Primitive, Country
French Country, and Antiques
e
Av
Americana Style Now Arriving!
Milk St.
Douglas
4
2A Maple St., Mendon
Across from Town Hall
508-826-9625
Elmdale Rd
10
~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Outdoor Summer Programs
Fishing - Archery - Canoeing - Kayaking & More
Come visit our consignment boutique featuring women’s, plus and
junior’s clothing, household decorative items, small accent furniture,
jewelry, handbags & accessories!
~ Consignment Items Taken by Appointment ONLY ~
508-278-9700
Tues 10-5 • Wed, Thurs 10-6 • Fri, Sat 10-5
St
Hours: monday 10-5 tue-wed closed
thursday-sat 10-5 sunday 12-5
cla
He
Come in for Mother’s Day
and SAVE 10%
on your purchase!
4
N.
Scho
2
Collective Home Decor
Country Bumpkins
Mendon
St.
anic S
Mech
Sutton St
9 8
6
.
ThePawPlanet.com
122A
St
508-234-8900
er
1167-3 Providence Rd, Whitinsville
Store Hours:
M-F 9-7, Sat 9-6,
Sun 12-5
1
ve.
PET SUPPLIES
Dogs • Cats • Birds Fish
Reptiles • Small Animals
5
ak
Call or visit our
website or
Facebook for more
information!
1. Grafton Country Store
Grafton
2
Paw Planet
Northbridge
3. Country Bumpkins
Mendon
4. Sassy Foxx
Uxbridge
5. Perreault Nursery
Grafton
6. Spaightwood Galleries
Upton
7. Stardust Jewelers
Mendon
8. Fin and Feather Sports
Upton
9. The Nevermind Sho;p
Upton
10. Bernat Antiques
Uxbridge
nA
Private Lessons
Available!
Index of Advertisers
Qu
DOG
TRAINING
CLASSES
Gle
2
Buy - Sell - Trade
9 Sessions Available this Summer July 5 - Aug. 26
• 1 day clinics for 3-5 year olds
• 4 or 5 day sessions for Girls & Boys 6-15
• Program is from 9am-2pm
8 • Extended day offered from 8am-4pm
Stop in for all your sports equipment needs!
Enjoy a
and inter
It's our a
Reader’s
Choice
Award
2015
R
www.sassyfoxxconsignment.com
New Location: 19 DEPOT ST, UXBRIDGE (just off Rte. 16, Downtown)
18
May 6, 2016
he Back Roads
Bernat Antiques
Enjoy some retail therapy
7
10
We Buy and Sell Antiques!
Rick and Corinna Taylor
Tues thru Sun 10-5
Friday til 7 - Closed Mon
Fiske Mill Rd
89 Elmdale Rd
Uxbridge
508-278-5525
Wes
t St.
Ce
ntr
al S
t.
6
Spaightwood
Galleries
120 Main St, Upton • 508-529-2511
S. Main
St.
3
1963 - 1995
Millville Rd.
7
ANTONI TÁPIES
ORIGINAL PRINTS
Showing until November 8, 2015
Blackstone St
We are available on Saturdays from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from noon to
6 p.m., and weekdays by arrangement
Visit us at spaightwoodgalleries.com
and find us on Facebook.
Blackstone
Milk St.
a drive in the Country and stop to visit our unique
resting advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad in the
Upton/Mendon Town Crier and say
"THANKS FOR ADVERTISING!"
advertisers that bring us all of the news of the area ...
a fun way to enjoy our neighborhoods.
Remember to BUY LOCAL ... SHOP LOCAL
Keep your $$ in your Community
Perreault Nursery
and Landscape Supply
VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP
5
4 Carroll Road, North Grafton
508-839-6828 www.Perreaultnurseries.com
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8
Choose from our wonderful selection of
Lilacs • Rose Bushes • Hanging Baskets
Gift Certificates
ORDER YOUR MULCH!
Walkways • Patios • Landscaping Designs • Installation
FAIRY GARDEN SUPPLIES
May 6, 2016
19
Energy Costs!
This Summer Reduce
your
Save up to 80%
on electricity costs
when upgrading from
a single-speed pump
Variable Speed pumpS
SuperFlo® VS
508-966-1322 cRyStalpoolStoRe.coM
95 Mechanic St, Rte 140, Bellingham
Monday-Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-4
open Sundays Starting May 15th • open Memorial Day 9-1
Monthly Payment
Plan Available
Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 28; that’s
the day a new circus will be coming to Mendon as
they have in past years. The Mendon Lions Club is
sponsoring Circus Day for the enjoyment of young
and old. This year, The Zerbini Family Circus will
present two shows on July 28 at the Fino Lot, corner
of Route 16 and North Ave. The show is a family
circus, one ring presentation under an attractive big
top, featuring performing camels, the liberty horse
act and trained dogs. The program is rounded out
with clowns, acrobats, aerialists and jugglers. The
Zerbini Family Circus has been touring since 1992. Ticket prices and advance sale locations will be
announced soon, but for now, get ready for a Great
Circus Day on July 28.
Lawn & Garden
Tractor Pulls At
Waters Farm
Hopedale
Country Club
Individual
Memberships
Starting at $957
Adult Seniors
$1,436
Adult Individuals
$1,595
New Circus Coming to
Mendon in July
JOIN NOW
The Best Value in Golf
• Unlimited play 7 days a week
• Private Course Conditions
• No Food Minimum
• Men’s & Women’s Leagues
• Tournaments / Social Events
• Fun for the Whole Family
• Lessons from PGA Pro
Craig Coombes
Visit www.hopedalecc.com/memberships or contact:
Craig Coombes (PGA Pro) • 508-473-9876
Thomas Haynes (membership committee member),
• 508-478-5033
SUTTON-Waters Farm, 53 Waters
Rd., Sutton, is pleased to announce
the 2016 Lawn & Garden Tractor
Pull season has started, with a
special event on Sunday, May
15. Going forward, the event will
be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
the second Sunday of the month
from June through September. The
pull is open to all ages. Minors
must have adult supervision. Most
pulls run in conjunction with
other Waters Farm activities for
the family. For more information
on the tractor pull, contact Bob
Chauvin at 508-949-0971.
Senior Day Trip to
Martha’s Vineyard
MENDON-The Mendon Senior Center is sponsoring
a trip to scenic Martha’s Vineyard on June 16. The
group departs from the Mendon Senior Center,
62 Providence St. at 8:30 a.m. by motor coach to
board the Island Queen Ferry out of Falmouth.
Upon arriving, a guided tour in Oak Bluffs will take
place with its colorful gingerbread cottages and
travel to nearby Edgartown for individual browsing.
Attendees will return by ferry to Falmouth to enjoy
a delicious dinner at the Old Country Buffet before
returning home to Mendon at approximately 7 p.m.
The cost of this tour is $89 per person made payable
to the Friends of Mendon Elders. Stop by or call the
center at 508-478-6175 to reserve space.
Summer Specialty and Day Camps in
Milford
Len Morcone, Director of the Milford Community School Use Program
has released the 2016 Summer Specialty Camp Program schedule. Each
summer, the Milford Community Program offers many sports, fitness,
educational, art and music programs. This year, there are over 30 programs
for children of all ages.
Dates, times, cost and locations are available at the Community Use Office,
located at the Milford High School, West Fountain St., or MCS.Milford.
ma.us On the home page, select “Kids Summer” from the menu on the left
and our listing of day camps and specialty camps may be viewed by scrolling
down. Click on each program to see the details, fees and registration forms.
Information is also available for the weekly Milford Community School Use
Program’s Summer Day Camp, which begins June 27 and end August 5.
Space for all programs is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information on these camps or any other summer programs,
please call the Milford Community School Use Program office, 508-478-1119,
visit MCS.Milford.ma.us, or stop by the office located in Milford High School.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The
office is accessible between 2:30 and 3:30 pm due to school security protocol.
Milford Country Club
Golf in Privacy
Milford Country Club Condos & Golf Course
Memberships Available $350.ºº
9 Hole: Par 3 • No Tee Times Required
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE
milfordcountryclubcondo.com
Gift
Certificates
Available
Call Miss Schube at 508-478-1250 or
email: milfordcountryclub@niles.com for full information
20
May 6, 2016
Summer Program at Upton Rec Comm
Kids @ Play
Ages K-8!
This summer, send your child to Kids @ Play,
where campers play with friends and have fun
all day long. Activities range from swimming,
kickball, sand castle contests, tennis, baseball,
fishing, kayaking, relay races, handball, arts &
crafts, ‘giants, wizards, and elves,’ dodgeball,
field trips and performers! Flexible scheduling!
Session 1: (3-day week)
June 22 - June 24
Session 2
June 27 - July 1
Field trip to Kimball Farm
on 6/29
Session 3:
(no camp July 4)
July 5 - July 8
Performer at Kiwanis on 7/8
Session 4
July 11-July 15
Field trip to Lowell Spinners
game (lunch included)
Session 5:
July 18 - July 22
Inflatables on 7/20 at Kiwanis
Session 6:
July 25 - July 29
Adventure in Adventure out
at Kiwanis
Session 7:
August 1 - August 5
Field trip to Kimball Farm
(lunch included)
Session 8:
August 8 - August 12
Field trip to Southwick Zoo
SWIM LESSONS at Kiwanis
Swim lessons will be held Monday through Friday from June 27- July 22, 9am to noon.
Sign ups will take place on June 18 and 25 at Kiwanis Beach from 10am to noon.
Swim class placement and time will be determined at registration.
May 6, 2016
21
evergreen haven
garden center
Spring Spruce-Up
“Home” Improvements at Valley Tech
An Old Fuddy Duddy Painter with 30 plus years experience
Ice Dam Repair • Paint & Powerwash
• Kitchen Cabinets Refinished
Starting at $600
• Deck Refinishing
PLUMBING &
HEATING, INC.
FRimEatE
es
SAVING MARRIAGES ONE HOME AT A TIME!
Est
ed &
Licens red
Insu
Call Bill: 508-868-5226
508-497-6344
joyceplumbingandheating.com
Under blue skies on a recent sunny
day, students from the Heating,
Ventilation, Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration (HVAC & R) program
installed a new cooling unit on an
exterior wall and connected the
unit to a server room inside the
school’s Information Technology
department. Before putting finishing
touches on the installation, the
HVAC & R students recruited
Superintendent-Director Dr.
Michael Fitzpatrick to pose for
a photo with the work crew. The
Superintendent said that said the
student project provides hands-on
experience while enabling Valley
Tech to make capital improvements
at a reduced cost. “The partnership
and respect among our instructors,
students, and custodians is a
model for replication,” Fitzpatrick
commented. Seen here are
(left to right) SuperintendentDirector Fitzpatrick; HVAC &
R instructor and BVT graduate
Dan Morin; sophomore Conor
Sweet of Mendon; senior Mathew
Marchant of Northbridge; senior
Nicholas Gies of Northbridge; senior
Patrick McGowan of Northbridge;
sophomore Zachary Taylor of
Upton; and sophomore Tyler Truett
of Uxbridge. BVT photo
FACTORY BLOWOUT SALE
Saturday May 14, 2016
8:00 am -12:00 pm
PAVING STONES & RETAINING WALLS FOR:
Patios - Pool Decks - Driveways - Walkways - Walls - Planters - Steps
HURRY IN FOR THE BEST SELECTION! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED
Manufacturer’s over-runs, seconds, and discontinued colors at less than wholesale prices.
Get in Line, bring your measurements and Unilock representatives will be on hand
to help you with your product selection.
ALL SALES FINAL •FULL BUNDLE QUANTITIES ONLY •NO CONTRACTOR SALES
•FIRST COME FIRST SERVED
For safety reasons, products cannot be removed on the day of sale.
35 Commerce Drive
Uxbridge, MA 01569
508-278-4536
1-800-UNILOCK
Giatas Landscaping Inc.
800-839-2129
www.giataslandscaping.com
|
unilock.com
Ask us about free
estimates for your
roofing, siding,
windows, and gutters.
Since 1984
The Art of Fine Landscaping
• Spring Cleanups
• Patios / Walkways
• Planting / Design
• Tree Work
• Brush Removal
• Ornamental Tree Pruning and Shaping
22
Fully Insured
MAHIC #126805
UMASS Green School Certified
ICPI Certified
MACSL#103764
MA Cons. Supr. Lic. #90376
*Pricing applies to standard size door only.
