Wednesday, March 11, 2009 International Woman’s Day · 13/03/2009 · (978) 297-0050 • Newsstand: 75 cents 6 56525 10431 2 Wednesday, March 11, 2009

(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com Newsstand: 75 cents

6 56525 10431 2

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

LOCAL2009 Photo

Contest Opens

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SPORTSHockey action

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Project funding could get even better

BY RUTH DEAMICISCOURIER EDITOR

WINCHENDON — Goodfiscal responsibility in townmeans a true interest sav-ings and possibly a target forfederal stimulus funds tomake the savings even better.At the Board of Selectmen’smeeting Monday, TownManager James Kreidler Jr.announced the town hasqualified for state revolvingfunding for continuing workon the water system infra-structure.

The town has had anadministrative consentorder from the Departmentof EnvironmentalProtection requiringupgrades and improvementsto the water distribution sys-tem. Of especial concern is a50-year-old carrying pipenear Rte. 12 fromAshburnham that cutsthrough dense woods. Alsoin the sights is a 100 year oldstandpipe on Hospital Hillalready holed a third of theway up the cylinder and sounable to be filled to capaci-ty. This standby creates pres-sure for the water system forthe fire suppression system

for Old Centre.Under the state revolving

funding, the town is eligiblefor two percent financing;but as a result of the federalstimulus package, the DEPhas an amount of funding itintends to bring to bear onexactly the kind of projectWinchendon must do. Thismoney may be used to inthree possible ways, to getmore projects to fund, aprospect that will not affectthe town’s eligibility for thetwo percent funding; or theDEP may use the funding toget the interest rate evenlower than two percent,which would affect the costsborne by the town; or theDEP may even use the stimu-lus funds to create grantfunding for all, or portionsof, the same sort of projects:including Winchendon.

Kreidler said the goodnews for the town means thewater distribution projectswill be a definite “go” oneway or the other.

Also projecting a soundfiscal policy, Treasurer JoanBousquet appeared before

Shop Local


WINCHENDON — Whengrowing up, Jon Coderreremembers helping his fatherrun the State Line Auction atthis building, and he missedthe interaction with customerswhen he left to pursue otheropportunities. Though hismother kept the business goinga few years after her husband’s

death, it just wasn’t the same.And when Coderre had achance to come back to thetown of his youth in 2000, thereit was…a great opportunity.

So it was that he taught him-self, and later with the help ofhis significant other KerriGaliano, the world of furni-

Small shop with big ideasBY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER

FITZWILLIAM — As win-ter begins to melt away anda teasing glimpse of greenappears here and there onthe bare patches of ground,thoughts of spring bring thewinter weary out of hiber-nation. For those that like toview the birth of springfrom the warmth of thevehicle, there is a driveeight miles north of the bor-der on Route 12 inFitzwilliam that will satisfya need to see the green ofspring, and help the green-

ing of the earth even more.The Itinerant Peddler is

nestled in a little shop onthe corner of routes 12 and119 in Fitzwilliam. The tinystore holds new and con-signment gifts, collectibles,boutique items, pottery,glassware, furniture, jewel-ry, and accessories. OwnerPam Lavoie is a beautifulsilver haired blue-eyedwoman with a quiet welcom-ing smile, an eye for quality,and a penchant for details.

BY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER

WINCHENDON — The sun wasshining and the air held the scentof spring as the Wendell P. ClarkMemorial YMCA held the thirdInternational Women’s Day Fair atthe Winchendon Senior Center. Itwas a day of addressing women’sissues of maintaining inner andouter beauty, served up with lots ofchocolate. Organizations presentedholistic approaches for personalhealth, ways to address stress, risk

awareness and self-defense pro-grams, all geared towards buildinga stronger woman mentally andphysically.

The mission of the InternationalWomen’s Day is to build a sense ofcommunity by developing charac-ter and positive values throughactivities that promote social,physical, and emotional well beingfor all. The fair helped to supportthe Clark’s vision to inspire youthand families to proactivelyimprove the quality of life for

themselves and others by pursuinglife-enhancing opportunities.Those opportunities were plentifulat the women’s fair.

Yogiraj John Featherstone pre-sented Yoga and how it contributesto an ultimate goal of finding innerpeace and happiness for a fulfillinglife. Featherstone talked about thebattle of the senses, and how 90percent of all doctor’s visits aredue to stress. He said Yoga helps totranscend the thinking mind tobring a quiet awareness to the body

and spirit.The fair was food for the mind

and spirit.Organizations and businesses

participating were The Rape CrisisCenter, Karma Sun Spa, XtremeBeans, The Greater Gardner CDC,The Mom’s Club of Montachusett,The Region Body ConnectionsMassage Center, AlexanderTechnique, Nurturing Within, DA’sOffice of Worcester County,Children’s Health Diet Tips, LUKMentoring, Acupuncture, Luxe

Natural Day Spa, Stampin’ Up,Back-N-Touch Wellness Center,The Pampered Chef, AldrichAstronomical Society, In JoyMothering Doula Services,Windsong Associates, Chair CityPipers, Happy Paws Mobile PetGrooming, The Chatter Bag, RADWomen’s Self Defense Program, C& A Business Service, Jackie’sChocolate, Music For Life Studio,Happy Trails Natural Foods,

Winchendon hassmaller assessment


FITCHBURG — Keepingthe bottom line the same asthe current year and havingfewer Winchendon studentsat Montachusett RegionalVocational TechnicalSchool means the town willpaying $108,585 less for itsassessment this comingyear to that school.

At a public hearing for itsbudget before its monthlyschool committee meeting,Superintendent DirectorJames Culkeen told hisboard the numbers were“tentative” because somany revenue sources wereunavailable.

“We based this on our fig-ures from last year plus theformula increase and thecontracted increases. Inorder to reach the same bot-tom line, there had to beadjustments,” Culkeen said.

In fact, he was certainthere would be positionslost, but it was premature tosay which ones, though anyretiring teachers would notbe replaced.

“That doesn’t mean aposition there is eliminat-

ed. With interior movementbased on contract language,all essential positions willbe filled, but that means avacancy somewhere elsewill not be filled,” Culkeenexplained.

The total foundationbudget for FY10 is tentative-ly $19,512,076 and that willinclude minimum contribu-tions, transportationassessment, capital assess-ment and any bonds avail-able to the system.Winchendon’s total assess-ment will be $604,684.

Culkeen said the assess-ments to cities and townswould not change even ifthe state adds to its project-ed Chapter 70 or transporta-tion reimbursement fig-ures.

“We need to let our citiesand towns know we will notbe changing their numbersas they try to build theirown budgets. We can sur-vive on this, it will be hard-er, but it can be done.”

The assessment for atown is reached based onthe foundation enrollment.

International Woman’s Day

Ryan Fabart seems to be in a pensive mood while enjoying her balloons.Doneen Durling photos

This little girl found a great color combo while playing in the Red Room.

Turn To MONTY TECH, page 7 Turn To SHOP, page 5

FAMILY OWNED AND FABULOUS

Turn To FAMILY, page 7

Turn To WOMEN, page 3

Turn To FUNDING, page 8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

WINCHENDON — Winchendon Kiwanis meet at6:30 p.m. at the Carriage House Restaurant.

WINCHENDON — Quilters workshop at OldMurdock Senior Center every Wednesday at 7 p.m.Share your love of quilting and your ideas; finishthose UFOs. For information call the Center at (978)297-3155; Barbara at (978) 297-0744 or Faye at (978)297-1885. $2 fee per evening.

WINCHENDON — The Winter Series ofPreschoolers’ STORY HOURS at Beals MemorialLibrary are on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. TheWednesday program is repeated on Friday morn-ings beginning at 10:30 a.m. These free programsare designed for children ages 3-5, accompanied bya responsible adult. Each session includes 3-4 sto-

ries, and a craft project for child and adult to maketogether.

WINCHENDON — Murdock Boosters meet atNik Rylee’s Restaurant at 7 p.m.

WINCHENDON — The AgriculturalCommission has voted that the first Farmer’sMarket will be held May 1. The commission meetson Wednesday March 11 and April 8 in the town hallforth floor conference room. Local farmers and arti-sans are encouraged to attend to find out how theycan add to the market. All ideas are appreciated.

The committee is looking to make opening day acelebration. Musicians and entertainers areencouraged to participate to make May Day a cele-bration.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

WINCHENDON — The American Legion Post193 Ladies’ Auxiliary is holding a spaghetti supperfrom 6-7 p.m. at the Legion on School Street. $7 perperson.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

WINCHENDON — The Winchendon Skate Showis at 2 p.m. at the Winchendon School ice rink.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

WINCHENDON — The Kiwanis of Winchendonand the Carriage House Restaurant present an Irishnight buffet with three choices of entrée includingcorned beef, Irish stew and more from 5 p.m. to clos-ing.. Irish stepdancers from 6:30-7:30 p.m., livemusic, raffles and more. $17 per person. Ticketsavailable in advance from any Kiwanis member or

at the Carriage House.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 18

WINCHENDON —Winchendon Kiwanis

meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Carriage House Restaurant.WINCHENDON — Quilters workshop at Old

Murdock Senior Center every Wednesday at 7 p.m.Share your love of quilting and your ideas; finishthose UFOs. For information call the Center at (978)297-3155; Barbara at (978) 297-0744 or Faye at (978)297-1885. $2 fee per evening.

WINCHENDON — The Winter Series ofPreschoolers’ STORY HOURS at Beals MemorialLibrary are on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. TheWednesday program is repeated on Friday morn-ings beginning at 10:30 a.m. These free programsare designed for children ages 3-5, accompanied bya responsible adult. Each session includes 3-4 sto-ries, and a craft project for child and adult to maketogether.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

WINCHENDON — A comedy show to benefitAhimsa Haven Animal Rescue is scheduled at 7:30-9p.m. upstairs at Santini’s Restaurant, Front Street.Donation requested is $10.

WINCHENDON COURIER2 Wednesday, March 11, 2009

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHERFRANK G. CHILINSKI

[email protected]

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERRON TREMBLAY

[email protected]

EDITOR-AT-LARGEWALTER BIRD JR.

[email protected]

ADVERTISING MANAGERJEAN ASHTON

[email protected]

PRODUCTION MANAGERJULIE CLARKE

[email protected]

THE WINCHENDON COURIER

NEWS STAFF DIRECTORYEDITOR RUTH DEAMICIS

(978) 297-0050 X [email protected]

STAFF WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHERDONEEN DURLING


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REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Regional 911 grants awardedBOSTON – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) announced

the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS)has awarded grants to towns throughout his district to supportits 911 emergency dispatch communications center andenhance public safety. The awards received are as follows:

Ashburnham received $12,693; Athol received $20,776,Charlton received $22,757, Hubbardston received $10,825,Spencer received $24,055, Sturbridge received $18,233, Warereceived $19,723, and Winchendon received $21,173

“This funding could not have come at a better time for com-munities who are struggling in the current economic climate,”said Brewer. “These monies will undoubtedly improve serviceand response times, which are extremely important in anemergency situation.”

Funding was drawn from an investment created last year bythe Legislature and signed into law by the Governor creating astate 911 department and a single surcharge on each sub-scriber whose communication service is capable of accessingand utilizing the enhanced 911 system in the Commonwealth.Passage assured citizens would be able to call for police, fire oremergency medical services whenever and from whereverneeded and that the public safety workers taking the calls havebeen trained and have state of the art equipment to provide theneeded help.

Customers now pay a 75¢ surcharge per month that is usedto pay for enhanced training, upgraded equipment, infrastruc-ture improvements and incentives to regionalize 911 opera-tions. The surcharge provides $19.1 million in FY09 andapproximately $21.5 million in FY10 directly to 911 answeringcenters to enhance training, upgrade equipment and supportoperating expenses. To date, $14.1 million dollars in grants has

been awarded to support emergency dispatch communicationscenters to enhance public safety.

Participants needed for study ofarsenic and uranium in wells

REGION — Residents with private wells in Essex,Middlesex, and Worcester counties are needed for a studyabout arsenic and uranium. In early March, some 1600 resi-dents will receive letters asking them to help scientists deter-mine if arsenic or uranium concentrations are elevated intheir well water.

The letters will come from the U.S. Geological Survey.Instructions and sampling kits will be provided.

Advantages of participation are that there is no cost to par-ticipate, results will be sent back to the well users, and confi-dentially of the results will be maintained. Well information isexempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

The USGS and the Massachusetts Department ofEnvironmental Protection are conducting this study to assess:

The number of private wells with arsenic or uranium con-centrations that are greater than the current drinking-waterstandards

The degree to which bedrock units correlate with concen-trations of uranium and arsenic

"We are concerned that private wells might contain elevatedlevels of uranium and arsenic. By participating in this study,private homeowners will have an opportunity to get theirwater tested at no cost to them," said USGS scientist JohnColman, who is leading the study. This study will also helpguide future water-supply development and well-water testing.

This study was prompted by recent changes in federal drink-

ing-water standards and the results of previous studies. In2000, the standard for safe drinking water for uranium wasestablished at 0.03 milligrams per liter (mg/L). In 2006, thestandard for arsenic was lowered from 0.05 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L.Although bedrock is thought to be a source for arsenic and ura-nium, the association between these elements and bedrocktype has not been established for Massachusetts. The focus ofthis investigation is east-central Massachusetts, where elevat-ed levels of arsenic have previously been detected in publicwells.

Public wells are relatively uncommon in bedrock because oflow water yield; however private bedrock wells are very com-mon and results could substantially increase our knowledgeabout arsenic and uranium distribution.

A similar study in which private homeowners collectedwater samples and sent them to the USGS was conducted inNew Hampshire and a correlation between bedrock unit andarsenic concentration was established. Because similarbedrock units extend south from New Hampshire throughMassachusetts, correlation is likely in Massachusetts as well.

For participants who are concerned about arsenic andhuman health, a separate study by the MassachusettsDepartment of Public Health, Bureau of EnvironmentalHealth (MDPH) will offer the opportunity for health assess-ments related to arsenic. The purpose of the health-assess-ment study is to determine whether individuals consumingthe well water have elevated concentrations of arsenic in theirurine. Participants in the USGS well-water study are not obli-gated to take part in the health assessment. MDPH's HintonLaboratory will provide laboratory support to the MDPH eval-uation. The results of the urine analyses will be strictly confi-dential and protected from release under Massachusetts law.Any public reports on the results of this effort will not containidentifying information regarding wells or well owners.

