Michele Gates, a woman for
all reasons
"Juggling ... In the
hands of Michelle Gates of Hopkinton, it becomes an art
form."
by Elizabeth Eidlitz
March 18, 2006 —
Multitasking, a managerial
concept of the corporate world, assumes that the few can be
made to do the work of many. Yet carrying on several duties
at once can reduce productivity, rather than increase it.
Juggling, which involves keeping several objects in motion
at the same time, is a more effective skill. In the hands of
Michelle Gates of Hopkinton, it becomes an art form. Though
she doesn’t toss balls, rings, knives, clubs, or torches in
the air, she juggles an unusual combination of interests.
Like many, Gates (Below, pink shirt as Hopkinton
Historical Society President) manages a household and
holds a fulltime job. The wife of a civil engineer, the
mother of a 14-year-old daughter, and a fulltime bookkeeper
for a Needham leasing company, she still finds time to sew,
knit, hike, and collect Hall teapots.
More
remarkably, Gates is also Chairman of Hopkinton Parks and
Recreation, President of the Historical Society, a member of
the Boston Marathon commission, and the Republican Town
committee.
When she’s not helping with political campaign signs and
phone calls, organizing summer concerts on the common,
looking for funds for new playing fields, planning programs,
writing the Historical society’s newsletter, scanning file
photos and documents for their website, scheduling vendors
on the common for marathon weekend, implementing a
demolition delay bylaw, making her daughter a Queen
Guinevere Halloween costume, or working on restoring the
Main Street Train depot, she's shooting a gun in a firearm
safety training class at the Hopkinton Sportsmen’s
Association, cueing up songs as a disc jockey, or performing
weddings as a Justice of the Peace.
Above,
overseeing the construction of the slab for the restoration
of the Train Depot.
“It’s
important to teach respect for firearms and how to handle
them safely. Shooting at targets combines concentration and
relaxation, and you’re competing against yourself,” Gates
notes.
“I love people, fun, and music--all kinds--country, soft
rock, heavy metal. Six years ago I began helping my mother's
husband. He’s big in Veteran groups, and has become a DJ for
all the VFW functions. After he lent me his starter kit with
a mixer and a CD player, I did two bookings.”
Charging $300-600, she now does Christmas, Halloween,
wedding and birthday parties as well as VFW functions. She
asks for preferred musical styles-- Big Bands to
contemporary-- buys what’s needed, pays for it, and loads
appropriate CDs onto her computer. “I do it because I enjoy
it. If I were making a living at it, I’d have to charge
more. “
“If you decide not to do this any longer,” says her husband,
“we’ve got a great sound system.”
Gates has been a DJ for countless wedding receptions, and
has solemnized about 30 marriages. A Justice of the Peace,
who need not be an ordained minister, is appointed by the
Governor, and confirmed by the Governor’s Council for a
seven-year term. Each city/town is allowed one JP for every
5000 residents. Five prominent members of the community who
attest to the candidate’s good moral character and active
participation in community affairs must endorse
applications. Not surprisingly, Gates filled the single
vacancy in Hopkinton three years ago.
“I’ve never met a person in a bad mood when talking about
their wedding. I like learning what brought a couple
together. I like writing the ceremony. The hardest part is
getting their words said on that day, even if they don’t say
them."
Gates ended a recent ceremony with an old Irish blessing:
“Now you will
feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth
for the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before
you.
May you grow glorious in each other’s arms.
May laughter and warmth reign supreme in your home.
And today, may the spirit of love find a dwelling place in
your hearts.”
Gates likes “living life to the fullest,” but how does she
fit so much living into 24-hour days?
“I don’t think about how much I put into things,” she says.
“I just do them.”