May 6, 2016
Spring Spruce-Up
Daniels
Farmstead
Wildflower Walk
and Plant Sale
The Daniels Farmstead, 286 Mendon St.,
Blackstone will host a wildflower walk led
by naturalist Kathy Baron on Sunday, May
22 at 11 a.m. Meet the floral residents that
bring the season to life. Starflowers, violets
and, with a little luck, pink lady slippers
will welcome all.
Back at the Farmstead select from
geraniums, petunias, herb and vegetable
seedlings, heirloom tomato plants and
other annuals and perennials. Vendors are
welcome. Please visit DanielsFarmstead.
org for information. Gardeners interested
in swapping plants may do so on a one for
one basis. Offerings must be identified.
The grill will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2
p.m. and home baked items will be on sale.
For further information contact Justine @
southwickszoo.com or 508-726-2042
Quality Lawn & Landscaping
Services at competitive Prices!
Competitors
Coupons
Accepted
• Lawn Mowing & Maintenance
• Lawn Fertilization Programs
Call for
• Spring/ Fall Cleanups
a Free
• De-thatching
• Lawn Aeration
Consultation!
• Mulching
• Walkways
Fully Insured
• Fire Pits
• Shrub Pruning
774.573.3162
www.shadesofgreenma.com
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE
Do it...Naturally! Get out and try our:
• FARM RICH COMPOSTED COW MANURE
• TOP SOIL FOR GARDENS & LAWNS
We Are
Now Selling
Raw Milk
& Eggs
Call Pete Hawkes at
PWH FARMS
Greener Acres
Mendon • 508-473-9842
Prompt, Courteous Service
to the Metrowest Area for over 35 years!
LANDSCAPE MATERIALS
Great Products, Service & Prices! WE DELIVER
Four varieties of mulch: Hemlock, Pine, Blend & Black Screened Loam,
Playground Mulch, Wood Chips, Specialty Stone, Gravel, Sand and more
508-435-5376
MCINTYRELOAM.COM
Monday thru Friday 7:30am-4:30pm | Saturday 7:00am-12:00pm | 117 Wood Street, Hopkinton
• INSPECTION CAMERA
• HIGH-PRESSURE JETTING
508-883-9000
“Honest & Reliable Service”
Blackstone • MA
ADCseptic.com
Are You in the Home Improvement Industry?
Your ad belongs here! Reach 20,000 addresses in your marketplace.
May 6, 2016
23
Spring Spruce-Up
John Anthony’s Landscaping
Residential / Commercial • All Phases of Landscaping
• Weekly Mowing
• De-Thatching
• Spring & Fall Cleanups
• Fertilizer
• Lawn Repair
• Edging & Mulching
• Aeration
• Slice Seeding
• Planting
Mowing starting at $35
1 FREE MOWING
with referral of new customer
508-234-1503
JALlandscaping@aol.com
24 hour response to all inquiries
BEST MULCH PRICES AROUND
Second Nature Landscape
INC.
UPTON, MA
Your first choice in landscaping needs…
• Patios and Walls
• Parking Lot Clean-Ups
• Weekly Property Maintenance
• Plant Design and Installations
• Fertilization Programs
• Pruning & Trimming
For more information, call or email:
• Mulch Installations
Phone: (508) 478-3201
• Tick Control & More!
Email: SECONDNATURELS@CHARTER.NET
Website:
SECONDNATURELANDSCAPE.BIZ
Residential - Commercial - Fully Insured - Free Estimates
DRIVEWAYS SEALED PROFESSIONALLY
MULCH • PAVERS
DECORATIVE STONE • LOAM
SEALCOATING & REPAIRS
Call for Competitive Pricing!
508-634-3300
www.cookfpi.com
252 Milford St,
Rte 140, Upton
SINCE 1994
Alfred
Simoneau
Electric
LET US MEET YOUR
SEPTIC TANK NEEDS!
ian
• Roof De-Icing Systems
• Generators
• Service Upgrades
• Lighting Design
• Basement Renovations
• Smoke Detectors
508-435-3381
jcparmenterhopkinton.com
J.C. Parmenter, Inc.
Hopkinton
Al Simoneau
MA License #35070 E
M
NO JOB
TOO SMALL
508-234-NOVA (6682)
• Maintenance
• Title V Inspections
• Installations
& Repairs
• Backhoe & Dozer
Services
• Professional
Service
24 Hr
Emergency
Service
blish
Esta 2 ed
19 0
$10
OFF
On Your Next
Septic Tank Cleaning
when payment is made
same day as service.
Tasteful Way to Support
Bay State Trail Riders
Bay State Trail Riders Association,
Inc. (BSTRA) is pleased to announce
that anyone can tastefully support
trail projects in the community by
participating in their online Shop &
Support Program – Steaks for Good
from Omaha Steaks – going on now to
raise money for its 2016 trail projects.
Just go to SteaksforGood.com/bstra
and click on the Start Shopping bar.
Then select the Bay State Trail Riders
Association, Inc. logo from the list
of logos and make your purchase
selections.
Check out the wide selection of foods
they offer – it’s not just steaks – it’s
so much more! Your purchase is sent
directly to your home or the address
of your choice and will raise money
for BSTRA to complete two local trail
projects scheduled for 2016.
One project is the building of a new
multi-user trail in the Douglas State
Forest -- a joint effort by BSTRA,
Department of Conservation &
Recreation (DCR), and the Blackstone
Valley Chapter of NEMBA. The new
trail connects SW Main Street, Douglas,
to an existing trail that connects to the
Southern New England Trunkline Trail
(SNETT). The new connector trail has
already been flagged by BSTRA, DCR
and NEMBA, working together to find
the best route. Trail clearing will begin
on April 23 starting at 8:30 a.m. at 107
Wallum Lake Rd., Douglas and continue
until 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. Residents
can volunteer by contacting bstra@
charter.net.
The second project is located in
Mendon and involves improvements to
the Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation
Area trails. This area and abutting
conservation properties offer 13 miles of
trail open to a variety of users including
hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers
and other non-motorized users who use
them for outdoor recreation and fitness.
BSTRA has been approved for a grant
from the Recreational Trails Program
administered by the Department of
Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to
improve .7 of a mile of trail where work
is needed. Under the terms of the grant,
BSTRA must raise 20 percent of the total
cost of the project as a match.
For additional ways to support
BSTRA, including their Amazon.com
Shop & Support Program, visit BSTRA.
org Home Improvement Jobs by
Local College Student
Call today for a free no obligation estimate!
508-395-0007 • Domenique.Silvestri@yahoo.com
Domenique Silvestri is an Upton 2015
BVT graduate and currently a freshman
at UMass Boston studying business and
marketing.
To gain intense hands-on experience
in her field while also helping to pay
for college expenses, Domenique has
taken on a position as a branch manager for a company called Collegiate
Entrepreneurs. This upcoming
summer, she will be running a branch
throughout the Blackstone Valley that
24
provides services in both interior and
exterior painting, power washing,
deck staining, and driveway sealing.
At this time, Domenique is looking
to fill her summer production
schedule. She carries full liability
insurance and workman’s compensation insurance.
All painting services are backed
with a warranty, and all painters are
professionally trained by SherwinWilliams.
Ironstone_inc@verizon.net
May 6, 2016
Spring Spruce-Up
THINK GLOBALLY ACT LOCALLY
ByAnne Mazar
Zika Virus and Annoying Mosquitoes
The grass is green, songbirds have
arrived and soon the mosquitoes will
be joining us at our outdoor gatherings.
There’s been a big buzz about the Zika
virus, however, the species of mosquito
that carries the Zika virus has not been
found in the US. It has been found in of
Africa, Asia, Central and South America
and there are concerns that with our
warming planet, the mosquito could
eventually breed in the US.
According to an April 2016 update
from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, there have been zero cases of
the Zika acquired from mosquitoes in the
US. There have been 388 cases in the US
of travel-related Zika. Most of the people
picked up the virus while traveling to
other countries. The others include eight
people who acquired the virus through
sexual transmission and 33 women who
passed the virus on to their fetuses during
pregnancy or babies at delivery. The two
confirmed cases in Massachusetts were in
individuals who traveled to infected areas
outside of the US.
Massachusetts does have mosquitoes
that carry the West Nile Virus (WNV) and
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The
state Department of Public Health (DPH)
2015 MA Arbovirus Surveillance and
Response Plan states that WNV and EEE
are rare here, but can be serious to human
health.
The 2015 DPH report continues, “…
Municipalities are encouraged to consider
these threats, identify contributing
issues in their communities, and include
mitigation activities as part of sustainable
community development (e.g. source
reduction, low-impact development)…
…Routine precautions should include:
avoiding outdoor activity during times of
day with increased mosquito activity;
use of mosquito repellents… …
and use of clothing to reduce
mosquito access to skin. These
personal protective measures
form the basis of all risk
reduction; the need
to utilize them
is not reduced by any
mosquito control activities,
including aerial spraying.”
Mass Audubon supports
the DPH recommendations of
scientifically based mosquitoborne disease management,
promoting a focus on prevention,
public education and the judicious
use of pesticide spraying only in areas
where EEE and WNV mosquitoes have
been identified.
Unfortunately, some of the state mosquito
control projects use broad-based pesticide
spraying for nuisance control. Overuse of
pesticides may create mosquito generations
that become pesticide-resistant, since
mosquitoes have a short life cycle and high
reproductive rates.
Mass Audubon concerns with pesticide
applications and wetland ditching or
draining is that they can harm or kill
mosquito predators and beneficial
creatures, such as bees, butterflies,
dragonflies, frogs and fish. It can also
degrade natural wetland areas and water
quality.
What can you do? A lot! WNV
mosquitoes breed in small isolated areas
of standing water, such as in tires, clogged
gutters or dirty bird baths. Mosquitoes can
grow in a week’s time, so dump standing
water, clean gutters and fill birdbaths with
fresh water weekly. Avoid being out at dusk
and dawn when mosquitoes are active.
Put screens in your windows. Use
insect repellant. An oscillating
fan, blowing on where
you and your guests are
sitting outside, can keep
mosquitoes away too.
Mosquitoes hate fans.
Consumer Reports, an
independent organization
that rates products, evaluated
milder insect repellants and found some
that outperformed repellants with DEET and
offered tick protection too. Visit http://www.
consumerreports.org/cro/health/beautypersonal-care/insect-repellent/insectrepellent-ratings/ratings-overview.htm
For broader control there are organic
services that will spray for ticks and
mosquitoes. There are products with
botanical extracts, such as cedar or garlic
that you could apply to your yard. Mosquito
magnet devices can be effective. Avoid
“bug-zappers,” since they do not kill many
mosquitoes, but do kill beneficial insects.
Instead, invite mosquito-eaters like birds,
bats and dragonflies to your party with bird
and bat houses and native plantings.
Mosquito drawings by Theresa-Gorman
Kahler, www.cricketseye.com
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No Job Too Small!
• Handyman Services
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www.ethomemaintenance.com
Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford Announces GGC Grown Annual Plant Sale
The Greenleaf Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale
on Saturday, May 21 at Louisa Lake, Dilla St, Milford from 8
a.m. to 12 noon. As spring brings out the plants in members’
gardens, they dig, divide, make cuttings and will offer several
hundred locally grown plants with the best quality at moderate
prices. Many are heirlooms and have a story behind them. Elaine
McNanna, a longtime GGC gardener says that many memories
are associated with the plants she grows but she likes to divide
them to keep them growing. Plants purchased at the plant sale
come from Milford gardens and will grow well in the area. The
sale features perennials- classics such as bleeding heart, iris,
hostas, daylilies and hellebores as well as many other varieties.
In addition, annuals, herbs, succulents and vegetable plants will
be offered. Canna plants and bulbs will be sold and container
gardens for the small deck or yard will be available.
The Garden Gallery will have special garden related itemsvases, tools, books, containers, accessories and garden ornaments.
Enjoy refreshments as you browse.
The sale provides funds for the GGC Garden Therapy and
Junior Garden Programs, civic beautification and the scholarship
offered each year to a Milford resident.
The Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford is a member of the
National Garden clubs, Inc. and the Garden Club Federation of
MA, Inc.
For information on the plant sale, call Chairperson Margaret
Thompson at 508-473-9548.