POLICE LOG

Winchendon PoliceDepartment

MONDAY, MARCH 2

5:12 a.m.: assist citizen (Elm Street) assisted; 5:38 p.m.: disabledauto (Gardner Road) assisted; 6:19 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road)summons: Lawrence K. Vancour, age 54, of 199 South Parish Road,Winchester, NH: failure to stop for police; operating MV negligent-ly so as to endanger; failure to drive in right of way; 6:26 a.m. van-dalism (School Street) report taken; 8:33 a.m.: general info (MainStreet) spoken to; 9:54 a.m.: transport (Pleasant Street); 10:17 a.m.:general info (phone) spoken to; 12:25 p.m.: private property tow(Front Street) MV towed; 2 p.m.: extra patrol (Eagle Road) infotaken; 2:45 p.m.: 911 call non-emergency (Hapgood Road) spoken to;2:45 p.m.: annoying phone calls (Brown Avenue) spoken to; 3:58p.m.: summons service (Ash Street) served; 4:23 p.m.: MV viola-tions (Central Street) traffic citation issued; 4:40 p.m.: MV viola-tions (Spring Street) spoken to; 5:18 p.m.: ambulance (HospitalDrive) removed to hospital; 5:58 p.m.: summons service (OtterRiver Road) served; 6:15 p.m.: ambulance (Goodrich Drive)removed to hospital; 6:41 p.m.: intoxicated person (High Street) PC;6:32 p.m.: traffic hazard (Main Street) spoken to; 8:10 p.m.: animalcomplaint (Park Street) info taken; 8:24 p.m.: ambulance (CentralStreet) removed to hospital; 9:26 p.m.: domestic (Benjamin Street)arrest: Justin D. Robichaud, age 26, of 5 Benjamin St. #3,Winchendon: domestic A&B.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

3:24 a.m.: assist citizen (Prospect Street) unable to locate; 4:14a.m.: ambulance (Main Street) removed to hospital; 8:52 a.m.:investigation (Memorial Drive) unable to locate; 9 a.m.: be on thelookout (Central Street) summons: Richard L. Girard Jr., age 38, of35 Pleasant St. #1, Winchendon: trespass; 9:13 a.m.: unknown fire(Lincoln Avenue) assisted; 12:56 p.m.: ambulance (Hospital Drive)removed to hospital; 2:02 p.m.: assault (Central Street) spoken to;2:37 p.m.: welfare check, general (addresses will not be printed);2:55 p.m.: accident (School Street) report taken; 3:14 p.m.: accident(Baldwinville Road) report taken; 3:51 p.m.: deliver message(Lakeshore Drive) delivered; 4:42 p.m.: assist citizen (CentralStreet) spoken to; 5:21 p.m.: MV violations (Lincoln Avenue) trafficcitation issued; 7:42 p.m.: officer wanted (walk in) spoken to; 9:11p.m.: MV violations (Spring Street) spoken to; 9:49 p.m.: noise com-plaint (North Ashburnham Road) gone on arrival; 11:15 p.m.: car-bon monoxide incident (Mill Street) no FD service necessary.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

1:20 a.m.: ambulance (Mill Street) transport; 5:59 a.m.: MV stop(Gardner Road) traffic citation issued; 9:56 a.m.: burglar alarm(Converse Drive) checked, secure; 10:34 a.m.: burglar alarm (MapleStreet) checked, secure; 2:22 p.m.: private property tow (CottageStreet) MV towed; 3:21 p.m.: burglary, B&E (East Street) reporttaken; 5:34 p.m.: accident (Glenallen Street) report taken; 6:43 p.m.:general info (area pubs) info taken; 9:46 p.m.: ambulance (SpringStreet) removed to hospital.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

4:21 a.m.: ambulance (Ipswich Drive) transport; 5:06 a.m.: ambu-lance (Baldwinville Road) transport; 7:43 a.m.: MV violations(Gardner Road) traffic citation issued; 7:43 a.m.: fire departmentcall (Central Street) checked, secure; 10:57 a.m.: MV violations(Spring Street) traffic citation issued; 12:43 p.m.: MV violations(Front Street) verbal warning; 12:47 p.m.: burglar alarm(Beachview Drive) false alarm; 1:45 p.m.: general info (walk in) infotaken;

1:45 p.m.: investigation (East Street) info taken; 3:18 p.m.: wiresdown (Alger Street) services rendered; 3;25 p.m.: domestic(Northern Heights) report taken; 3:27 p.m.: threats (Central Street)info taken; 4:50 p.m.: fraud (Winter Place) report taken; 5:02 p.m.:animal complaint (Front Street) refer to ACO; 5:15 p.m.: annoyingphone calls (Central Street) report taken; 5:22 p.m.: ambulance(Kemp Street) removed to hospital; 7:41 p.m.: abandoned 911 call(Ash Street) advised officer; 7:43 p.m.: officer wanted (Polly’s Drive)arrest: juvenile, age 15: assault and battery, A&B with dangerousweapon, vandalize property; 9:55 p.m.: neighbor dispute (BenjaminStreet) report taken; 10:32 p.m.: officer wanted (Hyde Park Drive)report taken.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

7:30 a.m.: FD call (Elm Street) assisted; 8:31 a.m.: ambulance(Central Street) removed to hospital; 10:24 a.m.: animal complaint(Hale Street) gone on arrival; 10:36 a.m.: officer wanted (ElmStreet) spoken to; 11:54 a.m.: investigation (Ash Street) checked,secure; 12:18 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) traffic citation issued;12:19 a.m.: ambulance (Mill Glen Road) removed to hospital; 1:52p.m.: MV violations (Spring Street) summons: JonathanFernandez, age 20, of 175 5th St. #2, Leominster: unlicensed opera-tion of MV, no inspection sticker; 2:16 p.m.: general info (BenjaminStreet) report taken; 4:25 p.m.: summons service (Teel Road)served; 5:34 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Ready Drive) spokento; 5:52 p.m.: disturbance, group (Grove Street) info taken; 6:08p.m.: MV stop (Central Street) traffic citation issued; 6:15 p.m.: MV

stop (Water Street) spoken to; 10:22 p.m.: burglar alarm (SchoolSquare) false alarm; 10:25 p.m.: ambulance (Congress Road)removed to hospital.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

12:01 a.m.: unwanted party (Pond Street) transport; 3:36 a.m.:rape (Banner Place) report taken; 4:45 a.m.: noise complaint (FrontStreet) no PD service necessary; 5:27 a.m.: ambulance (IpswichDrive) removed to hospital; 10:01 a.m.: disturbance (Polly’s Drive)spoken to; 1:18 p.m.: MV violations (Front Street) traffic citationissued; 2:34 p.m.: MV violations (Central Street) arrest: Jacob RyanVaillette, age 20, of 215 Lakeview Drive, Winchendon: operatingMV with registration suspended, uninsured MV; 4:02 p.m.: MVstop (Elmwood Road) traffic citation issued; 4:13 p.m.: MV stop(Maple Street) traffic citation issued; 4:50 p.m.: officer wanted(Spruce Street) spoken to; 5:54 p.m.: ambulance (Spring Street)removed to hospital; 6:11 p.m.: officer wanted (Polly’s Drive) arrest:juvenile arrest, age 15: A&B; 8:42 p.m.: annoying phone calls (PearlDrive) info given; 8:56 p.m.: burglar alarm (Railroad Street)checked, secure; 10:01 p.m.: threats (Happy Hollow Road) spoken to;11:11 p.m.: officer wanted (River Street) report taken; 11:30 p.m.: dis-abled auto (Main Street) spoken to.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

12:49 a.m.: accident (Baldwinville Road) arrest: John F. Smith,age 38, 144 Bridge St., Baldwinville: OUI-liquor, negligent operationof MV; 3:12 a.m.: accident (Baldwinville Road) removed to hospital,summons: William Baldwice, age 40, of 175 Glenallen St.,Winchendon: OUI-liquor fifth offense, negligent operation of MV;4:30 a.m.: burglar alarm (School Street) checked, secure; 7:24 a.m.:burglary, B&E (Grove Street) report taken; 11:04 a.m.: MV viola-tions (Gardner Road) summons: Eugene V. Perley, age 51, of 32Hyde St., Winchendon: operating MV with license revoked; 11:40a.m.: ambulance (School Street) removed to hospital; 12:20 p.m.:MV operating erratically (Glenallen Street) refer to other PD; 12:46p.m.: automatic box alarm (Ash Street) refer to FD; 1:17 p.m.: bur-glar alarm (First Street) false alarm; 2:24 p.m.: road rage (SpringStreet) spoken to; 2:42 p.m.: animal complaint (Brown Street) referto ACO; 3:06 p.m.: MV violations (Front Street) spoken to; 3:39 p.m.:annoying phone calls (Spruce Street) info taken; 4:28 p.m.: MV vio-lations (Main Street) spoken to; 4:40 p.m.: MV violations (CentralStreet) traffic citation issued; 5:44 p.m.: MV violations CentralStreet) traffic citation issued; 5:53 p.m.: MV violations (MapleStreet) traffic citation issued; 7:49 p.m.: disabled auto (High Street)spoken to; 8:05 p.m.: MV violations (Spring Street) spoken to; 8:11p.m.: disabled auto (Gardner Road) spoken to; 8:57 p.m.: MV viola-tions (Central Street) spoken to.

CALENDAR

WINCHENDON COURIER 3Wednesday, March 11, 2009

COURIER CAPSULES

The Winchendon Courier is committedto accuracy in all its news reports.Although numerous safeguards are inplace to ensure accurate reporting,mistakes can occur. Confirmed facterrors will be corrected at the top righthand corner of page three in a timelymanner. If you find a mistake, call(978) 297-0050 during normal businesshours. During non-business hours,leave a message in the editor’s voicemailbox. The editor will return yourphone call. Or contact the editor at thefollowing email: [email protected].

AACCURACYCCURACY

WWAATCHTCH

Beaman’s Live BaitRt. 202, 196 Glenallen St.

(978)297-24958am-7pm daily

NOW HASTropical Fish, Koi

& Goldfish

RABIES CLINICWINCHENDON — A rabies clinic is sched-

uled at the Winchendon Fire DepartmentSaturday, March 14 from noon-2 p.m. Dogsmust be leashed, cats must be in carriers.

FRIENDS OF MUSICWINCHENDON — The Friends of Music

will meet Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in theChorus room at Murdock Middle High School.

PANCAKES AT THEFARM

RUTLAND — Heifer Learning Center atOverlook Farm in Rutland plans Pancakes atthe Farm Saturday, March 14 and 21 9 a.m.-1p.m.

Reserve a seat for Overlook's annualPancakes at the Farm event held at HeiferLearning Center at Overlook Farm. The mealincludes pancakes covered in fresh maplesyrup with a side of Overlook's pork sausage.After breakfast, explore the farm and HeiferGlobal Village, visit the animals or watch themaple sugaring operation.

Reservations are required for this popularbreakfast feast. The meal costs $10 per adult,$5 per child (ages 3-10) and children age twoand younger are free. Heifer Learning Centerat Overlook Farm is located at 216 WachusettSt. in Rutland.

To make reservations, call 508-886-2221 or formore information visit www.heifer.org/over-lookevents.

ADOPTION DAYGARDNER — There will be a St. Patrick's

Day Adoption/Open House Event at theGardner Animal Control Facility, 899 W.Broadway, March 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Raffle tick-ets will be available for several items includ-ing a Garmin nuvi 250 (worth $249). A $1 dona-tion will purchase a paper clover for display.

Buy for a pet, a loved one or in memory ofeither. Baked goods will be on sale. A rabiesclinic for cats and dogs will run from noon-1:30 p.m. Cats must be in carriers, dogs onleashes. Bring most recent rabies certificatefor 3-year vaccination. Cost of vaccination:$10 cash. All proceeds from this event will beapplied to our veterinary bills. For more infor-mation, please call (978) 630-4950.

HOMEBUYER CLASSESGARDNER — The Greater Gardner CDC

will be presenting its First Time HomebuyerCertification Course on March 23, 24 and 25.This, CHAPA certified, course prepares any-one who is considering purchasing a homeand is required by most lending institutions.

The classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. at theCDC office, 246 Central St., Gardner. For moreinformation and to pre-register call (978) 630-2975.

PLAYWINCHENDON — The 21st Century After

School Program in Partnership with theDoors & Windows Theater Company will bepresenting PETER PAN. The play is scheduledto show on Thursday March 26, Friday March27 and Saturday March 28. All shows willbegin at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults andchildren, and senior citizens are free.

To purchase tickets, the students will bebringing home envelopes to place your orderand include your payment. Additional ticketsmay be purchased at the Toy TownElementary School Office.

There will be refreshments on sale in thecafeteria, as well as raffle tickets for a greatdisplay of gift baskets.

TURKEY SUPPERTEMPLETON — East Templeton United

Methodist Church will hold a turkey supperSaturday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. Adults: $8, chil-dren younger than 12: $4 and children youngerthan four, free. For reservations call: (978) 257-9193 or (978) 632-8816.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

ONEONTA, NY — Sara Williams ofWinchendon was named to the dean’s list atHartwick College for the fall term. Williams ismajoring in English. At Hartwick, she hasparticipated in the honors program,Awakening staff, writing club, WRHO radiostation and Hilltops student newspaper.

FUNDRAISERGARDNER — On Tuesday, March 17 from 5-

8 p.m. the Charlie's Angel Relay for Life Teamwill be hosting a Fundraiser at Wendy's onPearson Boulevard in Gardner.

Wendy's will be donating 10% of the pro-ceeds from both dining in and carry out to theRelay For Life!

For more information, please contact Co-Captain Mary Hasselmann at 603-899-6806 [email protected].

Mentoring 101: ThePower of Mentoring!!!

Looking for a volunteer opportunity basedon friendship? Learn about volunteering withthe LUK (Let Us Know) Mentoring Programon Wednesday, March 18 at 4:30 OR 5:15 p.m. atFidelity Bank, 9 Leominster Connecter inLeominster. Hear how you can make a differ-ence in the life of a child by volunteering forONE hour, ONE time per week, for ONE year.To register for this free program please call 1-800-579-0000 and ask for Mentoring Programstaff or email [email protected]. It doesn'ttake special skills to mentor a child - just awillingness to listen, offer encouragement,and share what you've learned about life.

SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW. BECOME AMENTOR.

Winchendon Golden AgersMARCH

11: Meeting at the American Legion at 2 p.m.with Tim Kelley of Comcast.

APRIL

8: Meeting at the American Legion at 2 p.m.with Stacy Curger with the “Medical Bus”13: Foxwoods trip. Leave from the AmericanLegion at 7 a.m.16: The New Dawn Singers.

MAY

13: Meeting at the American Legion at 2 p.m.with Bingo for prizes.14: 4 Aces and Luciano’s trip.31: Birthday party at 1 p.m. at Hidden Hills.

JUNE:

No meeting.10: Foxwoods trip. Leave from the AmericanLegion at 7 a.m.18L 35th Anniversary party for Best of Times.Lots of prizes.

For information or reservations call Gloria at(978) 297-4525.

Community HealthConnections, and House ofPeace and Education (HOPE).

The International Women’sDay is celebrated around theworld. It is to honor ordinarywomen who became makers ofhistory, and encourages womento take an equal foothold withmen in a society. The firstNational Women’s Day washeld in 1909 in the UnitedStates. Other nations soon fol-lowed.

Women’s Red Tent, a grass-roots effort by AlisaStarkweather to have a placewomen gather to honor andshare their lives and historywas a presentation manystopped to enjoy. Starkweathercovered the walls and couchesof the room in red dyed Indianprint cotton throws, and placedseating strategically aroundthe carpets. Women came in tosip tea and share theirthoughts.

Starkweather said the ideafor the Red Tent came from anovel she read and her grass-

roots effort is an attempt tobuild a strong women’s com-munity with the idea the youngcan learn and be mentored bythe older women. Starkweathersaid a yurt, a round, semi-per-manent tent, was constructedin her back yard and it hasbeen fashioned into a place forwomen to meet once a month toshare stories, ideas, and food.Starkweather said the next RedTent will be March 25 inBaldwinville.

Women were encouraged torecycle handbags by bringingin their old bags in exchangefor someone else’s bag.

A Zumba demo class washeld on the auditorium stage,and women of all ages got up toparty and dance. It appearedeveryone was having fun withthe Egyptian like moves on thestage.

There were massages, andchocolate, advice, and morechocolate. There were teas tocalm, and chocolate coveredcoffee beans to wake one up.

Organizers Veronika Pattyand Amanda Grubb brought inpeople from all walks of lifeassociated with women’sissues. There was information

from the American CancerSociety about smoking,melanoma, and other cancers.Non-profit organizations likeJane Doe Inc from theMassachusetts CoalitionAgainst Sexual Assault andDomestic Violence was onhand to share informationabout prevention.

The DA’s office was there toshare information on crimessuch as identity theft and elderabuse.

There were people to demon-strate the art of cranio-sacraltherapy to improve the body’sability to heal and thrive.

There were skin care special-ists, nutrition experts, andfashion advisors to take care ofthe body, and to top it off, therewas a member of theAstronomical Society toremind women of the greateruniverse. Those attending thefair had an afternoon endingwith music and song from thelocal women’s chorus ChairCity Pipers.

It was a successful afternoonfilled with information, relax-ation and lots of decadentchocolate.

WOMEN continued from page 1

Doneen Durling photos

The Zumba Demonstration Class run by Kristen Killay looked like so much fun... it wasn’t exercise at all. Everyone was invitedto participate, and no prior dance experience was necessary.

Gracelyn Currie, age 4, thoroughly enjoyed the Red Tent and the fabrics left tojump into.

John Featherstone demonstrates a yoga posture to some that teach at the Clark Memorial YMCA.


WINCHENDON COURIER

EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Approaching from the side

VIEWSOpinion and commentary from Winchendon and beyond

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: FRANK CHILINSKIEDITOR: RUTH DEAMICIS

I have regretfully found it necessary to with-draw my name from contention for theBoard of Selectmen seat up in May. Quiterecent family issues have arisen making arun (and preparation for a run) for this seatnearly impossible, as I would not be able todevote the time to the job in the upcomingmonths that I feel is required. I will contin-ue with my current town obligations

(Finance Committee and the Green Team),and I hope that I will have an opportunity torun again in the future.I wish to thank everyone that signed my peti-tion to get onto the ballot, and please look forme in the future!!

SINCERELY,JENNIFER GOODALE

Dear Fellow Townsfolk:

Good hunters know enough tokeep themselves down windof their prey. If the approach

is unclear, they may find themselvesmoving meters out of their way soas to come up on the animal from anunexpected side. They keep low,using cover and moving slowly soany prey in the area isn’t startled.Caution is a watchword. If it’s doneright, turkey or venison may just beon the table.

Good politicians learn from theirhunter ancestors. IF they can’t getthemselves in a good position to getwhat they want, they’ll often lay low,regroup, move in a new directionand come up on their problem froma new angle.

Legislation like health care forexample.

The Clintons weren’t very wellversed in hunting. They thoughtthey could lay out their plans in con-cise form, get that information intothe right hands and….full speedahead.

They startled the prey.Does anyone except the framers of

that ill gotten plan remember any ofit? It died a-bornin’ and the info on itnever even made it into the public’shands in any recognizable form.

President Obama, with every-thing else on his very full plate, hashealth care a priority. And he has setdown his many advisors, legislators,even health care professionals and,gasp, health insurance profession-als…to look at the present system.What works? What doesn’t? Andhow are the decisions made?

He’s looking at programs alreadyin place, like the state wide one righthere in Massachusetts. It isn’t per-fect, but it’s working. Other stateshave similar programs. Obama’shealth guild will need to cherry pickthe best from the rest and see whatkind of jam they can get theAmerican public OUT of.

It seems interesting that, in themidst of the Wall Street meltdown,the bank bamboozle and the worldwide business failures that only AIGis an insurance company in trouble.Really? Why is that do you think? Isit because the insurance companies,particularly the health insurancecompanies, are the only ones withany money?

Where did they get it? Us.Yes, we’re exaggerating because of

course the insurance companieshave lost too in the stock marketnosedive…but…

Somehow, when in the first fewmonths of the year the costs of themedications go sky high becausethere is a “deductible” to be metbefore the co-pay kicks in, and eventhe co-pay for a doctor’s visit mightbe hard to scrounge up while stillfilling the gullet of t he heating sys-tem, then the plight of the insur-ance company doesn’t touch theheart much.

We would care if the employeeslost their jobs of course, but wouldwe really cry much if the insurancecompany itself hurt just a little?Didn’t think so.

So the current administration isout hunting. They have a prey in

mind, good, affordable health carefor every citizen of every age andincome level. They may have to zigzag a bit through the forest oflegalese and intentional deadfallcreated by those self same big com-panies who might lose their profitmargin or even their reason to be ifthe hunt is successful. The huntersmight have to set traps themselvesfor elusive parts of the plans as theyaffect certain elements of the popu-lation: the infirm, those with pre-existing conditions, the elderly. Butif they are good hunters, they won’tjust hide in the blind and wait forthe prey to come to them; they’ll bemoving down wind, watching forsnags, on the alert for that prey.

Good hunting, fellas.

LETTERS POLICYLetters to the editor are always welcome, and may be sent to to

[email protected], or The Winchendon Courier, 91Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. Be sure to include a name andresidence. Please refrain from sending letters via fax, and be sure tosupply a home address and phone number to allow for confirmation.Allow at least 48 hours for a response. Letters must be submitted bynoon Friday to ensure publication in the following week’s issue. Every

effort will be made to accommodate late submissions, but inclusion can not be guaranteed.The rules of good taste and libel will, of course, apply to all submissions. Personal attackswill not be published. The editor retains the right to edit all letters.

Still learning after all these yearsLife is supposed to be a series of

learning experiences and so ithas been for me this winter. A

month or so ago, I finally learnedhow to retrieve text messages offmy cell phone. (Apparently, thereare a whole lot of things you can dowith the phone, like take pictures,play games, but I've been blissfully,or not so-blissfully, ignorant foryears).

The freshman who showed mehow to retrieve texts, a few of which,by the day, dated back to October,was gracious enough not to sneer orbe condescending towards me, forwhich I'm grateful.

This past week, a teacher atMurdock showed me the other partof the equation — how to, you know,actually send a text. What a revela-tion! And it didn't take long tounderstand why people use short-hand (4 for...for; b for be) when tex-ting. First, while some plans includeunlimited texting, I guess otherscharge per word, maybe? Maybenot? In any event, they do attach

charges, so being brief is smart andcheaper.

Not everyone is convinced that Iknow what I'm doing. One friendsent a text that began with some-thing like, "I wonder if u will be ableto get this...”

Gee, thanks. Talk about conde-scending and patronizing. Yes, I gotit. I even responded to it, slowly,painstakingly, so slowly, in fact, thatI had to start over a couple timesbecause another thing I learned wasthat you can't text like some peoplehunt-and-peck on a keyboard.You've got to hustle. I'm learning,slowly, but, overall, this has been

pretty cool. A whole new world ofcommunication has opened up forme. Welcome to the 21st century!

Speaking of the 21st century andshifting topics, one of the goals ofthe Obama Administration is tobegin to fund high-speed rail proj-ects in various areas throughout thecountry. There was criticism of aproposed line from Los Angeles toLas Vegas that was supposedlyincluded in the original stimuluspackage, but, first of all, it wasn't inthere, and in any event, it's a veryworthwhile project.

We talk all the time about wantingto reduce dependence on foreign oil.We talk all the time about reducingemissions and making commutingand travel easier and cheaper.

Guess what, folks? High speedrail service, the way it's been done inEurope for a long time, ought to be ano-brainer. It'll take about $45 billionto build that line between LosAngeles and, not Vegas, but SanFrancisco, a distance of 432 miles. $9billion has already been approved

by California voters in bond sales.How can anyone think logically

that this is a bad idea? The projectwill create jobs, ease traffic on thefreeways, reduce emissions...cansomeone really tell me the down-side?

And that should be just the start.In Minnesota, a line betweenMinneapolis and Duluth has been inthe works for years. This one wouldcost about $500 million. Who wantsto argue this is not a worthwhileinvestment?

Name the routes. Chicago toMilwaukee. Miami toTampa/Orlando. Raleigh toCharlotte. And on and on. This is, asa matter of fact, exactly what thefederal government should bedoing. This is a program withabsolutely no downside. Expensive?To be sure, but this is a time whenWashington needs to be bold, nottimid, and so it's good to see a wholelot of money being targeted toimprove rail transportation andlaunch these high speed lines. He

was wrong about a lot, but on this,Mike Dukakis was ahead of histime.

It's also good to see a whole lot ofmoney targeted for the NationalInstitutes of Health. On Monday, thePresident made good on his cam-paign promise to overturn GeorgeBush's restrictions on embryonicstem cell research funding, and notonly will NIH jump back big timeinto the research pool, so will a lot ofother businesses who'll be applyingto state governments for some ofthat largesse. When you talk aboutwanting to cut health care costs, ifany progress can be made in treat-ing, and even curing, diseases likeAlzheimer’s, diabetes, some formsof cancer, and who knows what else,that's a good thing too. A very goodthing.

It sure is refreshing to have aPresident whose priorities are inthe right place, isn't it?

And if you disagree, well, then,just feel free to text. After all, I caneven read and respond to it now!

JERRYCARTON

JOURNEY

OF THE

HEART

WINDS BUFFET BUFFETForbes Magazine once

declared Warren Buffetof Omaha, NE the

world’s richest man. Estimatestoday list him as the secondrichest man, behind a fellowdown there in Mexico.

Warren Buffet is the CEO ofBerkshire Hathaway. The com-pany defies easy descriptionbecause it owns many busi-nesses engaged in a wide variety of produc-tion.

Buffet also defies description. He continuesto live in a house he bought decades ago at aprice in the $30,000 range. For years he contin-ued to drive an old car. He does not choose tobe a “player” in the international Jet Set andhe told his great friends Bill and MelindaGates that he just wasn’t interested in thenitty gritty of giving away billions so could hejust put his in their foundation and they couldhandle that for him.

Perhaps a further quirk were all thoseChristmas cards over the years signed“Warren, Susie and Astrid.” You see Warrenwas married to Susie but lived with her goodfriend Astrid until Susie died. Then Warrenmarried Astrid. Actually, Susie introducedWarren to Astrid when Susie decided to moveto California.

Not only can Warren pick stocks, evidentlyhe is a gold medal picker of women. Howmany of us could expect our wife, worriedthat we might be lonely while she is away, toseek out and introduce us to one of her

friends, who then was encour-aged to move in with us.

I digress.The point I want to make here

is that one of the savviestinvestors of all times managedto lose something in the neigh-borhood of $11 billion in 2008.

This fact enables all of us whoare down a couple thousandbucks, or are worried that we

cannot buy next year’s new car or truck, orhave to ask the kids to take a job waiting tablesso they can still get through college, are allkeeping good company with guys like Warren.

The current recession, which to me feels alot like a depression, has not been an observerof class lines. The rich have seen their non-earned income payments dwindle, the mightymillion dollar babies on Wall Street have seentheir paychecks drop to zero when famousnames in the annals of American businessdisappear from the scene or suddenly are tak-ing marching orders from the U.S.Government.

Buffet has stated (as quoted in the N.Y. DailyNews)

that our “economy will be in shambles in2009, and perhaps longer, before recoveringfrom the reckless lending.”

When a guy like Buffet, known for his greatoptimism, puts that out there for the public toconsider, we all had best take note. Lets keepin mind that although his company’s profitsfell 96% we don’t actually have to take up a col-lection to buy this fellow lunch. All things in

life being relative, Warren is still going toappear in the top five of the wealthiest men inthe world when Forbes gets around to that sur-vey again. In fact, there is probably a greaterlikelihood that Forbes will disappear from thescene than that Warren will be consideredpoor.

Are you wondering what Warren mightadvise you to do if you could afford his advice?Warren’s Berkshire Hathaway in the last 52weeks would have let you buy one share if youhad the $147,000 that it cost. Today you can getone share for the bargain basement price of$78,600. What a deal!

Just put down the paper for a moment andrun to the phone and call your broker. Howmany shares are you planning to buy beforethey go up again sometime in 2050?

I decided a long time ago that I couldn’tafford a share of Warren’s stock so I make apractice of reading everything he has to say.When I know what he is thinking about anindustry, I look pretty seriously at that indus-try and try to find an affordable investment.So when Warren, often called the Oracle ofOmaha or the Sage of Omaha, tells me theeconomy is in a shambles, I look for non-stockinvestments.

One naturally considers gold. Everybodytells you to buy some gold. If you have goldand the world goes kaput you can tradearound with some cavemen or other humansroaming the earth.

Well, I checked with Warren on that ideaonly to find that around 1998 Warren wasspeaking at Harvard and some bright young

Wall Street bound investment-banker-to-bewore his ignorance on his sleeve and askedthe question I planned to ask: how about gold?

Buffet’s comments, related in many a news-paper then and later:

“Gold is non productive. It gets dug out ofthe ground in Africa or someplace. Then wemelt it down, dig another hole, bury it againand pay people to stand around guarding it. Ithas no utility.”

I pause here because I am running out tosell my supply of gold.

Shortly thereafter I will have to dismiss theguards I had standing around to guard it andthey, in turn, will increase the unemploymentnumbers that the White House will announcenext week.

And so the world continues to rotate on heraxis, Buffet continues to look for new invest-ments while he is buffeted by the same illwind that now blows on us all, and each of ustries to guess when it will be the best time toreenter the market.

Unless by market you are referring to thelocal grocery store, I suggest you sit tight for awhile.

For readers interested in reading moreabout Warren Buffet, I strongly recommendthe new book : The Snowball: Warren Buffetand the Business of Life.

Readers can access more of Jack Blair'swritings on his internet blog:

blair-notes.blogspot.com

JACK BLAIR

NOTES OFCONCERN


2009 watershed photo contest opensREGION — The Millers River Watershed Council announces

the opening of the Otter River and watershed photo contest.Residents of the Otter River watershed towns of Templeton,Winchendon, Hubbardston and the city of Gardner are eligibleto submit up to three print images focusing on either the OtterRiver and its tributaries, or the watershed itself. There is alsoa category for youth aged 12 and over. All images must bereceived by June 20 to be entered in the contest. The completesubmission guidelines can be viewed on the MRWC website: goto www.millersriver.net and click on Millers River WatershedCouncil. To request a written copy call MRWC at (978) 248-9491.

Gift certificates from local businesses will be awarded to thetop entries in each category selected by a panel of judgesincluding noted nature photographers Paul Rezendes of Athol,Bill Fournier of Gardner and Bill Byrne of Petersham. Aphoto exhibition of all selected images will open Oct. 4 at theLevi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner.

The MRWC hopes the photo contest and exhibition will

inspire Otter River watershed residents to explore,appreciate and help protect the Otter River (one oftwo main tributaries to the Millers River) and itssurrounding watershed of 60 square miles. Thephoto contest and exhibition are part of the OtterRiver Initiative, created by MRWC to monitor waterquality, highlight the river’s beneficial uses, workwith local communities to address serious waterquality problems, and educate the public.