MY THREE SONS LAWN CARE
Small Town Courteous Service
Shrub Trimming, Planting and Removal • Mowing • Mulching
De-thatching • Seasonal Clean-ups • Small Tree Pruning and Removal
Lawn Patch Work • Decorative/Colored Stones • Paper-less Billing
JOE SIMONETTA - 1 Sturdley Rd, Upton, MA 01568
: 508-523-0583 EMAIL: mythreesonslawncare@verizon.net
CELL
May 6, 2016
25
School News
Three Nipmuc Students are
DECA Finalists
Five Residents Honored at
Arbor Day Ceremony
By Melissa Orff
Staff Reporter
In what has become an honored
tradition, the Miscoe Hill and Clough
Elementary Schools celebrated Arbor
Day on April 29, this year dedicating
trees in the memories of five men and
women who were known and loved by
members of the Mendon Upton Regional
School District family.
Arbor Day has been celebrated in
Mendon since 1989, when the late Orise
Tetreault requested that the schools have
a program similar to the one held at
Albeeville School on Millville St., Mendon
many years ago. As a result of the Arbor
Day program, there have been well over
100 trees planted at the schools and
throughout the town to beautify Mendon
and honor the memory of someone who
has passed or recognize someone who
makes a difference in other’s lives.
The program began with a parade of
Clough students, escorted by Miscoe
Hill Student Council Members, acting
as flag bearers while processing into the
gymnasium to music provided by the
Eighth Grade Band led by Band Director
Nick LaPete.
Clough Principal Janice Gallagher
welcomed the audience and thanked those
involved in organizing the Arbor Day
celebration. Students from the Miscoe
Hill Student Council gave narrations of
the history and tradition of Arbor Day,
and read poems about trees, including
ones that they had written themselves
specifically for the celebration.
This year, Arbor Day trees are being
planted in the memories of five individuals
who touched the lives of many in the
towns of Mendon and Upton.
Brenda Crossman of Mendon was
described as a devoted wife and mother,
frequent volunteer, and a person
possessing an open mind and heart. “The
legacy that Brenda left to all who were
lucky enough to know her is this – be kind
to everyone, accept people for who they
are, and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud,”
said Gallagher, who read the dedication.
Gallagher also read the dedication for
Kraig Mitchell Coffin, speaking of his
passion for racecar driving and music,
and his ability to put a smile on anyone’s
face. “He is still missed by his family and
friends, but the wonderful memories of his
life is what they remember most,” she said.
“He was a wonderful young man that can
now rest in peace.”
Miscoe Hill Student Council members
had the honor of reading the dedications
for the next three loved ones.
Thomas Bertrand was described as a
loving son, brother, husband, grandson,
uncle, and nephew. He attended the
Two of the five trees that will be
Mendon Upton Schools through Miscoe
planted in the memories of Brenda
Hill, and was a graduate of Holy Name
Crossman, Kraig Mitchell Coffin,
High School and Assumption College.
Thomas Bertrand, William Sadler,
“With his infectious smile, intelligence,
and Michael Scanlon.
and charming personality, Tom had many
friends from around the world…he is
truly missed by all who knew him,” read
the dedication.
Bertrand’s grandfather, William Sadler,
passed away in December after a “welllived life.” Sadler, a life-long resident of
Upton, was described as a loving husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
and uncle. He was a United States Army
veteran and was well known for his
work ethic and exemplary service to
his hometown including serving on the
Cemetery Commission for 53 years.
“Truly, Bill had a life well-lived,” read the
dedication.
The final dedication was for Michael
Scanlon, a former volunteer for the Miscoe
Hill Student Council along with his wife,
Nancy. Scanlon was described as a family
man; compared to the tree much like the
one that they would plant in his memory.
“Michael was the trunk; he was strong,
sturdy, unwavering,” read the dedication.
“Family was everything to him.”
The ceremony ended with the student
flag-bearers processing out of the
Fourth graders Ava Lozeau (front) and
gymnasium to the band playing America
Chloe Ball are flag bearers at the April
the Beautiful.
29 annual Arbor Day Celebration.
SenseAbility Gym and
Hannaford Fundraising Effort
HOPEDALE- SenseAbility Gym, a nonprofit committed to
serving the special needs community, has been selected as a
beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program
for the month of May.
For every blue Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag with the
good karma messaging purchased at the 7 Medway Rd.,
Milford, Hannaford, SenseAbility Gym will receive a $1
donation in order to help fulfill its mission of providing
parent/child led sensory gym for families in the greater
Hopedale area.
SenseAbility Gym has a goal of raising $150 during May as
a beneficiary of the program, which is equivalent to 150 bags
bought in support of the cause. SenseAbility Gym plans to
use the projected funds to support its mission of providing a
safe, fun and judgement free space for children with special
needs to play and accommodate their sensory needs.
Learn more about SenseAbility Gym at 508-381-1231 or
SensabilityGym.com.
For more information on the Hannaford Helps Reusable
Bag Program, visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com or
facebook.com/hhbagprogram.
Shop Local
Buy Local
26
Tremblay Honored by
Blackstone Valley Education
Foundation
The Superintendent of Milford
Public Schools Dr. Robert A.
Tremblay was recently selected by
the Blackstone Valley Education
Foundation to receive an award at
their annual Business and Education
Forum for his role in helping the
Foundation accomplish their mission
of collaborating with schools and
businesses to help prepare the future
workforce for the Valley.
Milford
This is the premier event in the
Superintendent of
Blackstone Valley each year that
Schools, Dr. Robert A.
brings senior level administrators,
Tremblay
guidance counselors, and
teachers from the eleven-member
school districts together with local business leaders and
state legislators. This year’s theme was Technology in the
Workplace.
According to Paul Lynskey, Executive Director of BVEF, Dr.
Tremblay’s award specifically addresses that he is a motivator
of students and educators. “He is endlessly encouraging his
students, teachers, and administrators to be actively involved
with our programs that extend the classroom learning
experience into the community. This ‘outside the school’
experience is very important to him,” he said.
28 Qualify for International
Competition
By Melissa Orff
Staff Reporter
Over two-dozen Nipmuc Regional High School
students had the chance to test out their business
savvy along with over 18,000 other students
from around the globe at the 70th Annual DECA
International Career Development Conference in
Nashville, Tenn.
DECA, or Distributive Education Club of
America, is a marketing organization for high
school students with the goal of preparing
“emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in
marketing, finance, hospitality and management in
high schools and colleges around the globe.”
Students compete in a number of different
categories such as entrepreneurship, advertising,
product development, and fashion merchandising.
The students compete at the regional then at
state level, and this year of the 165 DECA students
at Nipmuc, 28 of them qualified for spots at the
prestigious international conference where they
would compete against “the best of the best” from
schools in the United States, China, Germany,
Canada, Guam, and Mexico.
“It’s a great experience for the kids,” said Business
Teacher Gary Perras who advises the Nipmuc
DECA program along with teacher Ryan Cody. “It
allows them to meet kids from all over the country
and all over the world and see how successful their
projects can be in an international setting,” he said.
And not only did a record number of Nipmuc
students qualify for the international competition
held on April 23-27, but three, all seniors—Shane
Dougherty, Peter Schiloski and Christopher Bechara
–were chosen as finalists, finishing in the top 20 out
of 250 in their categories.
Shane and Peter chose to use their DECA
project as a chance to share their time and
knowledge by giving lessons on entrepreneurship
to underprivileged kids. Over two days, the young
men worked with youngsters at the Guild of St.
Agnes in Worcester, a non-profit childcare agency.
With the aim of developing an understanding of
entrepreneurship, they played games teaching how
creating ideas, branding, and advertising may lead
to opening a business.
Shane and Peter said that they set out to make
sure their project had meaning as well as substance.
“We knew that those kids need advantages to help
them to get out of the situations that they are living
in,” said Shane about choosing the Guild of St.
Agnes.
Peter said the time spent with the students has
sparked something within him and Shane that they
hope will persist. “It really inspired us to continue to
give back and not to just stop here,” he said.
Chris’ project focused on the projected expansion
of his own local business “One Man, Two Hands
Landscaping.”
“It was about the steps I am planning to take in
the next three to five years to grow my business,”
said Chris about his DECA project.
And upon hearing that he was chosen as a
finalist? “It was a really cool feeling; to hear your
name being called,” said Chris.
Having three students chosen as finalists was an
affirmation of the commitment they have made to
their projects according to Perras. “The students
worked so hard,” he said. “This is about the kids;
and it was great knowing that they were receiving
recognition for their hard work.”
The students who qualified for the international
conference were Hannah Barrows, Christopher
Bechara, Matthew Benoit, Jaclyn Bianchi,
MacKenzie Callahan, Samantha Capalucci,
Timothy Carey, Alyssa Cicconi, Abigail Colombo,
John Dacey, Shane Dougherty, Kristina Dubois,
Jack Ernst, William Gavin, Alison Goddard, Sean
Kelleher, Thomas Keville, Kiley Larocque, Brandon
Lefebvre, Meaghan MacKay, Kathyrn McManus,
Paige Murphy, Ryan Nelson, Angelica Puchovsky,
Katie Sauer, Peter Schiloski, Abigail Sterling, and
Joria Todd.
May 6, 2016
School News
Blackstone Valley Tech Commendation List
Superintendent Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick has released the following Commendation List for the second trimester of the 2015-2016 academic school year at Blackstone Valley Regional
Vocational Technical High School. Students are listed alphabetically by last name and are grouped according to grade and hometown.
SENIORS (Class of 2016)
Mendon
Michael Altavilla, Electronics; Connor
Belland, Drafting; Julie Cavanaugh,
Construction Technology; Matthew
Gormley, Culinary Arts; Peter Pontzer,
Information Technology; Jonathan Siryk,
Electronics.
Upton
Daniel Brochu, Construction Technology;
Autumn Campbell, Multimedia
Communications; Theodore Floyd,
Electronics; Michael Jango, Manufacturing
Technology; Natasha Leveille, Health
Services; Andrea Matellian, Multimedia
Communications; Brett Nasuti,
Manufacturing Technology; Aidan Olson,
Drafting; Logan Philbrick, Culinary Arts;
Spencer Rogers, Drafting; Tyler Smith,
Electronics; Edward Taylor, Multimedia
Communications.
JUNIORS (Class of 2017)
Mendon
Sara Burnell, Health Services; Kristina
Campbell, Cosmetology; Amanda
Godowski, Painting & Design Technologies;
Sarah Hanscom, Drafting; Jonathan Lynch,
Electronics; Abigail Maron, Construction
Technology; Max Mirageas, Electronics;
Thomas Morin, Manufacturing Technology;
Rutger Murphy, Manufacturing
Birthday Wishes
-Jared Heather, a seventh grader at Miscoe
Hill School and Mendon resident, is
collected donations for Birthday Wishes,
an organization that makes a difference
in the lives of homeless children and their
families by making sure that every child
can celebrate their birthday. Last year,
Jared helped Birthday Wishes by making
Birthday Boxes with the help of donations
from family and friends. These boxes
included everything needed for a birthday
party (wrapping paper, toys, cake mix,
frosting, napkins, forks, etc). Birthday
Wishes delivered these boxes to families
living in shelters so their children could
have the joy of a birthday party.
She is again collecting items for
the charity and asks that donations of
wrapping paper, themed plates and
napkins, bright colored streamers, cake
mixes and canned frosting- vanilla,
chocolate or confetti, plus new toys be
dropped off in collection boxes at Clough
Elementary, Miscoe Hill and the Taft
Public Library now through May 27.
Worcester Academy Honor
Roll and Headmaster’s List
The Worcester Academy Upper School
proudly announces its First Semester
Honor Roll and Headmaster’s List for
the 2015-2016 School Year. Among the
students are these local residents:
Headmaster’s List
Rachel Diodati of Mendon, Grade 10
Zachary Stolberg of Mendon, Grade 9
Honor Roll
Gabrielle Diodati of Mendon, Grade 11
Meagan Miranda of Mendon, Grade 9
Ainslei Nelsen-McMichael of Milford,
Grade 10
Maximillian Sadlier of Upton, Grade 12
Zachary Welch of Upton, Grade 9
May 6, 2016
Technology; Samuel O’Connor, Culinary
Arts; Veronica Tenerowicz, Culinary Arts;
Nicole Wojnowski, Painting & Design
Technologies.
Upton
Patrick Adler, HVAC & R; Alyssa Andrade,
Cosmetology; Katie Briggs, Business
Technology;
Skyler Colwell, Drafting; Bridgette
Donelan, Multimedia Communications;
Julia Graves, Culinary
Arts; Sophia Harris, Health Services; Kevin
Konieczny, Manufacturing Technology;
Bailey Martin,
Auto Technology; Joseph Napolitano,
Electronics; Allison Perry, Construction
Technology;
Gregory Renk, Manufacturing Technology;
Alexis Sherwin, Cosmetology; Anna Shobe,
Multimedia Communications; Emma
Tomas, Health Services; Casie Uhlman,
Culinary Arts;
Timothy Welch, Manufacturing
Technology.
Communications; Matthew Forget,
Electrical; Haleigh MacKinnon, Health
Services; Samuel Niro, Manufacturing
Technology; Jake Reding, Electronics;
Silvana Reid, Manufacturing Technology;
Timothy Snow, Drafting.
Upton
Matthew Bern, Engineering; Maria Buono,
Culinary Arts; Josephine Burlingame,
Health Services; Nathan Charron,
Electronics; Noah Charron, Multimedia
Communications; Douglas Cook,
Electronics; Brian Dickey, Construction
Technology; Catherine Kessler, Multimedia
Communications; Nichole Leveille,
Electronics; Justin McNamara, Information
Technology; Breanna Merrigan,
Engineering; Julia Morais, Cosmetology;
John Morris, Electronics; Patrick Murphy,
Drafting; Gianna Picard, Dental Assisting;
Jake Poirier, Drafting; Viviana Sebastiano,
Culinary Arts; Juliet Silvestri, Culinary Arts;
Elizabeth Stallcup, Culinary Arts; Zachary
Taylor, HVAC & R.
SOPHOMORES (Class of 2018)
Mendon
Jared Aicardi, Multimedia
Communications; Juliet Allegrezza,
Engineering; Michael Aurelio, Multimedia
Communications; Eliza Clark, Business
Technology; Jack Duncan, Multimedia
FRESHMEN (Class of 2019)
Mendon
Madeleine Asacker, Culinary Arts;
Christopher Aurelio, Multimedia
Communications; MacKenzie Burke,
Culinary Arts; Taylor Burroughs,
Construction Technology; Conner
Christensen, Engineering; Zachary
Comer, Engineering; Jacqueline DiCecco,
Culinary Arts; Kevin Healy, Electronics;
Mary Kennedy, Engineering; Christopher
Machione, Construction Technology;
Jessica McKenzie, Culinary Arts; Stephen
Morelli, Auto Technology; Hayleigh
O’Connor, Drafting; Nicolas Quinn,
Electronics; Zachary Rivernider, Electronics;
Madison Tinio, Construction Technology;
Sebastian Vazquez, Electronics; Benjamin
Watson, Electrical.
Upton
Jordyn Amero, Plumbing; Adele Brochu,
Construction Technology; Luke Carey,
Drafting; Ryan Conrad, Health Services;
Joseph Flanagan, Drafting; Maia Giglio,
Multimedia Communications; Olivia
Harris, Business Technology; Penelope
Hebert, Painting & Design Technologies;
Katie Houskeeper, Electronics; Mackenzie
LeClaire, Multimedia Communications;
Zachary Leveille, Electronics; Aidan
Luetkemeyer, Auto Technology; Maxwell
Lynnworth, Multimedia Communications;
Jacob Martin, Auto Technology; Logan
May, Manufacturing Technology; Kairat
O’Toole, Electronics; Patrick Ober,
Manufacturing Technology; Logan Quinn,
Manufacturing Technology; Julia Sexton,
Culinary Arts; Adam Shobe, HVAC & R;
Madison Woloski, Electrical.
Mount Saint Charles
Academy’s May Entrance
Exam
Mount Saint Charles Academy, 800 Logee
St.,Woonsocket, will hold its May Entrance Exam on
Saturday, May 7 at 8:15 a.m. at the school. Qualified
students entering grades six through nine are invited
to take the test as well as those transferring into grade
ten. Students interested in transferring into grade eleven
must contact the Admissions Office. In the fall of 2015,
Mount Saint Charles welcomed the addition of grade six
to the already well-established seventh through twelfth
grade structure.
To take the exam, there is a $30 application fee. For
more information and to download the registration
form, visit www.mountsaintcharles.org/exam or contact
Joseph O’Neill, Director of Admissions, at 401-769-0310
x137 or admissions@staff.mountsaintcharles.org. Walkins are also welcome. Tours are available through the Admissions Office in
addition to some shadow opportunities. Admissions
applications are processed on a rolling basis throughout
the summer. Prospective Mount parents can contact the
Admissions Office for more details.
Our Lady of the Valley
Honor Roll
Our Lady of the Valley School in Uxbridge
announces the names of local students
named to the 2015/16 Third Quarter
Honor Roll.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL
High Honors
Grade 6 Avery Consigli - Mendon
Grade 5 Olaf Minnich – Mendon and
Michael Younes - Mendon
Grade 4 Jackson Richie – Upton
DENTAL IMPLANTOLOGY
Honors
Grade 7 Maria Trettel - Milford
Grade 6 John Newman – Milford and
Matthew Rizoli - Hopedale
Grade 5 Mark Younes - Mendon
Grade 4 Michael Rizoli - Hopedale
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dental crown or bridge. With implants, you can talk,
eat and laugh like you did with your natural teeth."
113 Water Street, Milford, MA 01757
172 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532
27
School News
School Committee
Discusses Pros/Cons of
Later Start Times
By Melissa Orff
Staff Reporter
The Mendon Upton Regional School Committee will
be forming a task force to review school start times for
the district in order to weigh the pros and cons of a later
start time especially at the high school level.
The topic is under discussion in school districts across
the state and nationally, according to Superintendent
of Schools Dr. Joseph Maruszczak, especially since an
August report came out from the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that lack of sleep
among adolescents has become a “public health crisis.”
During the April 25 School Committee Meeting,
Maruszczak opened the topic up for discussion by
reviewing the CDC’s findings which include the fact that
two-thirds of adolescents are getting less than 8 hours of
sleep each night.
Some of the obvious consequences of sleep
deprivation in adolescents include difficulty paying
attention in class, learning deficits, anxiety and
depression, obesity, and an increase risk of motor vehicle
crashes.
Maruszczak told the Committee that the reports state
that teenagers should be getting at least 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours
of sleep per night and that there are recommendations
that school districts start their middle and high schools
no earlier than 8:30 a.m., taking into account travel time.
In the Mendon Upton Regional School District,
Clough and Memorial Elementary School begin at 9:15
a.m., Miscoe Hill School starts at 8:25 a.m., and Nipmuc
Regional High School starts at 7:25 a.m. “Because some
of our bus routes are 45-60 minutes long, that could
mean some of our high school students are getting on
the bus at 6:30 a.m.,” said Maruszczak.
Changing start times could present a challenge,
however, stated Maruszczak during the presentation.
Increased bussing costs, child care arrangements for
families, and contractual obligations could be just some
of the issues the district would face if they wanted to
change school hours.
Maruszczak said many districts across the state
have already begun looking at the benefits and costs
of pushing up school start times and that Ashland
Public Schools have recently decided to make a change
to their start times for the 2017/2018 school year. Yet
Maruszczak also told the Committee that there were
other districts, such as Malden, who went through this
exercise to find that the majority were content with the
school hours.
“The essential question is, should the district establish
a study committee to see what the stakeholders want,”
said Maruszczak.
At the high school, the question was debated at a
recent Mock Town Meeting, when students were asked
if they would support changing the start time for high
school to 9:15 a.m.
Nipmuc Principal John Clements said that he was
surprised by the reluctance the students showed towards
the change. “They value their after school time,” he said.
An earlier end to the day means students have ample
time for sports, work, and study, which would be pushed
back if the day started later.
Students also voiced that they “would just go to bed
later” if they knew they could get up later, a fact that
Committee Member Leigh Martin disputed. “Science
does not support that,” she said. “Studies show that it
could actually double the amount of students getting at
least eight hours of sleep per night.”
“When you look at the science of [delaying start
times], it is incontrovertible; it’s mostly a logistics issue,”
said Martin.
When asked his opinion, Clements stated that
pushing the start time until 8:15 a.m. for the high school
could “make a considerable difference” for high school
students that are on average getting five hours of sleep
per night. He added,“Finding that middle ground to get
our kids a little more sleep would do a world of good.”
The School Committee will discuss the matter further
at a future Committee Meeting.
28
Enjoying Time Together, Mendon Senior Citizens and Students
Share Some Meals
By Melissa Orff
Staff Reporter
Mendon senior citizens had the chance to share a
meal, swap stories, and meet some new friends as several
schools in the Mendon Upton Regional School District
hosted events in their honor during the month of April.
On April 8, Mendon seniors were invited to the Miscoe
Hill School for a luncheon hosted by 14 eighth-graders
from the Rachel’s Challenge Club. Miscoe’s Rachel’s
Challenge Club is an organization that promotes caring
and compassion and encourages students to start a “chain
reaction” of kindness.
This was the second inter-generational luncheon that
Miscoe had hosted this school year, and it was due to
the feedback from the event in November that prompted
them to reach out to the Mendon seniors this spring.
“The last luncheon, which was held for the Upton
senior citizens, was so successful that we wanted to put
on a luncheon for the Mendon seniors as well,” said
Miscoe School Adjustment Counselor Jennifer Grant.
Grant said that with a little help from the Guidance
Department and Upton resident and volunteer June
Connors, the students took charge of planning and
shopping for the meal, and made the place cards for the
tables to welcome the seniors to their school.
After serving the meal to the seniors, the students
could be seen chatting with their special guests and
generally ensuring that they were enjoying their day.
“It is such a nice sense of community seeing them
together,” said Grant about the inter-generational events.
“We want our students to see the value in doing for
others, the value of being a part of a community,” she
said.
At Clough Elementary School, Mendon seniors were
also invited to a meal in their honor at the 2nd annual
Senior Breakfast on April 13. Students in the 3rd grade
acted as greeters, servers, and entertainers for the 25
seniors who were special guests for the breakfast.
The students, with the help of their Specialists
Teachers, worked for weeks preparing for the event,
making centerpieces and placemats to decorate the
cafeteria.
After the breakfast, the third-graders read a special
poem, worked on crossword puzzles, and took pictures
with their new friends to put in a homemade frame for
them to take home as tokens of remembrance of the day.
“This fits right in with everything we are trying
to reach the kids about being ‘Kind, Caring, and
Respectful’,” said Clough Physical Education Teacher Dan
Hayes about the 2nd annual event. “We want them to see
how being kind can make an impact on someone,” he
said.
Mendon resident and senior citizen Lynda Chace was
at the event for the second year, coming back because
she had enjoyed it so much the year before. “This is such
Eighth-grade students in the Rachel’s Challenge Club at the
Miscoe Hill School host a luncheon for senior citizens in Mendon
on April 8.
Third-grade Clough student Izzy Nicholson serves breakfast to
Mendon senior Lynda Chace during their 2nd Annual Senior
Breakfast on April 13.
a wonderful event; I love spending time with the kids,” said
Chace.
Chace said that the inter-generational events are a benefit
for both the students and the seniors alike. “The kids seem to
enjoy it and we enjoy it too,” she said.
That was a sentiment that Mendon Senior Center Director
Amy Kent seconded. “We see how much the seniors look
forward to these intergenerational programs,” she said. “It is
so wonderful that our schools are encouraging their students
to reach out to Mendon Upton seniors in such a positive way;
it fosters a close sense of community.”
Local BVT Students Help Millville Celebration
The town of Millville is celebrating its centennial with a little help Blackstone Valley Tech students. In addition to building
floats for Millville’s centennial parade, the students recently designed and constructed a commemorative time capsule
marking the town’s milestone. Seen here from left to right are: Valley Tech School Committee member Gerald M. Finn of
Millville; Construction Technology seniors Julie Cavanaugh of Mendon, Brianna Dubois of Blackstone, and Olivia Zagame of
Bellingham; Vocational Curriculum Coordinator Thomas Belland of Mendon. BVT photo
May 6, 2016
School News
School Highlights
Mendon-Upton Regional
Compiled by Melissa Orff
CLOUGH: National Library Week was held
April 11-15 with Librarian Lara Trimble
offering fun activities including dressing
up every day as a different character from a
book and students were guessing the name
of the character and the book. Students also
took part in D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything
And Read) and a demonstration by Bring
Your Own Improv, an interactive comedy
show from Warwick, R.I. Congratulations
go to Sam Tremblay, Isabelle Nicholson,
Vinnie Geremia, Calliope Vallee, Kyle
Giglio, Isabella Allen and Sienna Usher for
winning the National Library Week Book
Raffle.
Clough’s Spring Book Fair will be held
the week of May 23-27 and Specialist Night
will be held on May 26 from 6-7:30 p.m.