The Otter River begins in Hubbardston abovePitcherville Road and meanders north through wet-lands into Templeton. Templeton Brook,Hubbardston Brook and Pond Brook all empty intothe Otter as it flows north, forming the boundarybetween Gardner and Templeton. The Otter Riverflows through the extensive wetlands of the OtterRiver State Forest before emptying into the MillersRiver in Winchendon.

The shop is arranged with multi-ple nooks and crannies wheretreasures both vintage and neware presented in an eye-catchingarray.

The shop is small, and there ismuch to see that cannot be takenin the first time around.

Lavoie welcomes local artisanswho set up their art and goods intheir own little sections of theshop. Donna Allen is a local artistthat produces photographs, water-colors, and pastels of the area’sbounteous beauty. She also pro-duces pen and ink drawings ofdogs.

“I like to meet the dogs first,”she said. “It gives me a sense oftheir character I like to show inthe drawings. I am a dog person,and dog people know every doghas a special character.”

The seasonal beauty of theFitzwilliam area is shown inAllen’s photos and paintings.Allen creates cards and calendars,and is constantly finding newmediums for her work. She is cur-rently working on a method totransfer her photographs to cloth.

Jean McNary is an old friend ofLavoie’s from Princeton. Lavoiewas familiar with McNary’s cre-ative sewing and asked her if shewould like to sell it on consign-ment through the ItinerantPeddler. McNary has created quilt-ed tea cozies, wall hangings, pock-etbooks and more using her tal-ents with a needle and thread. Herpride is the one of a kind pin cush-ions she creates from recycledmaterials such as hand fired claydishes and old blue glass insula-tors. Her corner is filled withprimitive art and needle workboth antique, and her own.

Janice Lashua creates beautifulpins and art using an art calledneedle felting. Lashua explainedthat needle felting uses specialbarbed needles to adhere thefibers of an appliqué to a base fab-ric to create a permanent design.The in-and-out motion of the nee-

dles provides a very localized ver-sion of the same type of agitationthat happens in a washingmachine. The small size of theneedles allows the artist to createvery detailed and intricatedesigns.

Lashua has created fashion pinsfor every season and celebration.There are fall leaves and pump-kins, Christmas designs, springwhite rabbits with tiny pink ears,roses, colorful fish, and more.

Lashua has also created one of akind pocket books using theprocess of knitting and shockingthe wool to create a beautiful andfunctional handbag. Lashua saysshe buys local wool from localfarmers, spins her own yarn, anduses colorful dyes for each individ-ual piece. Every pocketbook islined in satin with matching col-ors. Lashua also creates beautifuland colorful hats and clogs using

the same felting process. Her cre-ations are not limited to one sec-tion, but are found throughout theshop.

Charlotte Menninger is anotherartist working with multiple medi-ums. Menninger began creatingbees wax candles after visitingWilliamsburg and noted howmuch the tourist area charged fortheir candles. She began to makeher own multi colored bees waxcandles in 1990, and can stillcharge less than the overpricedtourist traps.

Menninger put her needle andthread to work to create beautifuland funky fashion scarves, thenew rage.

Her scarves, called FancifulScarves, come with a sales pitch:“Embellish yourself by addingsparkle and glitter to you.”

Each creation is covered withglitter and sequins that reflect the

light in rainbows of color.Menninger chooses flowing fabric,and has kept her finger on thepulse of what is on the streets inNew York.

“Animal fabrics are real popularright now,” she said while point-ing to a zebra print scarf andanother leopard print.

Menninger said the scarves arebig sellers at the Cape.

Another creation is blanketsmade of the softest materialsguaranteed to lull a baby to sleep.Menninger said she used to weave,but gave up the art for a quickerfinished product. The blanketscome in many colors.

Menninger also creates hookedpins in the form of flowers andhas fashioned beautiful clothespin bags from vintage cloth to beused by those who have gone backto the natural way of dryingclothes on a line.

Other artists have placed theircreations on consignment at theItinerant Peddler. Lavoie said sheand her husband Tom began theshop three years ago with 78 con-signers. Currently more than 300consigners are connected to thesmall shop, and those who came toshare their work last week seemedthrilled with the arrangement.Lavoie offers consigners 60 per-cent of the final cost for the itemsconsigned. She said because of thecurrent financial upheaval andthe lessening of the carbon foot-print many are looking to recycletheir things for money.

Lavoie said the gently useditems in the shop are presented ina clean and eye-catching way, andpeople seemed pleasantly sur-prised when walking in the door,telling her they expected a dustytag sale. Lavoie said the extensiveinventory is constantly changing.Customers are greeted with thescent of candles, soft music, and a“Welcome” as soon as they stepinto the shop. It begins the positiveadventure of shopping for unique,new and gently used furniture,vintage clothing, new and vintagejewelry, and a wide and eclecticchoice of home décor including

French primitive, country,Victorian, and traditional. Thereis crystal to drink from, and crys-tal to light the room. There arepiggy banks, strollers, rugs, teasets, autographed books, candleholders, beer steins, pans, pewter,porcelain dolls, rocking chairs,sleds, cook books, baskets andmore, both new and used for everyshoppers tastes.

Lavoie speaks highly of all thepeople that have come into her lifein the last three years because ofthe store. She said the store hasprovided her with lifetime friend-ships, and has also provided anoutlet for many local artists.

“This store has become a com-munity connector for everyone,”she said proudly.

Lavoie was a teacher in theSterling school system. She madethe choice to purchase the storewhen the previous owner had tosell for health reasons. Lavoie wascommuting to Sterling and toldher students of the opportunityshe said was a dream. When shedecided to retire and purchase thestore, they gave her a sign thatsaid, “Don’t dream your life…liveyour dreams.”

The little shop has moved alongwith the times, supporting recy-cling and customers feeling thepinch of cut backs.

Lavoie said, “In the last year, wehave witnessed a recession mak-ing it most difficult for our cus-tomers financially. We have alwayskept our prices very affordable,but now we also offer a layawayplan to help customers to be ableto make their purchase, and makepayments on a weekly basis.”

Being a person who loves the lit-tle details, Lavoie places a finish-ing touch on purchases by decorat-ing the bag with ribbons and flow-ers for a final artistic touch to theshopping experience.

The Itinerant Peddler is openWednesday through Saturday 10a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Formore information call (603) 585-7185.

SHOP continued from page 1

Owner Pam Lavoie in her store The Itinerant Peddler is nestled in a little shop on thecorner of routes 12 and 119 in Fitzwilliam.

One of the scenic vistas on the watershed includes this area at the convergenceof the Otter River and Trout Brook.


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“Keeping You Warm Since 1989.”

BY JANE RIPLEYDIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

In education, with the approach of spring,comes the bulk of the MassachusettsComprehensive Assessment System. TheMCAS was initiated to meet the require-ments of the Education Reform Act of 1993,which states that the MCAS must be admin-istered to all public school students inMassachusetts. Some of the MCAS testingactually starts well before spring and runs tothe end of the school year with the biologytest for grades 9 and 10 given at the beginningof February and ending with thescience/technology and engineering given tohigh school students at the beginning ofJune.

Originally the MCAS was designed to beadministered to students in Grades 4, 7 and10 in English/language arts and math. It hassince evolved to include testing inhistory/social science and science/technolo-gy and engineering and has extended acrossgrades 3 through 10.

The MCAS tests include:• ELA long composition for grades 4, 7

and10.• ELA reading comprehension for

grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10.• Biology for students in grades 9 and

10 who have completed a biology course orwho have not passed the science/technologyand engineering exam.

• Math for students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8 and 10.

• Science/technology and engineeringfor students in grades 5 and 8.

• High school science/technology andengineering for students in grades 9-11 whohave not passed the science exam and need ahigh school diploma.

• History and social science for stu-

dents in grades 5 and 7.• U.S. history for students in grades 10

and 11 who have completed courses in U.S.history I and II.

• MELA-O (Massachusetts EnglishLanguage Assessment-Oral) which is givento students with limited English proficiencyto assess proficiency in listening and speak-ing.

• MEPA-R-W (Massachusetts EnglishProficiency Assessment-Reading andWriting) which assesses students with limit-ed English proficiency in reading and writ-ing.

• MCAS Alternative which is given tostudents with significant disabilities.

Due to financial constraints the stateBoard of Elementary and SecondaryEducation has voted to waive for at least twoyears the history and social science gradua-tion requirement.

There are four types of questions that yourchild will encounter on the MCAS:

1. Writing prompts appear on the ELA longcomposition and require students to respondby creating a written composition based on agiven prompt.

2. Multiple choice questions are on allMCAS tests except the ELA long composi-tion.

3. Short answer questions are only onmath MCAS and require students to generatea brief response.

4. Open response questions are on allMCAS except the ELA long composition andrequire students to create a one or two para-graph response or generate the answer in theform of a chart, table, diagram, illustrationor graph.

All questions on the MCAS are based onthe Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworkswhich are the broad skills and knowledge

that students are expected to acquirethroughout their academic career. Eachschool district is required to align their stan-dards to the Massachusetts CurriculumFrameworks.

Some tests, or portions of tests, are scoredby machine while others, such as the ELAlong composition, must be scored by peoplewho have been trained to do the scoring.Even though the MCAS is given in the spring,results are not available to us until fall. Theresults of the MCAS not only determine, atgrade 10, if a student will get a high schooldiploma but also influence the funding thatour school district receives.

Each MCAS test item goes through alengthy process to ensure that it is appropri-ate as a test question. When your child takesthe MCAS, his friend sitting next to him mayhave a different version of the test. There areseveral reasons for this, one of which is tominimize cheating on the test. Within thetest are questions that don’t count towardsyour child’s MCAS score but are being fieldtested to see if they hold up to the criteria tobe an MCAS test item. Test items that counttowards a student’s score on the MCAS arenot used again on any other MCAS test.

MCAS testing has a major impact on therunning of a school. A good deal of planninggoes into scheduling the testing, distributingthe testing, administering the tests, collect-ing the tests and preparing the testing forshipping so that they can be scored. Everytest and all of the accompanying materialsmust be collected and accounted for. It takestime and effort on everyone’s part to admin-ister the MCAS. Parents can do their part bymaking sure your child is well rested, has agood breakfast and is prepared to take thesetests seriously and do their best.

MCAS 101LEARNINGMES Student

Recognition Awards: FEBRUARY COOPERATION AWARD

Kindergarten: Alexia Allard, IsabellaRuschioni-Epps, Nicholas Billings, LaurenDonovan, Sarah Branch, Vivian BeauvaisMichaud, Ryan Mikels, Ahreeana Kelly,Madison Murphy, Alexander Lemieux,Dustin Wazal, Cassie Zoldak

1st Grade: Mohrei Castro-Cintron, PrestonThitakham, Dominyque Conley, ShaunStewart, Timothy Jinn, Aidan Gauthier,Brook Tenney, Corbin Ringwood, PhylDeleon, Caitlin Waid, Faith Tousignant,Paityn Duffy, Amber Flagg, Caleb Vogel

2nd Grade: Jeffrey Jones, SamanthaBertrand, Jacquelyn O’Brien, Emily LaBarge,Taylor Anderson, Soren Hansen, MeganHoule, Mia Miranda, Ariana Dietz, JeremyDiaz, Mayling Tedstone, Aidan Bourque,Isabelle Costa, Andrew Lyons

3rd Grade: Lauren Gaunt, Joshua Ramsay,Annabelle Carr, Nicholas Blair, MaggieLashua, Emily Semenza, Tiana Taylor, JadenAyers, Ryan Forgues, Austin Barrows,Thomas Sutherland, Victoria St. Hilaire

110% CLUB

Kindergarten: Anthony Nelson, TylerFarnsworth, Abigail Sohl, Limeily Pagan,Michelle Rodriguez, Brendan Gaudette,Allyson Bujold, Camden Gould, LexisVautour

1st Grade: Hunter Menard, Isabella Fisher,Joseph Williams, Dakota Anderson, RossO’Toole, Thomas Porter, Natalie Dokulil,Brandon Newbrough

2nd Grade: Camryn Souza, Shelby Duval,Taylor Goguen, John Sweeney, RosaneDelorme, Joseph Pridgen, Julia Shelly,Michael Calabrese

3rd Grade: Alex Lafrennie, Ethan King,Michael Stevenson, Alexis Arsenault,Hannah Morse, Jessie Nolette

NEWTON — Rachel Murphy and AshleyConnor, both of Winchendon, have beennamed to the dean’s list at Mount Ida College.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

LEARNING BRIEFS

GFA OPENS NEW ASHBURNHAM BRANCH

ASHBURNHAM — GFA Federal CreditUnion recently opened its newest branch at 35Main St. in Ashburnham. The Credit Unionhad operated a temporary branch at 55 MainSt. since August 2008, while construction ofthe permanent location took place. The newbranch represents GFA’s eigthth location.

To celebrate the grand opening, theAshburnham branch has planned multipleevents throughout March. Each Saturday willoffer an event as follows:

March 14, 11 a.m.: ID Theft Seminar. Learnhow you can protect your identity. RSVP byMarch 11.

March 21, 11 a.m.: Animal Adventures pres-entation. Bring the whole family to meet avariety of our animal friends.

March 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Grand Openingparty & dedication of the Charles P. BowlesCommunity Conference Room. Stop by forrefreshments, giveaways, and our secondchance drawing. Dedication is at 11 a.m.

GFA members, as well as the public, areinvited to visit the new branch, partake in theactivities, and learn more about the CreditUnion.

GFA Federal Credit Union is a full servicecommunity financial institution serving cen-tral Massachusetts and southern NewHampshire. Branch locations are in

Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Gardner,Hubbardston, Rindge, Rutland andWinchendon. Visit gfafcu.com for more infor-mation.

More than 97 percent of residents have health insurance

BOSTON—The Patrick Administrationannounced the results of a new survey findingthat more than 97 percent of Massachusettsresidents have health insurance. Only 2.6 per-cent of state residents remain uninsured. Theresults of the new survey, which shows thatnearly ever major demographic group is with-in a few percentage points of full coverage,reflect the ongoing successful implementationof health care reform.

The report, Health Insurance Coverage inMassachusetts: Estimates from the 2008Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey,shows only about 167,000 people did not havecoverage at the time of the survey, which wasconducted between June and August 2008.These new data suggest that uninsurance hascontinued to drop in Massachusetts since2007, when the U.S. Census Bureau’s currentpopulation survey found that Massachusettshad the lowest insurance rate in the countryat about 95 percent.

“Massachusetts has succeeded in coveringthe uninsured at an amazing rate,” saidSecretary of Health and Human Services Dr.

JudyAnn Bigby. “Massachusetts now has boththe lowest rate of uninsurance in the countryand a rate that is less than half that of thenext lowest state. The results also show thatwe have covered nearly every child in theCommonwealth. This is a remarkable achieve-ment, and Massachusetts has already begunto see the benefits.”

Sarah Iselin, commissioner of the Divisionof Health Care Finance and Policy added,“These survey results are a clear endorsementof our approach to covering the uninsured butalso point to the critical need to tackle theunsustainable growth in health care costs inorder to protect the progress we have made.”

The study, conducted by the independentUrban Institute, indicates that insurance cov-erage is high for Massachusetts residents atall income levels, ranging from 95 percent forthose with family income under 300 percent ofthe federal poverty level to nearly all of thosewith income above 500 percent of the federalpoverty level.