The following are the Field Trips and
Activities planned at Clough; Pre-K visits
Southwick Zoo on May 6, Grade 1 visits
Mechanics Hall on May 12, Grade 2 attends
a Habitat Exploration on May 20 at Clough,
Grade 4 attends a cultural arts program at
Clough on Biomes on May 25, Grade 3 is
going to Plimoth Plantation on May 25 and
a Historical Trolley Ride through Mendon
on May 27, and Grade 4 visits the Museum
of Science on May 31.
Other May activities include the Clough
PTO special luncheon for Clough staff on
May 3 for Teacher Appreciation Week, a
visit by BVT Dental students to the first
grade on May 18, a Pen Pal luncheon for
Mendon Seniors and fourth graders on
May 18 and the Move-Up Day for fourth
graders on May 20 when they visit Miscoe
Hill School. Also, Clough will be expanding
their school garden with an addition of two
new herb beds.
Math MCAS will be administered to
third graders on May 10 and May 12, and to
fourth graders on May 16 and 17.
Clough’s Memorial Day concert will
be held on Monday, May 23. Veterans
are invited to attend, as are community
members. To help alleviate parking issues,
there will be two performances of the same
program, one at 10 a.m. for the parent of
pre-school through second graders and
the other at 2 p.m. for parents of third and
fourth graders.
MEMORIAL: Math MCAS will be
administered to fourth graders on May 10
and 11, and to third graders on May 17 and
18.
The Memorial PTO funded a butterfly
program for students in second grade on
May 3 and 4, as part of their unit on life
cycles. Students will watch their caterpillars
go through the cycle of change to become
butterflies.
Kindergarten students enjoyed a puppet
show based on fairy tales which was funded
by the PTO on May 4.
On May 5, students in first grade shared
their science projects during the Annual
First Grade Science Fair. Students chose
topic based on their interests such as sea
life, tornadoes and weather.
On May 10 first graders will visit their
second grade to view animal projects. This
project is the culmination of a unit on
research skills completed by the students in
second grade. Second graders will also be
visiting Animal Adventures in Bolton on
May 12 for their field trip.
Parents are invited to A Special Night at
Memorial School on May 19, when students
will share their work from library, art,
physical education, music, and technology
classes. To alleviate parking congestion,
May 6, 2016
grade levels are scheduled for the following
times: Kindergarten plus Grades 1 and 3
from 4:30-6 p.m. and Grades 2 and 4 from
6-7:30 p.m.
MISCOE: Miscoe Hill’s spring sports program
has begun. Baseball and Softball games,
which begin at 3:30 p.m., are: May 9 vs
Uxbridge, May 10 vs Millis, May 12 at
Ashland, May 16 vs Hopkinton, May 17 vs
Northboro, May 19 vs Medfield, May 23 at
Grafton, May 24 at Millis, and May 26 vs
Ashland. Baseball is coached by Brendon
Rosenau and Will McInnis coaches softball.
Please join us them supporting their team
at their games.
The Miscoe Track and Field Team
coaches Meagan Pike and Heather
McCourt recognize stand out performances
from the first meet which include: Chris
Deschene in the shot put, Drew Galicki
in the discus and who came within three
seconds of a school record in the mile,
Michael Quinn in the javelin, Aidan Hayes
in the long jump, Dominic Allegrezza in the
100 and who set a new school record in the
high jump, Ben Skiba in the hurdles, Jared
Joyce in the 400, Cam Bern in the 800 and
Blake Davis in the 200. The 4x100 team of
Michael Quinn, Chris Deschene, Cam Bern
and Dominic Allegrezza had a great race,
while the 4x400 relay team of Ben Skiba,
Adam Jeronymo, Andrew Galicki and Jared
Joyce “blew the competition away.” On the
girls’ side, stand-out performances were
Grace Roberts in the shot put and discus,
Molly McCarthy in the long jump and
100m, Isabelle Frieswick in the high jump,
Lily Bigelow in the hurdles, Sophie Vincens
in the mile and 200, Lily Kerber in the 400,
and the 4x100 team of Jilian Napolitano,
Rochelle Ackerman, Hailey Solano and
Molly McCarthy had a great race. The next
meet is May 10 at Blackstone Millville at
3:30 p.m.
MCAS testing dates are: Grades 5-8
Mathematics, May 10 and 11, and Grades 5
and 8 Science and Technology/Engineering,
May 16 and 17. All makeup tests will take
place upon the student’s return to school.
Eighth Grade Dates to Remember: May
16 - Renaissance Faire, June 9 - Engineering
Day, June 11 - Semi-Formal, June 15 - Six
Flags, June 16 - Field Day, June 21 (or last
day of school) - Commencement at 9 a.m.
NIPMUC: During spring vacation, 45
Nipmuc students and six Nipmuc teachers
travelled to Italy. Highlights of the trip were
a gondola ride, Venetian glass blowing
demonstration, Juliet’s balcony, the David,
the Duomo in Florence, the Vatican
including the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum,
the Roman forum, the Pantheon, a boat
cruise around Capri, visiting the ruins of
Pompeii.
The Nipmuc Regional High School
Chorus and Band students traveled to
Washington, D.C. to participate in the
Worldstrides Heritage Music Festival,
April 14-18. Under the direction of Ann
Marie Tremblay, the Nipmuc Concert
Choir performed for the public at Lincoln
Memorial and again at the National
Christian Church for adjudication. Both
ensembles received Gold Medals. Freshman
Angela Morano was recognized for her
outstanding performance on the piano
accompanying the Choir.
Under the direction of Simon Harding,
the Nipmuc Concert Band and Jazz
Ensemble performed at the Hylton
Performing Arts Center for adjudication
and received two Gold Medals. The
Wind Ensemble received a Silver Medal.
Congratulations go to Nipmuc music
students and directors.
Altavilla of BVT Named Presidential Scholar
Semifinalist
Submitted by Andrew Morrison
Valley Tech
Michael Altavilla of Mendon, an Electronics & Engineering
Technology senior at Blackstone Valley Tech, has been selected
as a semifinalist in the prestigious 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Program.
Michael is one of only 689 semifinalists selected from nearly
4,700 candidates nationwide. According to an announcement from
the U.S. Department of Education, inclusion in the U.S. Presidential
Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon
graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of
superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities,
Blackstone Valley
strong character, and involvement in community and school
Tech Class of
activities.
2016 Salutatorian
Michael was nominated for the Scholars Program by Blackstone
Michael Altavilla
Valley Tech, the Massachusetts Association of Vocational
of Mendon is one
Administrators, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary
of 689 nationwide
Education. The nomination highlighted his ability to perform at
semifinalists for
the top of his class while earning numerous technical certifications,
the 2016 U.S.
participating in extracurricular activities and athletics, and working
Presidential
for a global information technology leader.
Scholars Program.
In his application essay, Michael described his experience as an
He will graduate
employee of EMC Corporation, where he holds the distinction of
in May from
being the first high school student ever hired by an EMC design
BVT’s Electronics
group for an Engineering cooperative education position. At EMC,
& Engineering
he has displayed true preparedness for the modern workforce
Technology
and was even placed in a leadership role developing a wireless
program and will
debugging board that will eventually be shipped around the world.
enroll at Worcester
According to Michael, he is honored to be chosen as a national
Polytechnic
semifinalist and grateful to his soon-to-be alma mater for its
Institute in the fall.
training and support. “The fact that I have been able to progress
Contributed photo
through the consideration process to the semifinalist level reflects
BVT’s success in developing well-prepared career technical
students,” Michael commented. “I look forward to hearing from the US Department of
Education whether I will be fortunate enough to be part of such a prestigious group of
America’s best academic, vocational, and arts focused students.”
In May, the U.S. Department of Education will announce 161 finalists chosen by the
Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 32 eminent citizens appointed by the
President. If selected, Altavilla and other Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC,
for several days in June to attend a series of recognition events, including a Presidential
Scholars Medallion presentation during a White House-sponsored ceremony. “I think that if I am selected as a finalist, the Scholars Program would be a great
opportunity to represent BVT’s comprehensive academic and vocational program at the
nation’s capital, as well as network with other accomplished students,” Michael said.
Regardless of whether or not he is named a finalist, Michael has already distinguished
himself as a stellar representative of Valley Tech and career technical education at large,
according to Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick.
“Valley Tech is fortunate and proud to have a student of Michael’s caliber earn
semifinalist status in a program as competitive and prestigious as the Presidential Scholars
Program,” Fitzpatrick commented. “This unprecedented accomplishment speaks volumes
of Michael’s academic abilities, technical aptitude, and quality of character.”
At Valley Tech’s May graduation, Michael will deliver the Salutatorian’s address before
crossing the stage to receive his high school diploma and vocational certificate. This fall,
he will enroll in Worcester Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Class of 2020.
Recreating an Artwork for Mt. St. Charles
In the chapel in the Brothers of the
Sacred Heart residence on the fourth
floor of the Academy, a beautiful
crucifix hangs which was designed
and created by the late Brother artist,
Richard Roy, SC. Two freshmen were
chosen to create an exact replica of
this crucifix for Mount’s gymnasium
by Brother Marcel Leclerc, SC. The
two freshmen artists were Olivia
Charbonneau of Mendon, shown
on the right, and Bridget Lewis of
Franklin, who worked on it before
and after school and during free
periods. The crucifix currently hangs
on the left wall as soon as one enters
the gymnasium. A plaque will soon
be displayed alongside this piece
of art crediting the students for
their hard work and talent. Mt. St.
Charles photo
29
School News
Valley Tech Seniors Say Thanks
Submitted by Andrew Morrison
Valley Tech
What’s the best way to say “thank you” for a lifechanging high school experience? For seniors in the
Blackstone Valley Tech Class of 2016, it’s building a
bridge, painting a library, and performing other acts of
community service for the towns that support their soonto-be alma mater.
Over two days in late March, Valley Tech seniors
voluntarily rolled up their sleeves and went to work
at a number of job sites in the school’s 13 membercommunities. The hands-on exercise in appreciation,
according to Assistant Principal Eddie Evans, was
developed as an alternative to the past practice of taking
the senior class to Boston while underclassmen sat for
standardized assessments. This year, the off campus trip
was revised to include an emphasis on giving back on the
local level.
“No matter where a BVT student lives, the taxpayers
in each district town contribute to his or her education,”
Evans said. “We’re all in this together.”
Roughly 150 seniors, more than half the graduating
class, signed up for community service, which were
planned in collaboration with town officials in Blackstone,
Hopedale, Mendon, Sutton, and Upton. Based on the
initial success, plans are already underway to make the
program an annual event benefiting the entire BVT
district.
“Our goal over the next several years is to work with
all 13 towns in one form or another,” Assistant Principal
Matthew Urquhart explained. “Next year, we’re looking
to partner with some of the area’s non-profits and
community organizations to see how BVT can help them
help others.”
The community service projects included painting
at the Sutton town hall, improving trails at the town’s
Marion Camp, lending a hand at the Mendon senior
center, and refurbishing baseball dugouts at Blackstone’s
Roosevelt Park. Students were also able to landscape
public property and improve walking-trails at several sites
thanks to a generous donation of rakes, saws, and gloves
from the Milford Lowe’s Home Improvement Store.
At the Little Red Shop Museum in Hopedale, students
improved the historic site’s potential for fishing
and photography by cutting and clearing brush
from the bank of Hopedale Pond. Hopedale
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Donald
Howes said that the huge amount of work
done by the students would have been difficult
to finance with local funds. “We don’t have
600 extra hours for labor and overtime in our
budget,” Howes explained.
Municipal, civic, and community
organizations interested in participating in
next year’s community service activities are
encouraged to contact Assistant Principal
Matthew Urquhart at508-529-7758 ext. 3024.
Stephanie Harrison, a Painting & Design
Technology senior from Upton, was one of many
Valley Tech seniors who recently used their
technical skills to make free improvements to
the Sutton Public Library and Town Hall. The
community service was provided as part of a
two-day effort in which the Class of 2016 said
“thank you” to Valley Tech’s sending towns by
performing a variety of good deeds. BVT photo
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30
Information Technology seniors Steven Beaudrot of Milford(left) and
Peter Pontzer of Mendon (right) made short work of filling a town dump
truck with leaves and branches in front of the Sutton Town Hall. To
show their gratitude for supporting their high school experience, Valley
Tech seniors recently performed two days’ worth of community service
projects throughout BVT’s sending communities. BVT photo
With warm weather right around the corner, seniors from Blackstone
Valley Tech recently spruced up the Memorial Park playground in
Mendon. The job was one of several recently performed by the Class of
2016’s as a sign of gratitude to their school district’s 13 member-towns.
BVT photo
Mendon Student a US Presidential Scholars
Program Candidate
Submitted by Penny Federici
Mount Saint Charles
Madeline Charbonneau, a graduating senior at
Mount Saint Charles in Woonsocket and daughter of
Bree and Dennis Charbonneau of Mendon, has been
named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2016
US Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates
were selected from nearly 3.3 million students
expected to graduate high school this year.
Inclusion in the US Presidential Scholars Program,
now in its 52nd year, is one of the highest honors
bestowed upon graduating high school seniors.
Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic
and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong
character, and involvement in community and school
activities.
Having attended Mount from grades 7-12, Madeline
has a cumulative GPA of 4.16 and has been listed
on the Excelsior Honor roll from grades 9-12 (a
minimum GPA of 4.0 and no grade below a C). She
was also a member of the National Honor Society
in grades 10, 11, and 12 and has received several
academic awards during her career at the Academy.
In addition to her academic accomplishments,
Madeline has served in several leadership roles. She
was captain of her varsity cross country team and
track team, was the founder of the running club and,
during her sophomore year, held the position of Class
of 2016 vice president. Active in school and in her
community, Madeline is a musician in the Academy’s
Fine Arts department and spends much of her time
volunteering at various service opportunities such
as at the Ronald McDonald House and at Trinity
Nursing Home in Woonsocket.
“Mount Saint Charles Academy is proud of the
recognition that Ms. Maddi Charbonneau is receiving
for her tremendous work ethic and determination,”
Edwin Burke, principal of Mount
Saint Charles, said. “She is a
young woman who is committed
to scholarship and service, and
she embodies the mission of
the school. We at Mount Saint
Madeline
Charles join Maddi’s family in
Charbonneau
celebrating her effort.”
The US Presidential Scholars
Program was established in 1964 by Executive
Order of the President to recognize some of our
nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for
their accomplishments in many areas: academic
success, leadership, and service to their school and
community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize
students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and
talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts.
In 2015, the program was expanded once again to
recognize students who demonstrate ability and
accomplishment in career and technical fields.
Annually, up to 161 US Presidential Scholars
are chosen from among that year’s senior class,
representing excellence in education and the promise
of greatness in America’s youth. All Scholars are
invited to Washington, DC in June for the National
Recognition Program, featuring various events and
enrichment activities, culminating in the presentation
of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White
House sponsored ceremony.
A distinguished panel of educators will review these
submissions and select 800 semifinalists in April. The
Commission of Presidential Scholars, a group of up
to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President,
will select the finalists, and the US Department of
Education will announce the Scholars in May.
May 6, 2016
Sports
SPORTS FLASH
By Chris Villani
Colabello Has
Earned Benefit
of the Doubt
By now, Chris
Colabello should
be used to people
doubting him.
Through seven
years of toiling away
in the low-paying,
unaffiliated Can-Am
League, the Milford
native had more
people than he’d
Chris Colabello
probably care to
remember question
whether his efforts would ever pay off. I’ve known Chris since we played on the
same little league team together, and even
I recall conversations with mutual friends
where we asked how long he would continue
to pursue the “pipe dream” of playing in the
major leagues before giving it up.
Now best known as the Toronto Blue Jays’
2015 breakout star, Chris once again has
people doubting him. This time, questioning
his explanation for a failed drug test that will
cost him an 80 game, unpaid suspension this
season.
“Ultimately, I don’t have answers. I don’t
have an answer to the timeframe of when
it got in my body. I don’t have an answer to
how long it was in my body for. Everything
that I’ve asked or that I’ve tried to figure out,
I don’t have an answer for,” he said in an
interview with Toronto’s Sportsnet. “What
I know is what I’m saying. That’s the only
thing I can tell you for sure. It’s scary stuff. It’s
scary to try to figure out where something
came from when you don’t really know.”
Chris has not denied the positive
test. He admits a trace amount of a
metabolite linked to something called
dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, an anabolic
steroid more commonly known as turinabol,
showed up in his system.
Copping to it would be the easier route.
We’ve seen numerous athletes admit their
mistake, move on, and sign lucrative
contracts as the public typically forgets or
chooses not to care too deeply. Instead, it’s
the athletes who deny (Roger Clemens),
point the finger elsewhere (Ryan Braun), or,
as Chris is doing now, claim to not know
how the positive test happened and promise
to find answers (David Ortiz), who are more
vilified.
From a public relations standpoint, his is
not the path of least resistance, but through
his entire career, Chris has never been one to
take the path of least resistance.
It’s impossible for me to remain unbiased
when talking about someone I have known
for 20 years, that I used to play wiffleball
with in my backyard, who used to turn the
occasional double play with me on the little
league diamond. I know the man, I know his
character, I know the character of his family,
and I know how much he loves baseball.
Our first year playing together, our little
league team lost 11 straight games to start
the season. Chris happened to be sick and
missed our first win. He called me after the
game, and when he found out we had won,
he was so excited, you’d think he’d have been
there and driven in the winning run. After
I hit my first home run, I remember him
mobbing me at the door of a buddy’s house,
as excited as if he had hit it himself.
That’s the kind of person Chris Colabello
has been since he was a little kid, a true
testament to his parents, Silvana and Lou.
I’m sorry to say I doubted my friend when
he said he was going to get to the show. I am not sorry to say I do not doubt him
now.
May 6, 2016
Nipmuc Arms Strike Out with
Strong Start
By Chris Villani
Sports Reporter/Columnist
The Nipmuc baseball team has played to form through the first
seven games of the season, with a veteran trio of pitchers keeping
the Warriors competitive in every game, and victorious in most.
Nipmuc began the week 5-2 overall, and a perfect 4-0 in Dual
Valley Conference play. Tom Sperino, Kyle Nocera, and Izaiah
Wadsworth have all taken the mound and all continued to stand
out for head coach Steve DellaRovere. “It’s a good start. Even in our losses, it’s definitely not the
pitching,” DellaRovere said, referencing his team’s 2-0 loss to
Groton-Dunstable and a 3-1 defeat against Grafton. “Between Tom
and Kyle and Izaiah, they have kept us in it, the pitching is a strong
point for us.”
It also makes it easy for the coach to spot an area or two where
there might be room for improvement.
“We need to get that offensive support and we need to play
cleanly on defense,” he said. “Some mistakes hurt us in the Grafton
game, but we need to be timely with the bats.”
Part of the problem, DellaRovere said, is “finding the right mix”
in the lineup. He also pointed to a couple of specific fixes he said
he wants the team to focus on in the coming weeks.
“We need to work on putting together more consistent at bats,”
he said. “We had 16 strikeouts against Groton, you can’t do much
if you’re not putting the ball in play. The biggest thing is about
making adjustments in-game, seeing what the pitcher has, making
an adjustment, and putting guys in the right spot.”
One player who has seemingly found the right spot is
sophomore Cole Alibozek, who is hitting near the top of the order
and helped lengthen the lineup, DellaRovere said. He called the
first-year varsity player the team’s “biggest surprise.” DellaRovere
added,“He is definitely a kid I knew coming in had the ability, just
didn’t know it would happen so quickly.”
Sperino, Nocera, and Wadsworth, however, have been the
anchor for a squad finding its way at the plate. “Tom has been his
usual consistent self, he’s been victimized by some unearned runs,
but he is a presence on the mound,” DellaRovere said. “Other
teams know, going in, that it’s going to be a tight ballgame.”
DellaRovere said Nocera’s start against Northbridge was
“probably the best I have seen him throw,” and called Wadsworth
“fearless.”
“Kyle’s command is great. Even outside the zone, he’s throwing
the ball where he wants it, which is a big thing, he is keeping the
walks down,” the coach said. “Izaiah has only had one start but he
goes right at guys and pitches to contact so well.”
As Nipmuc moves toward the second half of what appears to be
another tournament-bound season, DellaRovere also expressed
appreciation for his team’s unselfish nature.
“It’s been a balancing act to get guys playing time, but they all
buy in, they see it as a team goal to do as well as we can and make
the sacrifice for the better of the team,” he said. “It’s a nice thing for
a coach to have a group of high school kids appreciate the bigger
picture.”
Curling in the
Blackstone Valley
Curling has come to the Blackstone Valley! Due to overwhelming demand in the area, the Blackstone Valley Curling Club
has formed and will hold a Learn to Curl event on Saturday May,
21 at the Blackstone Valley IcePlex, 121 Plain St., Hopedale.
Those interested may sign up for one of two sessions, either at 2
p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Certified curling instructors will be on hand to
teach the basics behind the fastest growing sport on ice. The cost is
$40 per person and is for ages 18 and up. Visit LTC.bvcurlingclub.
com for more information about the Learn to Curl and to sign up
online. Space is very limited so be sure to visit the website and sign
up today! Walk-ups are not permitted.
Those planning on trying out curling at the Learn to Curl should
wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (such as a jogging suit)
and rubber-soled shoes. Wearing a couple of layers will allow you
to adjust accordingly as you go from less-active instruction in
the ice rink to full participation. The club will provide all other
equipment needed to participate.
The Blackstone Valley Curling Club’s league season will begin in
October and space is limited.
For more information contact: Al Ayotte at 508-422-7004, or
bvcurling@gmail.com.
Valley Tech Baseball Embraces
Tougher CAL
By Chris Villani
It wasn’t long ago when a Blackstone Valley Tech baseball team
would romp through the Colonial Athletic League, regularly
winning games by 10 runs or more and only occasionally running
into a formidable foe. This year’s CAL, however, has been far more
challenging, with an undefeated Bay Path team leading the way at
the midway point and a total of five teams — including the Beavers
— at least two games above .500.
“The league is tough, it’s very competitive this year, a lot more
competitive than years past,” had coach Scott Felper said after his
team started 5-3 overall and 4-2 in league play. “The three games
we have lost, we have lost by a combined four runs. It’s all been
really good baseball, really competitive.”
Felper admitted “it’s never fun to lose,” but he seemed to
welcome a more competitive brand of baseball.
“Bay Path knocked us off (2-0) and that was cool to see, it was
a good game against a team that has a lot of seniors,” he said. “We
have had some really good ballgames.”
In addition to Bay Path and BVT, Monty Tech, Assabet, and
Advanced Math and Science all began the week with winning
records. Senior Tyler Brodeur, who is building off of an all-star campaign
a season ago, has led valley Tech on the mound. Senior Nick Laren,
along with junior Hector Petri and Ryan Wickett, have all shown
promise as potential number two starters.
“We have a lot of depth, so that is not really a concern,” Felper
said. “We tell our guys, ‘just come in, throw strikes; get ahead [in
the count].’ With the way we field, that’s enough to give us a chance
to win.”
Felper ticked off a number of players he said have allowed the
Beavers to thrive, including catcher Marc Flores who “calls a great
game” and third baseman Blake Morin, who the coach says has
been the team’s most consistent hitter, batting in the leadoff spot.
“He is a guy who can do whatever you ask him to, play anywhere
in the infield,” Felper said. “He’s a lot of fun to watch.”
Outfielders Matt Marchant and Joe Hanson, a Northbridge
duo who have played together since they were young kids, have
supplied speed both in the outfield and on the base paths, taking
advantage of BVT’s usual aggressive base running style. Senior
captain Joe Corsi continues to draw praise from his coach for his
ability to go above and beyond.
“Defensively, he is great. It’s like watching Derek Jeter play”
Felper said, comparing the former Yankees shortstop with his own.
“He is all about the team, never about himself and it’s really cool to
watch a guy like that. You literally can’t make him go home.”
If there is room for improvement, Felper said it’s at the plate.
“We have not been tearing the cover off the ball, but I think that
comes with getting the first taste of varsity experience,” he said.
“We are getting there. The point of emphasis is on grinding out at
bats. We have been working hard to have good at bats and a good
approach at the plate. “The pitching and defense have been strong,” Felper added. “I
hope it stays that way. If we can get into the tournament, we will
make some noise.”
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31
Sports
Heart of the Order Drives Nipmuc Softball
By Chris Villani
Displaying a flair for the dramatic, Nipmuc senior Kayla Peabody made the most of her
100th career varsity hit, blasting a two-run home run in a win over Blackstone-Millville
last week. Freshman slugger Kali Scirocco hit two homers, and Grace Caughey threw
a no-hitter in a microcosm of what has helped drive the Warriors to a 7-2 start to the
season.