The survey results show that nearly all eld-erly adults (>99 percent) and children (>98percent) are insured, as are more than 96 per-cent of non-elderly adults ages 19 to 64.Looking more closely at the non-elderly adultswho are most likely to be uninsured, the sur-vey shows uninsurance is highest amongHispanic residents at 13 percent. In contrast,the uninsurance rate for white, non-Hispanicresidents is three percent. Eighty-three per-cent of survey respondents said they are

aware of the individual mandate underMassachusetts’ health care reform initiative,which requires that most adults obtain insur-ance. Seventy-five percent said they supportthe state’s health reform efforts, up from 64percent supporting health reform in 2006.

The survey, which was available in English,Spanish, and Portuguese, was completed by4,910 households. The margin of error forthese estimates is less than +/-1 percentagepoint. The full report, Health InsuranceCoverage in Massachusetts: Estimates fromthe 2008 Massachusetts Health InsuranceSurvey, is available online atwww.mass.gov/dhcfp.

About the Division of Health Care Financeand Policy

The mission of the Division of Health CareFinance and Policy is to improve the deliveryand financing of health care by providinginformation, developing policies and promot-ing efficiencies that benefit the people ofMassachusetts. The Division’s goals includeassuring the availability of relevant healthcare delivery system data to meet the needs ofhealth care purchasers, providers, consumersand policy-makers; advising and informingdecision-makers in the development of healthcare policies; developing health care pricingpolicies that support the cost-effective pro-curement of high-quality services for publicbeneficiaries; and improving access to healthcare for low-income uninsured and underin-sured residents.

ture. It was on the job training for sure, a reallearning experience for both of them.

“I learned to wholesale it, to auction it, andthought I had a good idea what people wanted,”Coderre said. “I learned the hard way.”

First, he said, he trusted when he shouldn’thave, and purchased a semi full of furnitureonly to find his wares were made of paperinstead of wood. He also found that many cus-tomers wanted matching sets, not one of a kindpieces.

“We learned construction, we learned the fac-tories even in other countries. Most upholsteredfurniture is still made in the United States,” saidCoderre, “But the good wood, China is a greatsource; it’s better quality at a better price.”

And before people complain too much aboutthose imports, Coderre reminds people thoughthe manufacturing may be overseas, there arestill many jobs associated with the industryincluding transportation, warehousing, distri-bution and, as is his case, retail sales.

“It creates jobs here too,” he said. “In China,they still treat the creation of furniture as alabor of love; they love working with the wood.”

Coderre also said shipping to the US meantplaces like Vietnam now have viable ports andshipping companies to accommodate the goods.

Kerri Galiano took up the narrative, sayingshe and Jon took seriously the attendance at thefour furniture wholesale shows per year.

“We consider ourselves professional buyers atthis point,” Galiano said.

She pointed around the multi-roomed but spa-cious home of their business, “We are able toprovide good quality at low overhead like someof the better known stores.”

She mentions well known retailers Jordan’sand Bernie & Phyl’s.

“But we can do even better because we don’thave the coffee bar and big walled viewingscreen. We’re here to sell furniture. Period.”

Coderre said it was important for customersto know the turnover was fast at their store.

“We are constantly renewing selections.”Galiano added, “We try to stay current with

colors, new woods, styles. It’s my favorite part.”Coderre then made reference to the small

staff, just himself, Galiano and a helper or two,that meant there was no high pressure salespitch.

“There is no commission, no pressure to ‘sell’you what you don’t want just to make a sale. Wereally would never want to do that. We’d ratheryou’d browse, and come back.”

Galiano added, “We like to think we’re edu-

cating you. And if we don’t have what you want,we feel better being able to send you elsewhere.”

Galiano said it was also important that bothshe and Coderre were New England born andbred, because there were just certain regionalfeatures they of which they were aware.

“Deeper drawers. New England clothes areheavier, you need room for the sweaters andsweats and we need deep drawers. You have toknow your customer,” she said.

New to the store is more design consulting,and more accessories, bedding and design ele-ments.

“We have had people come in with a pillowthey love and want to design a room around it,really,” Galiano laughed. “We can do that. Wenow offer upholstery choices, window treat-ments, bedding. It’s fun to know your customerand find ways to help them make their homeswhat they want them to be.”

Coderre agreed. “We want to make it easy. Wehave rugs, more accessories. We want to providestyle and design at affordable prices.”

“Some people,” said Galiano, “just don’t knowhow to do that…put it together. So we offer pack-age plans with everything someone needs liketables and lamps; bedding and comforters in anine piece package that includes the skirt, com-forter and shams. And the quality is really bet-ter than some of the big kitchen and bath stores,with the prices really reasonable.”

Coderre returned to the idea of having arelaxed, convivial atmosphere allowing a cus-tomer to browse without interference.

“We encourage browsers. It’s the best way tosee new styles, maybe find something you didn’t

know you would like. We’re the owners, thebringers and the salespeople. We’re here to help,not hinder.”

Xena, the boxer mix who has been patientlystanding or laying nearby, watching her ownersand everyone else with what can only be afriendly smile, is part of the store fixtures.Coderre said leaving her home was “out of thequestion. She loves it here, is a real people lover.She accepts treats and is our best no hassle, nopressure salesperson.”

Galiano said they were expanding slowly,bringing more youth and baby furniture intothe store as it has been called for; and is espe-cially proud of the all organic line of both fur-niture and baby bedding now available.

“We like the green fabrics, and so do our cus-

tomers,” she said.Galiano said she joined Coderre just five years

ago, when she fell in love with Jon, then with thefurniture industry. She is happy here, as are thetwo sons, aged 14 and 12, and the othermenagerie of pets at their home. She said theyare happy to be in Winchendon, and are gladthey are able to give back, by sponsoring LittleLeague and Pop Warner teams, providing waterbottles and donate whenever they can.

The store at 702 School St. is open Mondays 10a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday through Friday 10 a.m.-6p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The store is closed Tuesday andWednesday. For information call (978) 297-0775 orlog on to jonandkerri.com.

FAMILY continued from page 1

Ruth DeAmicis photo

Kerri Galiano and Jon Coderre with Xena, a boxermix who makes it her business to meet and greetevery customer.


Carriage House 660 Spring Street, Winchendon ~ (978) 297-1089

Wednesday ~ Tour of ItalyYour choice of any 2 Italian favorites for $24.99

Includes salad and bottle of wine ~ Dine in comfort

Thursday ~ Two for $22.00

Any two dinners on our menu just for you two.Great menu selection ~ Dine in comfort

Friday ~ Seafood Combo Night $9.99

Shrimp, Chicken Tenders, Scallops, Fish, Crab Cakes, Clam StripsFish & chips and all that stuff ~ Taste of the sea for you and me.

Sunday ~ Brunch $11.99

Perfect jumbo brunch 9-1 especially for you. All your favorites priced right.Includes All Breakfast items, Carving station, Seafood, Dessert and much more. ~ Dine in comfort

Kiwanis of Winchendon St. Patrick’s DayMarch 17 • 5pm - closing $17.00 per person

Buffet w/Irish specialties, Irish step dancers 6:30-7:30pmTickets available from Kiwanis members/at the door

PROJECT MANAGERArchitectural and design advice.

Subcontractor recommendations.

Residential or Commercial

40 years in the trades, your choice ofcontractors- we will manage your jobwhile you work.

Complete supervision of all aspectsof construction work. I will make sure allwork meets bld. code, or exceeds. Jobwill be done to your specifications.Daily inspections, with written jobreports, and photos. Notification ofdeviations in contract, or material sub-stitutions. Management for all size jobs,thousands to millions. General contract-ing also available. Resume and licensenumber available upon request. Forcontracting or project management.

Contact: PAUL W. RICE14 Joslin Rd., Winchendon, MA

Cell (978)660-8056 Home (978)297-1147

BY MARY C. BARCLAYROYALSTON – The Ladies’

Benevolent Society of Royalston hasannounced plans to commemorateSt. Patrick’s Day with a traditionalcorned beef dinner and Pot’O’Golddrawing on Saturday, March 14 begin-ning at 6 p.m. in the Royalston TownHall. Proceeds will benefit theSociety’s Village School CapitalCampaign Commitment.

Dinner will feature delicious andtender red corned beef from Adams’Farm in Athol, with traditionalboiled root vegetables and cabbage,homemade desserts, and hot and cold

beverages. At the conclusion of thesupper, a drawing for a pot of 100brand new presidential gold dollarswill be held. All meal ticket holderswill be entered into the drawing;additional chances will be availablethe night of the supper for $1 each.

Meal tickets are $12/adults and$5/child. The meal will be served fam-ily style, and to-go dinners will beavailable (advance ticket sales only)at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available fromany Society member, from the VillageSchool, Royalston General Store andby calling (978) 249-2598. There areonly 100 eat-in and 20 take out tickets

available.The Ladies’ Benevolent Society of

Royalston is in its 185th year of con-tinuous service to the town ofRoyalston and beyond. Funds raisedthroughout the year go towardsscholarships, charitable organiza-tions, and to support communityservice activities.

The group has committed to raise$6,000 over three years for the VillageSchool Capital Campaign Fund,which will be used to construct a per-manent campus for the independentday school. The Society will enjoynaming rights to the school’s entry-

way vestibule for their efforts. Theconstruction project is currentlyunderway on Route 68 at the top ofRoyalston’s south village, on the for-mer Camp Caravan for Childrenland.

The Village School currentlyserves approximately 60 preschoolthrough sixth grade students, severalof whom are from Winchendon andabutting communities. Lessons focuson kindness and contact with the nat-ural world. Hands-on learning inmulti-aged classrooms is the rule.The new school building will allowfor some additional students,

although the intent is to remain asmall learning community, with ahigh level of teacher attention to eachstudent.

More information about theLadies’ Society of Royalston is avail-able from President Laurie M.Deveneau at (978) 249-5807. Details onthe Village School, its new campusand capital campaign are availablefrom Director Rise Richardson at(978) 249-3505 or at www.vil-lageschool.to.

Dinner and drawing in Royalston

American Legion helps with meat raffle

Logan Huff won a massive amount of hamburger during theAmerican Legion Meat Raffle last week, and said he intendedto use the meat for lots and lots of tacos.

Lisa Gauthier shows off he 10 plus pound lobster won at themeat raffle. Husband Kevin Gauthier said it was tasty.

The American Legion Post 193 donated $950 to Bill Barbour in support ofhis election to State Commander. Barbour told the members they were hisstaunchest supporters.

The number of students from each membercommunity enrolled is divided by the totalschool enrollment on Oct. 1, 2008 to equal theoperating ratio. As an example, the numberof Winchendon students at Monty Tech onthat date was 135. That number is divided bythe total Monty Tech student population ofthat date: 1,352. The portion of the founda-tion budget for which Winchendon would beresponsible would be: .099852 or 9.99 percent.

The capital assessment is based on thenumber of students from each member com-munity enrolled in grades 1-12 divided bythe total number of students enrolled ingrades 1-12 of 18 member communities. Thetotal Winchendon students enrolled ingrades 1-12 on Oct. 1, 2008 was 1,827. Thetotal enrollment of 18 member communitiesin grades 1-12 on the same date was 27,135.Therefore, Winchendon’s capital assessmentwould be .0673 or 6.73 percent.

School business manager Tammy LaJoiedid a further breakdown of the state formu-la for technical vocational schools, but theinformation was not made available to thepress.

MONTY TECH continued from page 1


Legion members of Post 193 came out in support of the State American Legion ViceCommander Bill Barbour, currently running for State Commander. Here Barbour holds alobster worth $93 raffled off at the end of the evening. Standing with Barbour are thosewho helped in the fundraising effort for Barbour. They are Buddy Gilbert, Post 193Commander Kevin Gauthier, Ken LaBrack, Butch Coderre, Mark Desmarais, John Durling,David Johnson, Scott


SEND OBITUARIES at no charge to Editor Ruth DeAmicis, by fax-ing (978) 297-2177, or by e-mailing the editor [email protected].

We also invite funeral directors and families to e-mail us aJPEG photograph to print, at no cost, alongside the obituary.

OBITUARIES

WINCHENDON — Mildred E. (Patria)Jacobs, age 79, formerly of 130 Ipswich Drive,died March 4 in Leo P. LaChance Center inGardner.

She was the wife of the late Leo Jacobs, whodied April 18, 2007. She leaves three sons:Robert Penney of Winchendon, StephenPenney of Gardner and Edward Raymond ofTempleton; a daughter, Judy Drouin ofGardner; and a daughter predeceased her:Susan Johnson of West Townsend. She also

leaves a brother, Reggie Patria of Gardner andseveral grandchildren and great grandchil-dren.

She was born in Fitzwilliam, daughter ofEdward and Bessie (Lee) Patria.

There are no calling hours, and servicesand burial will be in the MassachusettsVeterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendonon Thursday, March 12 at 11 a.m.

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster,directed arrangements.

Ronald Arthur Boyd, 77LEOMINSTER — Ronald Arthur Boyd, age

77, of Krysiak Avenue, Fitchburg, died March2 in Health Alliance Leominster Hospital.

He was born Feb. 23, 1932, in Cambridge,son of Philip A. and Eleanor L. (Bourk) Boyd.He served in the United States Army duringthe Korean War and retired from the ArmyReserves after 30 years.

Mr. Boyd worked for the city of Quincyschool system. He was also a foster parent formore than 30 children. He was a devoted hus-band, father, and grandfather.

Mr. Boyd was a member of the RetiredMen's Bowling League in Fitchburg, andenjoyed playing horseshoes, bocce, camping,and flea markets. He was an avid collector ofwar and eagle paraphernalia. He was also anavid reader.

He was predeceased by his son, JosephParrott in 1982. He leaves his wife of 26 years,Mary Ann (Renaud) Parrott-Boyd; four sons,

Peter Boyd and his wife Karen of Whitman,Wally Boyd of Whitman, James Parrott andhis wife Rose of Winchendon, and Robert T.Parrott of Fitchburg; four daughters, CherylAnn Galway and her husband Glenn ofFlorida, Paulette Gaines and her husbandGeorge of Atlanta, GA, Loretta Gratta of Hull,and Mary Beth Boyd of Randolph; two broth-ers, Larry "Buddy" Boyd and his wife Judy ofHalifax and Massachusetts, and Kenny Boydand his wife Linda of Scituate; one sister,Shirley Garland and her husband Jack ofEverett; 19 grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

The committal service with military honorswas held March 4 at the MassachusettsVeterans' Memorial Cemetery, 11 GlenallenSt., Winchendon.

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 WanoosnocRoad, Fitchburg directed arrangements

Marion M. (Curavoo) Alger Mallow, 90WINCHENDON — Marion

M. (Curavoo) Alger Mallow,age 90, of 16 Ready Drive diedMarch 1 at Wachusett ManorNursing Home in Gardnerafter an illness.

Marion was born inHinesburg, VT on Aug. 18,1918, daughter of Edward J.

and Myrtle B. (Flemings) Curavoo and lived inMoncton, VT before moving to Winchendon in1992.

She was predeceased by her first husband,Fred Alger and her second husband, WilliamMallow. She worked for many years as ahousekeeper at various hotels and had alsoworked for the former General Electric Co. inFitchburg and Simmons Manufacturing Co.

in Vermont Marion enjoyed reading, dancing, fishing

and farming and she loved to be with otherpeople.