“Grace is pitching well, the more she pitches, the stronger she gets and we have our
three, four, and five hitters crushing the ball at this point,” head coach Bernie Curtis said.
“The stars were aligned on Friday and I hope that all continues.”
Scirocco leads the team with five homers, and Caughey has been a dual threat — she
boasts both a .467 batting average as well as a 4-2 record in the circle. Peabody has paced
the team in most offensive categories. She entered the week with a sizzling .613 batting
average to go with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
“She works hard, she just sees the ball so well and is very confident with her contact,
she attacks the ball,” Curtis said, describing Peabody’s approach at the plate. “She is
consistently working on her game and I can’t see her slowing down any time soon.”
Peabody, Scirocco, and Caughey have made a habit of pushing each other to produce,
Curtis said.
The troika has helped Nipmuc win seven of its first nine games and begin the
week with four outputs of 12 runs or more. The Warriors have only one Dual Valley
Conference loss on their record, a 6-2 setback on April 15 against Hopedale.
“We need to win out the rest of the way in the DVC in order to be tied for the top spot,”
Curtis said. “We need to beat Hopedale this time around and keep winning those DVC
games.”
After a scheduled Wednesday showdown with Douglas and a Friday trip planned to
Sutton, the head coach looked ahead to next week as one that will be a bellwether for her
team. Nipmuc hosts Holy Name on Monday, and will welcome Hopedale on Wednesday.
“Holy Name has always been a tough game,” Curtis said. “To have Holy Name in the
same week as Hopedale, next week is going to be huge for us.”
Curtis pointed out her team has been far from a three-player show. Sophomore
Katherine Ryan came into the week 3-0 in the circle with a 1.26 ERA and a .379 batting
average hitting at the top of the order. Junior Rebecca Rausch and senior Kristina Dubois
are also hitting north of .300 on the season.
“Everyone has been picking one another up, which is what you want a team to do,”
Curtis said. “We get a couple more wins and we are in the districts. The girls are working
together and working hard to make that happen and that is what’s pushing us forward.”
What is your plan
if you need long term care?
Attend this free seminar to receive important
information* about long term care:
When: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
5:00 pm Registration
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Presentation and Q & A
Where: The Milford National Bank and Trust Company
300 East Main Street, Milford
Presenter: Dave Corliss, Long Term Care
Regional Director, Pacific Life Insurance
•
•
•
•
What would happen to your financial independence if you
suddenly required long-term care?
Are your retirement assets protected from long term care costs?
Who would be able to help you pay for any unplanned care
expenses?
How would the cost of care impact what you have carefully saved
over your lifetime?
Maintain the quality of life you have come to expect and the
freedom of choice you want to protect.
Seating is limited so please reserve your seat today.
Contact Jackie Sherman-Herne at 508-244-5170 or
email jsherman@infinexgroup.com
Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.
*This is an insurance solicitation.
MNB Wealth Management is a trade name of The Milford National Bank and Trust Company. Brokerage
services are offered through INFINEX INVESTMENTS, INC., Member FINRA / SIPC. Investment and
insurance products are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of value. Products and
services made available through Infinex are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United
States and are not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. Infinex
and The Milford National Bank and Trust Company are not affiliated.
32
BVT Boys LAX
Turning Heads with
Perfect Record
By Chris Villani
Lead by a new attitude and one of the
top scorers in the district, the Blackstone
Valley Tech boys lacrosse team has made
a lot of people stop and take notice so far
this season, and not just for the team’s 6-0
league record coming into this week.
“We have surprised other teams, they
weren’t expecting us to come out with
what we have, they were expecting the
old way, when we weren’t always the most
serious group of kids,” head coach Andrew
Barksdale said. “Honestly, they have
exceeded my expectations, I knew we were
going to be good, but I didn’t think we
would get off to as fast a start as we did, the
whole team has come together.”
The biggest change, Barksdale said, has
been discipline in all facets of the game.
Players are more focused on working hard
and listening to their coaches. They aren’t
worrying about calls from officials and they
are embracing more set plays, rather than a
free-flowing style of the past.
“They weren’t really organized on offense
before,” Barksdale said. “Now, we have set
plays and offenses. It’s definitely cleaned up
our game immensely.”
And it’s also allowed Mike Jango
to continue to thrive. The team’s top
attackman, Jango is the Colonial Athletic
League’s top scorer with 27 goals and 13
assists for 40 points. His point total is also
the third-best in Central Mass. Stefan
Sadlon has been the “best midfielder” on
the team, Barksdale said.
“We count on him the most for our
transition game, getting the ball up the
field,” he said.
Barksdale also praised defenseman
Connor Nolan, who has anchored his
side of the field, as well as Andrew Vasile
and Reece Hendricks for adding depth to
the offense. Rutger Murphy, a junior, has
become the team’s “go to” guy at the X,
controlling face-offs for the Beavers to help
establish the new set offense, the coach
said.
The results have not gone unnoticed in
school and out.
“We had the coach from Advance Math
and Science come up to us the other day
and say he couldn’t believe the difference
from when they played us the first time,
how much better the team was run,
and how quickly it was turned around,”
Barksdale said. “In school, a few teachers
and the athletic director [Michelle Denise]
told me they have been very happy with
how things have turned around.”
Barksdale played four years of lacrosse at
BVT, graduating in 2011. He is in his first
year as the varsity head coach after serving
as the program’s junior varsity coach and
varsity assistant last season.
“I am trying to get it back to how it was
when I played,” he said. “I think everyone
is just happy with how excited the kids are
about playing lacrosse right now and being
part of the team.”
Latest Sports Results
Follow Town Crier Sports
Reporter and Columnist,
Chris Villani on Twitter,
@ChrisVillani44, for
the latest local sports
results.
Young BVT Softball
Team Starts Strong
By Chris Villani
The Blackstone Valley Tech softball
team has rocketed to the top of the early
standings in the Colonial Athletic League,
success that comes as little surprise to head
coach Denise Medaglia.
“I knew we were going to be good,” she
said. “We didn’t really lose anyone from last
year’s team…and we have so much depth.
Our whole lineup, we have seven out of 10
hitters who could either bunt or hit a home
run. We are so versatile.”
Medaglia said the depth has created
a great deal of competition for playing
time. “There are no starting positions that
are safe and they all know that, it only
makes us better,” she said. “Many of our
bench players are interchangeable with
our starters, everyone is right up there
and works hard because they know it’s so
competitive.”
The competition fostered in practice has
been missing from some of the Beavers’
games. BVT started the week 5-1 overall,
and 4-0 in the CAL. The offense has
pounded out double-digit run totals in all
five wins, three times crossing the plate
north of 20 times. Valley Tech has been
truly tested twice, a 5-4 loss to Nipmuc and
an 11-7, 10-inning win over Monty Tech. At
nearly 17 runs per game, the Beavers have
the second highest scoring average in the
district.
Junior Rachel Arnold has helped lead the
way with a .652 average entering the week,
10 RBIs, and a .956 slugging percentage.
“She just pounds the ball, she is
awesome,” Medaglia said of Arnold, a
catcher by trade who has been playing first
base this year after senior first baseman
Hannah Clark suffered a torn labrum in her
hip during the basketball season. Medaglia
said she expects Clark to return before the
end of the season.
The head coach praised the play of
sophomore centerfielder MacKenzie Gill,
who stepped in to replace a four-year
starter. Junior Emma Tomas has been a
dual threat, hitting almost .600 with two
home runs and two triples. In the circle, the
pitcher is 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA.
Perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise of
the season so far has been the play of firstyear starter Erin Ward. The sophomore hit
.583 though the first five games and leads
the team in RBIs. “She has been killing it
for us,” Medaglia said. “She has been a quiet
leader.”
Medaglia said she expects her team will
compete for the CAL title and be in the
postseason again. She is hoping for a deep
run that will likely go through another
league opponent. “We always look forward
to playing against the better teams in our
league,” she said. “Monty Tech, Worcester
Tech, Assabet, we are all going to make the
playoffs and probably face each other in the
postseason.”
Medaglia said playing tougher teams as
the season progresses will also allow her
squad to keep focused and play with an
added sense of urgency.
“We want to make sure we focus every
game, the whole game,” she said. “We have
a young team and a lot of them don’t know
what it’s like to be in that pressure situation
yet. So that’s what we will try to work on
in practice and in games, the ability to play
every play like the game is on the line.”
May 6, 2016
Sports
Against the Tide
Registration is now going on for the
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
(MBCC) 2016 Against the Tide. The onemile swim, two-mile kayak and three
mile walk or 5K or 10K run will be held
on Saturday, June 18 at Hopkinton State
Park in Hopkinton and Saturday, August
20 at Nickerson State Park in Brewster.
Both events begin at 8:30 a.m. Participants
may take part in one or more of the
components of the event.
Funds raised by the event will benefit
MBCC’s work toward breast cancer
prevention. For more information or to
register visit MBCC.org/swim or call
1-800-649-MBCC (6222).
Blackstone Valley Fishing
Derby
Looking for a special experience and
fun memories with your children or
grandchildren? Then make sure to be at
the Blackstone Valley Fishing Derby for
youths, age 3 to 15, on Saturday, June 18
from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Hopedale
Pond Boat Launch, Hopedale.
Prizes include 1st and 2nd place trophies
in five categories: trout, perch, bluegill,
pickerel and bass. Bring your own rod
and reel and favorite bait for a morning of
catch and release. A cookout of hot dogs
and more will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed
by the Award Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Blackstone Valley
Chamber of Commerce, Fin and
Feather Sports in Upton and other local
businesses, visit BVFishingDerby.org for
more information and to download the
registration. A donation of $15 per child
covers tackle packs, worms and cookout.
Call Jeff at Fin and Feather Sports 508-5293901 with any questions.
American Red Cross
Swim Lessons
Registration for final spring session of
American Red Cross Swim Lessons at the
Millford High School (MHS) Pool will
take place Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m. in
the MHS Pool Lobby for all area residents.
The 40 minutes swim lessons are offered to
all skill levels and all ages, starting at two
years of age.
Lessons for ages 2 and 3, Tiny Tonkers,
and ages 4 and 5, Mini Wheats, will be held
on May 28, June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2016 at
10 or 11 a.m. Please note, someone must
accompany the Tiny Tonker swimmer in
the pool during lessons.
Lessons for ages 6 and older (Levels 1
– 6), lessons will be held on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from May 31 through June 30 at
5 or 6 p.m.
Any parents with questions regarding
Swim Lessons may contact the Milford
Community School Use Program Office at
508-478-1119 or visit MCS.Milford.ma.us
St. Camillus Golf
Tournament
Registration for the St. Camillus 4th Annual
golf tournament on May 24 at 9 a.m. at
Blissful Meadows Golf Course in Uxbridge
is now available at StCamillus.com/4thannual-golf-tournament. Visit the site to
register players, make a donation, purchase a
sponsorship, obtain a personalized flag for use
during the tournament and buy golf balls for the
Golf Ball Drop with a $1000 prize. Credit cards
are accepted as payment for any or all of these
options. For more information visit the website
or call 508-234-7306.
Jim Grant’s Golf Tournament Fundraiser
benefiting the Mendon/Upton Schools,
athletic programs, youth athletic programs
and Warriors Booster Club will be held
on Monday, May 16 at Hopedale Country
Club. The day begins at 9 a.m. with a
Florida Style Scramble Shotgun start. The
entry cost includes the greens fee, cart,
continental breakfast, lunch, and prizes
If interested please contact Jim Grant at
jimgrant12@icloud.com as well as 508-4736109 or (cell) 774-573-3140.
If you cannot participate and would like
to donate to the cause or donate a raffle
item or auction item in your name or
business, please contact Grant
My One Wish Golf
Tournament
My One Wish Golf Tournament will be
Friday June 24 at Blissful Meadows Golf
Club, Chocolog Rd., Uxbridge For more
information email my1wishgolf@gmail.
com. Or contact the following individuals:
Julie Atherton-julie@milfordhardwood.
com, 508-473-1207; Dave Consiglidrcc21@aol.com, 508-922-9644; Christine
Gaffney-chrisg5354@yahoo.com, 508478-3131; or Kara Consigli-karaconsigli@
gmail.com, 508-922-9130. The tournament
will help support the group, which
works to fulfill the wishes of critically or
chronically ill children.
www.TownCrier.us
Spring Cleaning
Adult Golf Programs
The Milford Community School Use
Program will offer Adult Golf Programs
at Maplegate Country Club, 160 Maple St,
Bellingham, this spring. Greg Dowdell,
Director of Golf, and Kevin Weldon,
USTGF Professional at Maplegate,
along with other staff members, will be
instructing the classes.
Mothers Day 2-for-1 will be Saturday,
May 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, offering a
three-hour lesson for all family members
including the kids.
The five-week, After Work Group Golf
Lessons for Adults will begin on Monday,
May 9 and continue until June 13 from 6
to 7:30 p.m., no class on Monday, May 30.
Rain date is June 20
Also for adults, One Day Golf School is
offered on your choice of a Saturday from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dates available are May 28,
June 25-Ladies Only, as well as summer
dates.
All details and the registration form
may be found MCS.Milford.ma.us, click
on Adult Spring in the left side menu, then
scroll down and click on the program to
get the details and registration form. The
registration form and fee must be submitted
to the Milford Community Program office
located at 31 West Fountain St., Milford
MA 01757 by the Wednesday before the
start of the program. Please call the office
at 508-478-1119 with questions.
Visit www.towncrier.us
for Breaking News, Ad
Club Introduces, Calendar
Items, Photo Galleries,
Feature Stories, and more!
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A First Class, Full Service Event Venue
Mother’s Day Luncheon
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May 8 • 12 - 4pm
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508-478-7800
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Info@CrystalRoomMa.com
OPEN
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MAY 7 & 21
10 am - 1 pm
Sunday Brunch Buffet
First Sunday of every month:
Next Brunch Date: June 5, 9am - 1pm
$15.95/adults $8.50/kids under 10
May 6, 2016
33
508-478-0690
1 Men�i Way
Hopedale
Entertainment Schedule
• Live Entertainment
Friday & Saturday
• Great Food
& Patio Dining
• EPT Poker, Pool, Darts
• Lottery
LIZ’S HOURS
Daily: 11am-1am
Fri May 6 - Music Showcase
Sat May 7 - Salty Dog
Fri May 13 - Hit The Bus
Sat May 14 - The Walkin Blues Band
Fri May 20 - Velvet Skies
Sat May 21 - Stilburnin &
Liz's 6 Year Anniversary Party
Sunday May 22 - Local Music
Award
Fri May 27 - Milk Street Station
Sat May 28 - Straight Pipes
KITCHEN HOURS:
Sunday-Wednesday: 11am-9pm
Thursday-Saturday: 11am-10pm
Planning a party or gathering?
Call for information about our function room!
Visit our website and Facebook page for
upcoming events www.lizsdiamond.com.
MassDOT Capital Investment
Public Meetings
The Massachusetts Department of
Transportation (MassDOT) will hold a
series of meetings throughout the state to
solicit public input on its draft five-year,
multi-billion dollar Capital Investment Plan
(CIP) for long-term highway, aeronautics,
rail and transit investments.
The meetings will begin April 25, in
Fitchburg, and run through the month of
May.
This program makes long-term, multimodal investments that cover all MassDOT
highway and municipal projects, municipal
and regional airports, rail and transit,
including the MBTA and Regional Transit
Authorities, as well as the Registry of Motor
Vehicles.
A copy of the CIP presentation is
available at www.mass.gov/massdot/cip.
Public comments may be submitted via
email to masscip@state.ma.us.
The CIP for FY2017-2021 includes
funding for the following initiatives:
• $2 billion bridge program that will
reduce the proportion of bridges that
are structurally deficient to under 5
percent
• $50 million Municipal Bridge Program
• 60 percent increase in spending on
non-interstate highway pavement in
response to •recent asset management
report.
• $60 million to fund high priority
projects from upcoming bicycle and
pedestrian modal plans.
• Programs funding to complete
federally-required Positive Train
Control on commuter rail system.
• Programs the funding needed for the
state share of the Green Line Extension
(GLX) Full Funding Grant Agreement.
• Funds the continuance of South Coast
Rail early action projects, advancing
design, and beginning permitting.
• Programs $15 million for the
continuation of the Industrial Rail
Access Program.
• Invests in over $200 million in
reliability improvements at the
Commonwealth’s municipal airports.
Public meetings are scheduled as follows:
Monday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. Mansfield,
Qualters Middle School, Auditorium, 240
East St.
Tuesday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. Worcester
Union Station, 2 Washington St.
We are Town Crier Publications on Facebook.
Click “Like” and you will receive up to date news
bulletins. Check out our website:
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34
May 6, 2016
Business & Real Estate
The Milford National Reports Solid Earnings for 2015
The Milford National Bank and Trust Company
announced a seventh consecutive year of profitability
and earnings. The announcement was made by
Kristin T. Carvalho, Milford National President and
CEO, at the company’s annual meeting held on April
13.
“The Bank’s financial position remains strong due
to solid growth and asset quality,” stated Carvalho.
“Given the continued economic and regulatory
challenges, we’re very pleased with the Bank’s
performance.”
Highlights for 2015 include:
• Significant growth in commercial loans for the
third consecutive year, with continued growth
forecast for 2016
• Continued positive regulatory and audit results
• SBA Preferred Lender status from the United
States Small Business Association which
supports the Bank’s small business lending
initiatives
• Renaming of MNB Investment & Trust to MNB
Wealth Management
• Launch of newly redesigned website and mobile
banking services
“The renaming of our trust and investment
subsidiary to MNB Wealth Management is a
reflection of our commitment to grow and enhance
the services we’re able to provide our customers,” said
Carvalho. “In the past year we conducted a series
of well-attended financial planning seminars in the
Blackstone Valley area, and several more are planned
for 2016.”
Carvalho also noted that the Bank’s new website
and mobile banking services are an indication of
their continued investment in technology and focus
on enhancing customers’ online experience.
“As a locally-based community bank, we are more
committed than ever to supporting organizations that
work so hard to help those who live and work in the
communities we serve. This is demonstrated through
the financial support from our Charitable Foundation
and Scholarship Fund, various events, and the
generous volunteer efforts of our staff.”
Birdathon
Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road,
Worcester, Massachusetts 01604 recently held a Birdathon. Here is one of their magnificent photos. For more
information contact Janice Schlickman, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator, at jschlickman@massaudubon.
org.
JUST LISTED in MENDON ~ $454,909
1st FLOOR IN-LAW
OR AUPAIR APT.!
View Photos: 8Harrington.com
MOVE-IN READY, this Renovated Colonial features 3,955 sq. ft.,
12 rms, 5 bdrms, 2.5 baths, (2) spacious great rooms, lovely eat-in
kitchen, large bdrms & located on .61-acre lot on dead end street.
Call Theresa to Sell at Top Price! 508-954-8862
Spring Ahead to a New Home!
Tina Cote will help you find it!
508-922-1427 • Tina.Cote@hotmail.com
Service and Marketing Like No Other
Introducing 4 Thayer Street Upton, MA
4ThayerStreet.com
Upton Is oUr Home,
Let Us Assist YoU With YoUrs
susan Moore and robbi richie
508.397.1365 | 508.404.6939
11 Grove Street Hopkinton, MA 01748
May 6, 2016
Each office is independently owned and operated.
35
52 Acres of Quality Preowned Cars!
In
“the little town of Mendon!”
IMPERIAL CARS.COM
OPEN DAILY 9-9, SATURDAY 9-6, SUNDAY 11-6 • 800-526-AUTO
Bottom Line Pricing
SALES EVENT
LIKE
NEW
2015 Ford Focus Titanium
Low Miles, Moonroof, Nav.,
Alloy Wheels, #P10012R
Buy as
low as
71
Sticker $
WEEK
$21,855
PRICED $1,000 UNDER KELLEY BLUE BOOK RETAIL!
$
19,977
LIKE
NEW
2008 F-150 Harley-Davidson
All Wheel Drive, Privacy Glass,
Aluminum Wheels, #15380A
Buy as
low as
108
Sticker $
WEEK
$29,988
23,477
LIKE
NEW
2015 Ford F-150 Lariat
Only 7,500 Miles, 4x4, Bed Liner,
Trailer Hitch, #15967A
$
Buy as
low as
LIKE
NEW
2015 Ford F-150 XLT
ONLY 227 Miles! Aluminum Wheels,
4x4, Tow Hitch, #151037A
32,577
$
$
116
Sticker $
WEEK
$38,855
Whether I give you more for your trade or charge you less for your
new car, our bottom line price is going to be the BEST buy far!
$
68
Sticker $
WEEK
$24,977
LIKE
NEW
2015 Chrysler 200 Limited
Limited Trim, Aluminum Wheels,
Only 175 Miles. #D7225R
Buy as
low as
60
Sticker $
WEEK
$26,977
$
16,877
2015 Chrysler 200 C
Low Miles, Aluminum Wheels,
Bluetooth, Nav., #D7446R
28,477
Buy as
low as
$
2015 Chrysler 200 Limited
Bluetooth, Aluminum wheels,
Very low miles!, #D7202R
Buy as
low as
72
Sticker $
WEEK
$30,977
20,277
LIKE
NEW
$
2012 Chrysler 200 S
Low Miles, Sport Trim, 3.6L V6,
Alloy Wheels, #36938A
13,377
2012 CHRYSLER 200 S
Buy as
low as
$
61
Sticker $
WEEK
$17,944
LIKE
NEW
2014 Mercedes E350
V6 Sports Package, Aluminum
Wheels, Bluetooth, #I36456L
Buy as
low as
124
Sticker $
WEEK
$44,988
34,877
LIKE
NEW
101
Sticker $
WEEK
$32,977
LIKE
NEW
Buy as
low as
General Manager
Buy as
low as
18,977
Sale Ends
5/13/16
I’ll be walking the showroom ﬂoors at Imperial Cars EVERY DAY
for this huge event, so look for me and you can be sure that no
reasonable oﬀer will be refused!
Mike Penner
2014 Jeep Compass Limited
Limited Trim, Heated Leather,
Bluetooth, 4x4, #D7266L
LIKE
NEW
152
Sticker $
WEEK
$47,855
42,777
LIKE
NEW
Bad credit
don’t sweat it.
We finance your
future not your
past.
2015 Jeep Renegade
Alloy Wheels, Low Miles, 4x4,
Trailhawk Trim, #36889A
$
Buy as
low as
81
Sticker $
WEEK
$25,944
22,877
LIKE
NEW
$
2013 Chevy Avalanche
4x4, Heated Seats, Sunroof, Tow
Hitch, Alloy Wheels, #36950
Buy as
low as
128
Sticker $
WEEK
$39,944
35,844
$
26,477
2015 CHRYSLER 200
$
#D7447R, 3 miles, Sticker $26,477 . . . . . . . . . . . .NOW 24,977
2015 FIAT 500 SPORT
$
#D7453R, 8,700 miles, Sticker $14,977 . . . . . . . . . .NOW 11,877
2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
$
#115354B, 52,241 miles, Sticker $32,544 . . . . . . .NOW 27,877
2015 CHRYSLER 200 C
$
#D7491R, 3 miles, Sticker $30,577 . . . . . . . . . . . .NOW 28,377
2015 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM
$
#P10030R, 23,529 miles, Sticker $24,855 . . . . . .NOW 21,355
2013 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500
$
#36927, 32,598 miles, Sticker $29,944 . . . . . . .NOW 24,944
2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE
$
#36932, 16,026 miles, Sticker $82,444 . . . . . . . . . .NOW 74,977
2014 FORD F-150 KING RANCH $
#P10052, 21,667 miles, Sticker $44,855 . . . . . .NOW 39,955
#D7441R, 3 miles, Sticker $28,977 . . . . . . . . . . . .NOW
0
62
$
USED CARS
$
under
12,999
STARTING AT $5,488
SAVE THOUSANDS!
Ends 5/13/16. Prices valid on vehicles indicated only, see website for details. Prices may change if manufacturer rebates change. Not valid with prior sales. Monthly/weekly financing rates based on 72 months, 2.99% APR with credit approval and require dealer source financing.
Tax, title, registration and doc. fee not included. Must present ad, take same day delivery and pay in full to get advertised price. TAX SAVINGS DISCOUNT based off MSRP or sticker price and cannot be combined with any other discounts. Not responsible for typographical errors.
CHEVROLET
36
IMPERIAL CHEVROLET
RTE 16, MENDON, MA
IMPERIAL FORD
RTE 16, MENDON, MA
IMPERIAL CHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP
RTE 16, MENDON, MA
May 6, 2016

SPRING IN TO

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