She leaves one son, Ronald F. Alger ofWinchendon; two daughters: Marlene Hoag ofEssex Junction, VT and Marsha Blais ofWaterbury, VT; two brothers: Melvin Curavooof Rutland, VT and Everett Curavoo of EssexJunction, VT; 17 grandchildren and 27 greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by oneson, Arland Alger.

It being her request, no funeral service isplanned. There are no calling hours.Arrangements are by Lamoureux-FletcherCommunity Funeral Home(fletcherfuneral.com), 105 Central St.,Gardner.

Robert Eden Hall, 73ARCADIA, FL — Robert

Eden Hall, age 73, passedaway on Feb. 23 at his home inArcadia, Florida. He wasborn to Dr F. Earle Hall andBetty Florang Hall in 1935 inWinchendon.

He leaves his wife Elizabeth(Beth) of Arcadia; two sons:

Mark & Keith Hall; a stepdaughter, CherylMoses of Big Pine Key, FL; his sister, PatriciaHafeli of Alpharetta, GA; one nephew andtwo nieces.

He was a 1953 graduate of Murdock HighSchool in Winchendon, and a 1960 graduate of

Boston University. He also studied Hungarianat the U.S. Army Language School inMonterrey, CA, while in the service.

He was a long-time sales representative forthe dental branch of Johnson & Johnson.

After retirement, he went on to graduatefrom the Police Academy in Port CharlotteFL, and had a nine year second career as a cor-rections officer in the Florida Penal System.

Arrangement are being handled byAmerican Heritage Cremation Society ofHoliday, Fl.

Interment will be held at a later date in thefamily plot in Winchendon.

Mildred E. (Patria) Jacobs, 79

WINCHENDON — Lindo Piermattei, age80, of Winchendon, died March 2 in HeywoodHospital following an illness.

Lindo was born in Milford son of Guerinoand Justina (Manoni) Piermattei, and lived inWinchendon for many years. Lindo served inthe United States Marine Corps for four years.He was a graduate of Murdock High School.His beloved wife Jean Ann (Devens)Piermatei died in 1989.

Lindo worked for the former S. BentBrothers Company in Gardner for 29 years.He will be remembered as a kind heartedman, a loving father and devoted husband.

Lindo leaves two sons: Michael A.Piermattei and his wife Dianne ofWinchendon, and David J. Piermattei and hiswife Lisa, of Charlestown, RI; one brother,Dante Piermattei of Worcester, one sister

Nedina Koldys ofWinchendon, and three grand-children David Piermattei. Jr,Tanya Marie Peirmattei, andTaryn Lynn Piermattei, all ofCharlestown, RI.

Committal Prayers inRiverside cemetery were pri-vate and at the convenience of the family.There were no calling hours. In lieu of flow-ers, donations in Lindo’s memeory may bemade to the American Cancer Society, 30Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701

To sign the online guestbook for Lindoplease visit our website at www.fletcherfuner-al.com. Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, 70Pleasant St., Winchendon is assisting the fam-ily with arrangements.

Lindo Piermattei, 80

Edward D. Lewis Sr., 72WINCHENDON — Edward

D. Lewis Sr., age 72, ofWinchendon, died unexpect-edly March 5 in HeywoodHospital.

Edward was born inTewksbury on Aug. 29, 1936,and has lived in Winchendonmost of his life. He was

employed by General Electric Co. inFitchburg for almost 30 years, and prior to hisretirement managed Minnotte ClevelandCorp. until 1997. Edward married his belovedwife Marion I. (Higgins) Lewis on Aug.30,1958, and together they shared 50 wonderfulyears. To celebrate their anniversary, theyenjoyed a wonderful trip to Las Vegas, NVwith the entire family.

Edward was an avid golfer. He was a mem-ber at the Winchendon Country Club since1976. He served his country in the UnitedStates Navy from 1954 to 1957 on the Jack W.Wilke, EDE800 stationed in Key West, FL. Hewas a long time member of the AmericanLegion Eugene M. Connors Post 193 and theRod & Gun Club of Winchendon and theEagles Club of Sebring, FL. He also enjoyedfishing, hunting and traveling the world visit-

ing Japan, Norway, Sweden,Spain, Portugal, Taiwan,France, Germany, Switzerland,Mexico, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia,Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo,Cuba and numerous destina-tions within the United States.

Edward will be sadly missedby his bride Marion I. (Higgins) Lewis, onedaughter, Janet M. Shea and her husbandRobert of Winchendon, and four grandchil-dren; Andrea L. Pancholi and her husbandRaj of Fitchburg, Nathan E. Dulfon ofWinchendon, Cassie M. Cloutier of Jaffrey,and Lily A. LeBlanc of Winchendon. He alsohad one great-granddaughter, Jamie M.Cloutier of Jaffrey. He was predeceased by hisson Edward D. Lewis Jr. in 1982.

Burial services will be at Calvary Cemetery,Glenallen Street, Winchendon, on May 15 at 1p.m. There are no calling hours.

To sign the online guestbook for Edwardplease visit our website at www.fletcherfuner-al.com. Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, 70Pleasant St., Winchendon is honored to beassisting the family with arrangements.

Leon H. Shaw, 83GARDNER – Leon H. Shaw,

age 83, of 59 Eastwood Circledied peacefully March 6 inHeywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Worcesteron Oct. 30,1925, the son ofHenry C. and Doris M.(George) Shaw and lived inmany towns in Worcester

County throughout his life.Leon was a self-employed oil burner techni-

cian for many years. He had previously drivenan oil truck for C.K. Smith Co. in Worcester.He also had worked as a chimney sweep. Leonhad been an auctioneer and antique dealerand had a passion for finishing antiques. Alover of music and being very musicallyinclined, Leon enjoyed entertaining people.He self taught himself the piano, accordion,guitar, banjo and harmonica. He loved to singand sang in the choir of the OakdaleMethodist Church at one time. Leon also lovedfishing and playing horseshoes. He was anavid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Leon had a try-out in the Boston Braves farm system in hisearlier years.

Leon proudly served in the United StatesNavy during World War II. He was awardedthe Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal,Asiatic Pacific Medal and PhilippineLiberation Medal.

He leaves ten children: Leon H. “Chip”Shaw Jr., Bruce E. Shaw of Baldwinville,David E. Shaw and his wife Lori of Longview,

WA, Cheryl Ann Garvick andher husband Bruce ofGardner, Debra J. Guitare andher husband Michael ofGardner, Judy Lynn Hawkeand her husband Andy ofWinchendon, William J. Shawof Gardner, John F. Shaw andhis wife Gail of Petersham, Tina L. Cormierof Gardner and Kimberly G. Treshinsky andher husband Jon of Gardner; one sister, DorisStevens of West Boylston; one brother,Edward Shaw of Florida; a son-in-law, ArchieArchambeault of Minnesota; a brother-in-law,Earl Clemence of Sterling, 34 grandchildren,36 great grandchildren and several nephewsand nieces. He was predeceased by a daughter,Bonnie Lee Archambeault, who died lastAugust and a sister, Mildred Clemence.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March13 at 10 a.m. in the Snow-Ladeau FuneralHome (snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central Street,Winchendon. The Rev. Kerry Twing will offi-ciate.

Burial, with military honors, will be in theMassachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery,Winchendon.

Calling hours in the funeral home will beThursday, March 12 from 5-8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to theAmerican Lung Association ofMassachusetts, 460 Totten Pond Road Suite400, Waltham, MA 02451.

the BOS requesting authorizationto borrow against the town’s stabi-lization fund up to $900,000 to meetexpenses until state funding isreceived by the town. Bousquetexplained the cherry sheet fundingand the excise tax funds shouldarrive soon, but expenses do notwait for the revenue. Especially ofconcern is the school buildingbond due in March of more than$1.8 million. A portion of this bondis paid by the state, but a large por-tion of it must be paid by the town.

Kreidler commended the moveby Bousquet, saying though bor-rowing against the town’s ownfunds might lose a bit of earnedinterest, a larger savings would berealized than if the town had toborrow at the current rate of 3.25percent.

“This,” said Selectman BurtonGould, “Is why we are wise to keep

our stabilization steady. It servesus well.”

Kreidler announced two majormeetings in Winchendon in thenext three weeks. The first, onMonday, March 16 at 10 a.m. in thetown hall auditorium, is a publichearing on public safety budgets.Attending the meeting will bemembers of the House Ways &Means Committee, some 20Representatives in all, and publicsafety officials from across thestate. Kreidler said local state Rep.Robert Rice was responsible for sit-ing the meeting in Winchendonand, “It’s an honor to be selected asthe site.”

On March 27, a second majormeeting will begin at 1 p.m. andwill bring together local manufac-turing representatives, managersand owners with state legislatorsand Congressman John Olver in around table discussion of the needsof local firms and how to keepthose firms in business. A project

begun by Saloom Furniture, amajor employer in Winchendon,the focus will be on not only bring-ing other business to north centralMassachusetts, but how to bestretain and support existing busi-ness.

OTHER BUSINESSA moment of silence was held for

Edward Lewis, a very active com-munity activist most recently amember of the Transfer StationStudy Committee. Lewis died lastThursday.

Lewis’ son-in-law, Robert Sheawas named to the Transfer StationStudy Committee, and he said hewas honored to carry on the work.

Renee Eldredge was appointed asa Library Trustee.

Red Bird Auto Sales, formerly thesite of Patterson Chevrolet, wasgranted a Class II permit. The busi-ness will sell used cars and contin-ue to service vehicles.

Kreidler awarded his “kudos” toGerry Valliere, who has voluntari-

ly kept the parking lots around thetown hall free of snow all winter.

Vice Chairman Mark Shea, whoran the meeting in the absence ofChairman Keith Barrows, present-ed a proposed policy to fellowSelectmen fro review. The policyconcerns ways to recognize bothvolunteers and staff in an ongoingprogram.

Kreidler reported on theprogress of the FY10 budget (Slow,and frustrating) but wanted to com-mend town Accountant CharlotteNoponen, “It has been a pleasure towork with her, she is quick andaccurate. The BOS did an outstand-ing job in selecting her and mywork is eased,” said Kreidler.

Kreidler gave an update on hisgoals and objectives, includingattracting business to town (partic-ularly citing work done by theRedevelopment Authority) includ-ing negotiations with a civil engi-neering firm as a second tenant onthe Rte. 140 site and the request for

proposals now underway for anoth-er site on Franklin Street. TheAtomic Pellet Company will beerecting a metal building on aFranklin Street site within amonth. The WRA is in negotiationwith a current manufacturer inWinchendon to relocate to the Rte.140 site.

In an attempt to improve thequality of life, another objective,Kreidler announced creation of aGreen Team with JenniferGoodale, Alex Magay, AnnMcGrath, Ruth DeAmicis and DonPodesta as members. The team willbe charged with finding ways toboth save resources and work withexisting and potential programs tomake the town more environmen-tally friendly.

Finally, Kreidler provided a poli-cy for his office addressing howmail will be handled and creating asystem for reminding both the BOSand himself to be more timely inhandling requests.

FUNDING continued from page 1

WINCHENDON COURIER 9

SPORTSSPORTSLow spirits go lower on the ice in districts

BY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER

ASHBURNHAM — It was difficultto pinpoint what was missing fromthe Blue Devil’s first district playoffgame against Littleton, but onething for sure, the spirit was notthere.

Murdock-Athol fans were loudand proud until the last buzzer, buttheir cries of “Let’s go Murdock”were not enough to infuse the teamwith the spirit it needed to get evenone point on the board, and so theBlue Devils played their last gameand left the ice quietly as theLittleton Tigers pulled out an 11-0final score, and advanced in theCentral Mass Division 3ATournament. It seemed too easy.

In the first minute of play,Murdock’s #23 Keith Cullen trippedup Littleton’s Jack Wilkerson, and apenalty was called. Wilkerson wasawarded a penalty shot, but goal ten-der Aaron Gesner’s right glovestopped the shot, and the crowdwent wild. The next play stopped thecrowd cold as Wilkerson slipped itpast Gesner into the corner of thenet. Even Littleton seemed sur-prised they had a first goal with13:43 to go in the first period.

The game slipped away for theDevils as Littleton kept the puck inthe Murdock territory, with twice asmany shots at goal. With 5:19 left onthe clock in the first period, theTigers’ Kevin Wilkerson scoredtheir second goal. In a little over aminute, he scored the third goal asBlue Devil Dustin McCaw sat in thepenalty box. With 41 seconds left onthe clock Littleton’s Luke Turchettaadded salt to the wound by slippingthe puck past Gesner and it was 4-0

at the end of the first period.In the second period, with 12:38 on

the clock, Littleton’s Jack Wilkersonscored again. With 5:34 left on theclock and McCaw back in the penal-ty box, Jack Wilkerson found anoth-er break and scored giving Littletona 6-0 lead over the Blue Devils withtwo times the shots on goal.

With 3:20 left in the second period,and Murdock’s Ray Eyles in thepenalty box, Littleton’s BrianTrainor put another puck away, andit was 7-0 Littleton.

It was a massacre throughout thethird period. Eyles was removedfrom the ice for checking.

Murdock was just trying to find a

break to get onthe board so the game wasn’t a com-plete shut out. Tim Niles thought hefinally got the puck past Littletongoal tender Kevin Dargin in the lastminutes of the game, but wasunaware the official blew a whistleto end the play. When Niles realizedhis goal didn’t count, he threw hisarms in the air and banged his stickon the ice. The official penalizedhim and he was out until the lastminute of the game. The third peri-od brought four more goals for theTigers, and the team moved up tothe next district playoff againstFitchburg. During the winter schoolsports award ceremony held on

Thursday last week, Coach RobertCoulombe spoke highly of the teamthat won the Russell ConferenceChampionship with a record of 10-0.

He thanked assistant coachesMike Sevigny and Jeff Ladeau.

He told the team and the parentsthat last year had been a terribleyear. He had worked to bring Atholinto the program to build it. He apol-ogized for last year saying he hadpersonal issues he hoped did notaffect the team

“If they did, I want to apologize. Ilove this team, I love these kids.”

“I love you too coach,” said BrettFronte. ”A lot.”

Coulombe said he wanted to make

the team a family.“We’re in this together,” he said.

“We’re not going to let one game,yesterdays game, ruin a great sea-son. You win, and you lose. That’spart of the game. It’s a game.”

Coulombe said he hoped athleteswould be able to connect in years tocome as he connects with those heplayed high school hockey withyears ago.

“We made districts this year, andwe can do it again,” he told his ath-letes. “It’s not about the name on theback of the shirt, it’s about the nameon the front. I’m really proud of thisteam.”


Above: The crowd was enthused, and tried its best to conveythat to the team. Right: A faceoff on the ice between MurdockAthol and Littleton.

Winter sports athletes feted

BY JERRY CARTONSPECIAL TO THE COURIER

WINCHENDON — The boys’ varsity basket-ball team and the varsity ice hockey team bothadvanced to the post season, and the cheerteam made it to Regionals, so the mood wascelebratory at last week's Murdock MiddleHigh school winter sports award night.

"It was a remarkable season," reflected prin-cipal Nick DeSimone. "We are so proud ofthese student-athletes. who did so well all win-ter."

Athletics, DeSimone reminded, "teacheskids how to adjust, how to strategize. It's amaz-ing that so often the kids adapt and adjust bet-ter than we adults do."

He called Assistant Athletic Director PeterAntonellis, "a comforting sight", and thankedeveryone who worked behind the scenes tomake the season successful, citing the effortsof athletic department secretary DebConnelly, "who's been great", and MikeMcDonald, "who does all he can, because hecan" for the program.

And DeSimone thanked the MurdockBoosters for "their continued support".

Antonellis noted, "Nothing gives me greaterpleasure than to be here with you kids whowork so hard," adding "and the Boosters havejust been awesome."

Coaches, too, expressed pride in their wholeteams and lauded their Most Valuable Playersindividually.

"We started off very green," said cheercoach Marcy Deardon. "But through hardwork and desire and dedication, we finishedsecond in our league competition at Milfordand grew as a team all season."

She spoke of Most Valuable Player JocelynGoodwin by saying, "I thought for some rea-son that she was going to be shy, but by the

fourth practice, she was the one leading thestretching, and pushing the whole team to doeverything they needed to do. She was justgreat."

Girls’ basketball Coach Dennis Suprenantsaid, "As a first year coach here, I have to saythe staff was simply outstanding. They madeit easier for me."

Of Most Valuable Player Ashley Perry,Suprenant remarked, "Ashley was our leader— she's been our best player for a couple yearsnow, even though I wasn't here before, and shehad a great season again. But I have to say thatall these girls were an absolute joy to workwith."

Boys Coach Aaron Laliberte said of histeam's MVP, senior Glen Spellman, "he dideverything you could want on the court —shot, rebounded, played good defense, and wasa 3-year starter as well."

"We had so many contributions from somany people and won those 10 games to get usinto Districts and that was a great accom-plishment for the kids. We're really proud ofthem, even though we lost to a really goodteam in Districts."

Track Coach Alan Hallquist observed thatboys MVP, senior Will Lary, "led by example.He never had to say all that much, he just dideverything right and set a new school recordtoo."

As for girls track MVP Molly Martorella?"Molly had another phenomenal season. Sheset a school record. She took 25 seconds offher old best time. She finished 15th in thewhole state in the 2-mile. What else can yousay?”

Hallquist said his team had "a really goodseason with an average sized team." with fiveindividual qualifiers for states "and we cameclose to seven when Jonah Parilla missed by

one one-hundredth of a second, and BekahWheeler, who was the points leader, justmissed when a runner behind her in a raceshe was leading stepped on her."

Ice hockey Coach Bob Coulmbe said hewould save his remarks for his team meeting,jokingly noting, "we're all pretty weird any-way."

But in a serious vein, he said he'd have beenhappy with a 5-5 Russell Conference record.Instead, the Blue Devils ran the table to finish10-0, and "really, I went home and cried." saidCoulmbe, whose team's perfect conferencemark enabled them to play in the post seasonas well.

In addition, the girls’ junior varsity basket-ball team took gold for their overall 3.14 gradepoint average while the girls indoor trackteam also secured gold with a 3.04 GPA. Thegold awards go to teams whose cumulativeaverage is 3.0 or higher.

Winter awards winners were:Boys’ Basketball MVP: Glen Spellman; Blue

Devil award: Dan Brunelle, Mike Quist; AllStars: Dylan Muse, Quist.

Girls’ Basketball MVP: Ashley Perry;Coaches Award: Amanda LeClair, and CaylaClinkscale; All Stars: Perry, LeClair

Ice Hockey MVP: Tim Niles; MostImproved: Tim Shiebler; Coaches Award:Brett Fronte`: All-Stars: Niles, Fronte`,Shiebler, Shawn Tule.

Track MVPs: Will Lary (boys), MollyMartorella (girls); Most Improved: EthanGorecki; Coaches Award : Bekah Wheeler,Seamus Fitzpatrick Rys; All Stars: Lary,Martorella, Jenn Skawski

Cheering MVP: Jocelyn Goodwin; MostImproved: Hali Maillet; Coaches Award:Bethany Deardon; Spirit Award: AmyBrunelle; All Stars: Goodwin, Deardon, Kaylie

Garceau.And while winter awards were handed out

on Thursday, spring sports gets underwaywith this evening's registration night also at 6p.m. in the school auditorium.

SPORTS BRIEF

REGISTRATIONNIGHT

Murdock Middle-High School's springsports registration night gets underway thisevening at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium andeven those athletes who are already signed upare urged to attend.

Students interested in signing up to playbaseball or softball or run track will be able todo so tonight.

Varsity coaches Matt LaPointe (baseball),Dan Tenney (softball), and Alan Hallquist(track) are expected to be on hand to discusstheir programs.

User fee payment plans can also bearranged. For a student playing their firstsport this school year, the cost is $245, downfrom $275 a year ago, and anyone who playeda fall or winter sport gets the reduced rate of$200.

Team practices begin next Monday, March16.

More information can be obtained from theschool at 978 - 297 - 1256.


The girls’ basketball team won the regional sportsmanship award. Very proud of the Russell Conference win is the hockey team.


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EarthTalkTM From the Editors of E/The Environmental MagazineDear EarthTalk: What’s hap-

pening with wild populations ofcheetahs, the fastest land animalson Earth?

-- EDUARDO RAMIREZ,BRAINTREE, MA

Due to its plight in recentdecades, the cheetah, which canreach speeds of 70 miles per hour,is considered one of the world’smost endangered species by theConvention of International Tradein Endangered Species.

A hundred years ago some100,000 wild cheetahs inhabited 44or more countries throughoutAfrica and Asia. According to theCheetah Conservation Fund, aNamibia-based non-profit organi-zation, today the species exists inonly two dozen of those coun-tries—including areas of NorthAfrica, the Sahel, East Africa andsouthern Africa—with worldwidepopulation numbers now between12,000 and 15,000 individuals livingin small groups. In addition, about150-200 of the fast cats live in thewild in Iran (where they are knownas the Asiatic Cheetah), their fore-bears having been brought in fromAfrica in the early 20th century.

The chief threats to the cheetah’sexistence are loss of habitat,poaching and hunting (their hideand trophies can command top dol-lar), and getting shot by livestockfarmers. Decline of gazelles, wilde-beests, impalas and other preferredprey species (also due to huntingand habitat loss) is a factor, too.

According to CCF, throughoutAfrica cheetah numbers are dwin-

dling even within protectedwildlife reserves due to increasedcompetition from other largerpredators like lions and hyenas. Asa result, most protected areas areunable to maintain viable cheetahpopulations, so individual catstend to fan out beyond wildlifereserves, placing them in greaterdanger of conflict with humans.Those cheetahs that do survive inthe wild come from a smaller, lessdiverse gene pool, leaving themsusceptible to disease and preda-tion in their own right.Furthermore, captive breeding hasproven tricky, and wildlife biolo-gists are not optimistic that suchefforts can have a measurable posi-tive impact on the cheetah’s future.

Cheetahs have lean bodies, longlegs, a large heart and expansivelungs. And with these featurescome additional speed; perhapsthis is why the cheetah is oftenreferred to as the “greyhound” ofthe cats. In fact, some say a cheetahlooks like a “dog with a cat’s head.”But with weaker jaws and smallerteeth than other large predators,cheetahs have difficulty protectingtheir kills, let alone their own cubs.This has meant that populationnumbers for wild cheetahs arefalling faster than for other bigcats.

The cheetah’s future may lookdim, but conservationists havebeen working to lessen the declinein some areas. For instance, CCFbegan educating livestock farmersaround Namibia in the early 1990sabout how to prevent cheetahsfrom preying on their livestock

without resorting to the rifle. As aresult of these education efforts,along with stronger enforcement ofendangered species and anti-poaching laws, cheetah popula-tions in that country stabilized—now some 2,500-3,000 cheetahsmake their home in Namibia—after having fallen to half that theprevious decade. Clearly more suchefforts are needed.

CONTACTS: CheetahConservation Fund, www.chee-tah.org; Convention ofInternational Trade in EndangeredSpecies (CITES), www.cites.org.

Dear EarthTalk: Don’t all thesehuge snow and ice storms across thecountry mean that the globe isn’treally warming? I've never seensuch a winter!

-- MARK FRANKLIN,HELENA, MT

On the surface it certainly canappear that way. But just becausesome of us are suffering through aparticularly cold and snowy winterdoesn’t refute the fact that theglobe is warming as we continue topump carbon dioxide and othergreenhouse gases into the atmos-phere.

According to the NationalAeronautics and SpaceAdministration, the 10 warmestyears on record have occurredsince 1997. And the NationalAtmospheric and OceanographicAdministration reports that recentdecades have been the warmestsince at least around 1000 AD, and

that the warming we’ve seen sincethe late 19th century is unprece-dented over the last 1,000 years.

“You can’t tell much about theclimate or where it’s headed byfocusing on a particularly frigidday, or season, or year, even,”writes Eoin O’Carroll of theChristian Science Monitor. “It’s allin the long-term trends,” concursDr. Gavin Schmidt, a climatologistat NASA’s Goddard Institute forSpace Studies.

Most scientists agree that weneed to differentiate betweenweather and climate. The NOAAdefines climate as the average ofweather over at least a 30-year peri-od. So periodic aberrations—likethe harsh winter storms ravagingthe Southeast and other parts ofthe country this winter—do notcall the science of human-inducedglobal warming into question.

The flip side of the question, ofcourse, is whether global warmingis at least partly to blame for espe-cially harsh winter weather. As wepointed out in a recent EarthTalkcolumn, warmer temperatures inthe winter of 2006 caused Lake Erieto not freeze for the first time in itshistory. This actually led toincreased snowfalls because moreevaporating water from the lakewas available for precipitation.

But while more extreme weatherevents of all kinds—from snow-storms to hurricanes to droughts—are likely side effects of a climatein transition, most scientists main-tain that any year-to-year variationin weather cannot be linked direct-ly to either a warming or cooling

climate.Even most global warming skep-

tics agree that a specific cold snapor freak storm doesn’t have anybearing on whether or not the cli-mate problem is real. One suchskeptic, Jimmy Hogan of theRational Environmentalist websitewrites, “If we are throwing outanecdotal evidence that refutesglobal warming we must at thesame time throw out anecdotal evi-dence that supports it.” He citesenvironmental groups holding upHurricane Katrina as proof ofglobal warming as one example ofthe latter.

If nothing else, we should allkeep in mind that every time weturn up the thermostat this winterto combat the cold, we are con-tributing to global warming byconsuming more fossil fuel power.Until we can shift our economyover to greener energy sources,global warming will be a problem,regardless of how warm or cold itis outside.

CONTACTS: NASA,www.nasa.gov; NOAA,www.noaa.gov.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTALQUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk,c/o E/The EnvironmentalMagazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport,CT 06881; submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail:[email protected]. Readpast columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

Commonwealth of MassachusettsThe Trial Court

Probate and Family CourtWORCESTER Division

Docket No. WO93P0487GI1To all persons interested in:

Ronald E. GuilesNOTICE OF GUARDIAN/

CONSERVATOR ACCOUNTYou are hereby notified pursuant to Mass.

R. Civ. P. Rule 72 that the Second account(s)of, the guardian/conservator, of the propertyof the above named ward has/have beenpresented to said Court for allowance

If you desire to preserve your right to filean objection to said account(s), you or yourattorney must file a written appearance insaid court at Worcester on or before the03/31/2009, the return day of this citation.You may upon written request by registered

or certified mail to the fiduciary, or to theattorney for the fiduciary, obtain without costa copy of said account(s). If you desire toobject to any item of said account(s), youmust, in addition to filing a written appear-ance as aforesaid, file within thirty (30) daysafter said return day or within such other timeas the Court upon motion may order a writtenstatement of each such item together withthe grounds for each objection thereto, a

copy to be served upon the fiduciary pur-suant to Mass. R. Civ. P. Rule 5.

WITNESS, Hon. Denise L. Meagher, FirstJustice of this Court.Date: February 27, 2009.

Stephen G. AbrahamRegister of Probate

March 11, 2009

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MassWildlifeBEARS AND BIRDFEEDERS

If you feed birds and live in northernMiddlesex County, Worcester County, orwestern Massachusetts, it’s time to thinkabout removing bird feeders before bearsemerge from hibernation. With the snowmelting and longer day length, bears are willsoon be leaving their winter dens. To avoidpossible seasonal conflicts between peopleand bears in central and westernMassachusetts, the Division of Fisheries andWildlife (MassWildlife) is issuing its seasonalreminder that bird feeders should be takendown by mid-March and other preventivesteps be taken.

"There is little in the way of natural foodsand bears learn to seek out high-energyhuman foods such as bird seed," says JimCardoza, MassWildlife bear project leader."This may lead to conflicts that pose hazardsto both bears and people."

Massachusetts is home to approximately3,000 resident bears, with the majority livingwest of the Connecticut River. Bears alsoreside as far east as Worcester County and innorthern Middlesex County.

Bears have excellent long-term memoriesand remember which foods are available atdifferent seasons, as well as where thesefoods can be found. Even if a feeder is inac-cessible to bears, they will be attracted by thescent of seed and suet. Once they learn thelocation of these foods, bears will return.Bears are typically shy and fearful of people,but deliberate feeding or indirect availabilityof human food, coupled with a lack ofharassment can cause bears to become accus-tomed to people. If bears lose their fear ofpeople and develop a taste for human food-stuffs, bears can become bolder and maycause damage that ultimately results inharm to people or to the demise of the ani-mal.

If a bear is passing through a neighbor-hood without stopping, enjoy the sight.However, if the bear stops to feed on trash,birdseed, or other human generated foods,remove those foods after the bear has left andadvise neighbors to do the same. Due to theirfear of people, bears tend to leave a yardwhen people step outside and make noise.Keep garbage in airtight containers, securelystored in a cellar, garage, or shed. Put trash atroadside the day of trash pickup, not the pre-vious evening. Keep doors to sheds and barnslatched or locked to prevent bears from find-ing grain, sweet, or meaty foods. Refrainfrom feeding pets outdoors. Do not depositsweet or meaty items in compost piles, asbears will soon find them. In residentialareas where bears are known to be present,the entire neighborhood must take recom-mended actions or bears will move from yardto yard seeking food. Cardoza noted that tak-ing these actions also reduces problems withother common wildlife species such as coy-otes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. For moreblack bear information, go tohttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_bears.htm.

SHARE THE FUN OF FISHING, BECOMEAN INSTRUCTOR

If you have an interest in fishing and enjoysharing this fun and relaxing activity withothers, consider becoming a volunteerinstructor with the MassWildlife angler edu-cation program. Volunteer instructors arecommitted and enthusiastic outdoorsmenand women (15 years or older) who want topass on the traditions, ethics and excitementof fishing and outdoor activities to beginnersof all ages. The free instructor training work-shop will take place on Saturday, March 21 atMassWildlife’s Field Headquarters inWestborough 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lunch andsnacks will be provided. Though the trainingis free, pre-registration is required and amaximum number of 15 participants will beaccepted. To register, contact Jim Lagacy,program coordinator at (508) 389-6309 [email protected].

This training session is specificallydesigned for people who can work as part of ateam to teach fishing techniques, how tochoose appropriate fishing equipment, ethicsand laws, safety tips and aquatic ecology.Upon completion of the training, partici-pants will be considered certified angler edu-cation program instructors in-training withMassWildlife. Instructors are asked to partic-ipate in teaching fishing skills at fishing clin-ics and weekend family fishing events. Aminimum annual commitment of 10 hours isexpected of volunteer instructors.

2010 WILDLIFE STAMP COMPETI-TIONS NOW OPEN

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheriesand Wildlife is asking interested wildlifeartists to consider entering one or more of itsthree 2010 wildlife stamp competitions. Each

year, MassWildlife issues three wildlife recre-ation-related stamps: an archery stamp, aprimitive firearms stamp, and a waterfowlstamp. Income from the sale of these stampssupports wildlife research as well as theacquisition and management of key habitatareas. All three of the stamps feature art-work selected through competitions open toartists anywhere in the country. There is nocost to submit entries. Rules and regulationsfor the competitions are posted atwww.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/stamp_info.htm. The deadlinefor entries to the archery and primitivefirearms stamp competition is May 31; dead-line for the waterfowl stamp is June 1.

Wildlife stamps play an important wildlifemanagement role in Massachusetts, generat-ing about $300,000 annually. These funds areused to enhance critical wildlife habitat. Allof the stamps are issued both in full-colorhard copy and in a black-and-white stampedversion for those who opt to purchase theirlicenses online. The stamps are required oflicensed hunters who hunt deer during thearchery or primitive firearms season orhunters pursuing migratory birds. Highlycollectible for many hunters, these stampsare also sought by other conservationists andstamp collectors.

Through these competitions, theMassWildlife obtains the right to produce thedesignated stamp featuring the winning art-work. The artist retains ownership of the art-work and the right to sell prints, which are ofspecific interest to members of conservationorganizations such as the MassachusettsBowhunters' Association, Ducks Unlimited,and beyond.

Complete sets of all three stamps are ondisplay at MassWildlife's Field Headquartersin Westborough. Collectors wishing to pur-chase stamps from past years should callMary Cavaliere in the MassWildlife Bostonoffice at (617) 626-1577. The Peabody EssexMuseum in Salem has a limited quantity ofwaterfowl stamps and stamp sets availablefor collectors. The Massachusetts WaterfowlStamps and Prints, a loose-leaf binder with adetailed history of the waterfowl stamp pro-gram from its inception to the present waspublished by the Peabody Essex Museum andis available for purchase. Contact theMuseum at www.pem.org or call (978) 744-3390.

Information and regulations governing thethree stamp competitions can be found atwww.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/stamp_info.htm or by callingJill Durand at (508) 389-6301. For more detailson the stamp competitions, contact EllieHorwitz at [email protected] orcall(508) 389-6305.

LATE WINTER ICE SAFETY

As the winter months come to a close, thevariable temperatures experienced in thestate in the past week means the condition ofice on the Bay State's water bodies is unpre-dictable and could be treacherous. Outdoorenthusiasts need to play it safe and check icecarefully before venturing onto ice-coveredwaters. An ice strength table is posted on theagency website athttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recre-ation/ice_safety.htm. Clear, blue ice is thestrongest ice. Slush or snow (white) ice isonly one-half the strength of blue ice and canbe very treacherous. "Honeycombed" ice,which occurs in the spring or during majorwinter thaws as the ice is melting, is the mostdangerous ice. This type of ice is best avoid-ed unless you are certain there is a safe layerof solid ice beneath the honeycombed sur-face.

Assess ice safety by using an ice chisel tochop a hole in the ice to determine its thick-ness and condition. Make sure you continueto do this as you go further out on to the ice,because the thickness of the ice will not beuniform all over the pond or lake. Be awarethat ice tends to be thinner on lakes andponds where there are spring holes, inlets oroutlets. Don't venture on to ice-bound riversor streams because the currents make icethickness unpredictable.

What if you fall through the ice? As withany emergency, don't panic! Briefly call forhelp. It doesn't take long for the cold water tostart slowing your physical and mental func-tions, so you must act quickly. Air willremain trapped in your clothes for a shorttime, aiding your buoyancy. Kick your legswhile grasping for firm ice. Try to pull yourbody up using "ice pins" that should be hang-ing around your neck. Once your torso is onfirm ice, roll towards thicker ice. This willbetter distribute your weight. Rememberthat ice you have previously walked onshould be the safest. After you reach safe ice,don't waste precious time because you needto warm up quickly to prevent hypothermia.Go to the nearest fishing shanty, warm car, orhouse. Don't drive home in wet clothes!

If a companion falls through the iceremember the phrase "Reach-Throw-Go." Ifyou are unable to reach your friend, throwhim or her a rope, jumper cables, treebranch, or other object. If this does not work,go for help before you also become a victim.Pet owners should keep pets on a leash. If apet falls through the ice do not attempt to res-cue the pet, go for help. Well-meaning petowners can too easily become victims them-selves when trying to save their pets.

REMEMBER ENDANGERED SPECIESON YOUR STATE TAX FORM

How can you raise birds, hatch turtles, andgrow flowers with nothing but paper andink? Join the thousands of in-the-know peo-ple who use their state tax form to make a bigdifference for rare species in Massachusetts!

Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers ofForm 1 have had the option of donating to theNatural Heritage & Endangered SpeciesFund when filing their state income tax (Line32a: “Endangered Wildlife Conservation”),and tens of thousands of people have done soover the years. All contributions go directlyinto the Fund, currently the source of a sig-nificant portion of the annual operatingbudget of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage &Endangered Species Program, which con-serves and protects endangered species andtheir habitats in Massachusetts.

Over 20,000 tax filers support the programwith almost $200,000 in critically-importantdonations each year. Won’t you join them?With your contributions to the Fund, youdirectly help to study, protect, and restorerare and endangered animals and plants andtheir habitats. If you have made contribu-tions in this manner, thank you for support-ing the Program and its conservation efforts!Past donations have helped restore popula-tions and conserve and maintain habitat forbald eagles, Hessel's hairstreak butterflies,northern red-bellied cooters, and the beauti-ful eastern silvery aster. Direct contribu-tions to the fund can also be made by sendinga check payable to the Natural Heritage &Endangered Species Fund to: NaturalHeritage & Endangered Species Program,Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough,MA 01581.

2009 SPRING TROUT ALLOCATIONS

Bay State anglers can look forward to morethan 518,000 feisty brook, brown, rainbowand tiger trout being stocked this springaccording to figures released byMassWildlife. Stocking will begin when ice,snow and mud conditions allow the 2-tonDistrict tank trucks access to the waterways.Anglers are advised to contact the Districtoffice for updates on when stocking willbegin in the area.

“We’ll be putting out 289,000 rainbow troutthat will average 12 inches or longer, andabout 75 percent of these rainbows will be 14inches or larger,” observes Chief FishCulturist Dr. Ken Simmons. “They’ll be dis-tributed statewide throughout the stockingseason by our five regional Wildlife Districtoffices.”

More than 50,000 brown trout in the 12-inchcategory will be stocked along with another90,000 browns in the 6–11 inch range. Thelarger water bodies will receive the largerfish and the smaller brooks and streams willreceive the majority of the smaller-sized fish.Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fash-ion with approximately 8,000 fish measuringa foot or better, and more than 75,000 in the6–11 inch class. Anglers can also anticipate

trying to tame some of the 3,000 tiger trout tobe released, all topping the 14-inch mark.These handsome fish, a cross between afemale brown trout and a male brook trout,have become popular with folks luckyenough to hook and land one.

For a listing of trout stocked waters ordetails on weekly trout stocking activitiesvisit the MassWildlife weblink athttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recre-ation/fishing/stocking_information.htmorcall the nearest District office: Central508/835-3607; or Northeast 978/263-4347. Don’tforget to take friends and family fishing!

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The following meetings will be held at theDivision of Fisheries & Wildlife FieldHeadquarters off North Drive inWestborough. Both meetings are open to thepublic and the building is handicapped acces-sible. The Natural Heritage and EndangeredSpecies Advisory Committee will meet onMarch 12 at 1:30 p.m. The Fisheries & WildlifeBoard will be meeting at the same location onMarch 24 at 1 p.m. For directions, call (508)389-6300 or check the MassWildlife website athttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/calen-dar/meetings/board_meetings.htm .

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 4

Coyotes in the City, CambridgeThe City of Cambridge Animal

Commission and Water Department willsponsor this public information session from6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Walter J. Sullivan WaterTreatment Facility on 250 Fresh PondParkway. Laura Hajduk, MassWildlifefurbearer biologist will discuss the dynamicsof living with coyotes in the city and a ques-tion-and-answer session will follow. For moreinformation, call the Cambridge AnimalCommission at (617) 349-4376.

MARCH 7

Massachusetts Bird Conference,Worcester

There is still time to register for the 17thannual Bird Conference with the theme of"Birds and Birders on our National WildlifeRefuges". Program details and registrationinformation are found at www.mas-saudubon.org/ or call Linda Cocca at (781)259-2151.

MARCH 14

Project WILD/Aquatic WILDWorkshop for Educators, Easthampton

MassAudubon's Arcadia WildlifeSanctuary invites all K-12 educators to par-ticipate in an exciting six-hour interdiscipli-nary hands-on/minds-on workshop focusingon terrestrial wildlife and ecosystems. Scoutleaders, youth group leaders, and formal &non-formal educators find the materials &workshop experience very valuable. Hoursmay be used toward obtaining PDPs. Pre-reg-istration is required by calling contact PattiSteinman (413) 584-3009.

MARCH 15

Deadline for Youth Artists' Submissionto the Junior Duck Stamp Program!

This conservation education program isdesigned to stimulate awareness and person-al involvement in waterfowl & wetland con-servation for students in grades K-12 througha student art project. If you are a student orknow of a student who loves to draw, color orpaint, this is for him or her! Informationabout the contest is found athttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/educa-tion/jds/jds_home.htm.

MARCH 25

Bobcats in Massachusetts, GrotonLearn about one of the more secretive

predators in the state, the bobcat, from LauraHajduk, MassWildlife furbearer biologist.This program is sponsored by the NashuaRiver Watershed Association at theirResource Center on Rte 119 at 7 p.m. CallNashua River Resource Center at (978) 448-0299 for more information.

MARCH 26

Black Bears in Massachusetts,Southwick

Learn about the black bear, a more com-mon sight in the Connecticut River Valley,from Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife bear projectleader. This public program will be held atthe American Inn, 1 Sawmill Park at 3 p.m.For more information contact, BarbaraHuntoon, (413) 569-1945

A complete Calendar of Events can be foundat www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/calendar/cal-endar.htm

Any time a school, par-ticularly one ofMurdock's size has a

team qualify for post-seasonplay, that's a pretty impressiveaccomplishment. If two teamsdo so, that's a really impres-sive accomplishment. Butwhen three teams do so, andthe varsity boys basketballteam, the varsity ice hockey team, and thecheer squad all did, (and five individual run-ners and one track relay team qualified forstates, too), well, that's an amazing accom-plishment, and one that's a tribute to every-

one involved.So there's no question that

it was quite an exciting win-ter sports season. From myperspective, I've been fortu-nate to work with coacheswho were really cooperative.To Marcy Deardon, AlanHallquist, Aaron Laliberte,John Maliska (thanks for the

shirt!), and Dennis Suprenant, I offer mythanks and appreciation. The same holdstrue for Peter Antonellis and DebbieConnelly, who made my life a lot easier all

season, and an equal degree of thanks go toLois Girouard and Mike McDonald for allthose nights at the scorer's table when theyhelped me make sure my stats were right. Toeveryone who worked the snack bar, and youknow who you are, thanks as well, eventhough I was pretty much restricted to yourdrinks so I wouldn't cheat on my cardiac diet(not that any of you would have let me, any-way), even though those nachos sure lookedgood! To all these people, I say thanks, and,of course, above all, to all those athletes whowere actually playing the games, thanks forgiving me such a terrific spectacle to cover.

And what a spectacle it was. As CoachLaliberte pointed out at last week's wintersports awards night, it took a lot of contri-butions from a lot of people, (way too manyto name because everyone chipped in), forthe boys to get hot and reel off a slew ofwins, including a big home win overOakmont in a loud, packed gym, to get toDistricts. On the girls’ side, I watched thefoundation be laid towards building and sus-taining a winning program. For the secondconsecutive season, Ashley Perry finishedin the top three in league scoring. She andAmanda LeClair richly deserved their All-Star honors. On the junior varsity level, Iwatched as all those softball players, mydaughter included, made progress as basket-ball players as their first season went along(though sometimes I wondered how Dennisand John were managing to stay patient).The track team saw more than 20 personalbests recorded, and several school recordsfell as well. Will Lary had a great senior win-ter season, and as far as Molly Martorella isconcerned, it's getting difficult to findenough exclamation points when writingabout one of the best runners inMassachusetts.

And remember, all this played out aftereveryone lost several weeks of practice and

games in December. Everyone was behindthe proverbial eight-ball from the start, andstill, everyone persevered and look at theresults, and it was my pleasure, and privi-lege, to watch, and write. Thanks again.

Speaking of thanks, the Dallas Cowboysbecame the latest team to say thanks butgoodbye to Terrell Owens, but it sure didn'ttake the Buffalo Bills long to ink T.O. to aone-year deal. I'm not quite sure how Owenswill mesh with a young quarterback likeTrent Edwards, but I'm guessing that itmight rapidly turn into a rather dicey situa-tion. If Owens wasn't fond of DonovanMcNabb in Philadelphia or Tony Romo inDallas, to say nothing of Jeff Garcia back inSan Francisco, it's reasonable to have doubtsabout he and Edwards. My guess is thatDrew Rosenhaus wasn't getting a whole lotsof other options.

One thing we know — he won't be going toSan Francisco or Philadelphia. Not goinganywhere, as it turned out, were KurtWarner and Ray Lewis. Warner did talk tothe 49ers, but ultimately wanted to stay inArizona, and did. As for Lewis, it's fair toask whether there was even a market forhim. Offers sure didn't seem to be pouringin, not even from Rex Ryan and the Jets,where the new head coach had alreadypicked off a couple of Lewis' Ravens team-mates. But when you stop and think about it,it really is a rarity in sports these days whena superstar spends his entire career withone team. Joe Montana didn't. Nor did JerryRice. Or Emmitt Smith, who by the way, has,thankfully, been dropped by ESPN. EvenJohn Unitas wrapped up his career with alost season in San Diego. Joe Namath did thesame with the Rams. For Lewis to spend hiswhole career in Baltimore is a sight we don'tsee all that much anymore, but in this case,I'm certainly glad it's going to happen exact-ly that way.

The winter season bore major accomplishments

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TALKING

SPORTS

Dr. Seuss at Memorial SchoolDr. Seuss was loose in Memorial School last week as community members were invited to the

school to share favorite Dr. Seuss stories with each class. Dr. Seuss was 105 this birthday.

Photos by Doneen Durling, Tim O’Connell and Ruth DeAmicis

Selectman Burt Gould always enjoys his time with the students, and they enjoy him.

Left: A favorite with the children is Miss Murph, who got intothe spirit of the day. Above: Police officers Lt. David Walsh andOfficer Tracy Flagg.

Above: Mrs. Puutio’s third grade class enjoyed “And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.” Below:Mrs. Lyons’ class heard “The Lorax.”

Documents

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 International Woman’s Day · 13/03/2009 · (978) 297-0050 • Newsstand: 75 cents 6 56525 10431 2 Wednesday, March 11, 2009