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Called to Serve Country
April 17, 2008 — Hopkinton High School teacher Michael McFarland got a rousing, heartfelt sendoff from faculty, administration and students in a whole-school assembly this afternoon. Mr. McFarland has been called to serve his country, and is expected to leave soon for Iraq. |
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School Committee Meeting School Choice Rejected as Possible Source of Revenue
By Demian David Tebaldi
April 17, 2008 — There was no new business at the Hopkinton School Committee Meeting on Thursday night, but a long debated issue was finally settled – whether or not Hopkinton will be participating in a cross-district school choice program in FY 2009.
A public hearing was opened by Committee Chair Rebecca Robak (File photo), then immediately closed as no one stepped forward to speak for or against school choice. The vote by the School Committee was held an hour later, after discussions concerning the upcoming marathon on Patriots’ Day and the rehashing of some older issues. Since first broaching the subject, the School Committee has received numerous emails from Hopkinton residents expressing opinions on the subject, and the Financial Plan Working Group has labored hard to determine whether offering much-prized student slots to out-of-towners is feasible from a resource standpoint and necessary from a financial one.
“We do have a fairly stable enrollment now,” began Ms. Robak. ‘Given the size of our classes right now, they [the Financial Plan Working Group] weren’t small enough that we felt comfortable adding students without impacting the level of services we provide to our existing students. Having had the public hearing, a formal thing that we need to do before voting on it, we are now ready to vote. Does anyone wish to discuss the issue first?”
‘I make a motion that the School Committee not participate in the School Choice program for fiscal year 2009,” replied Committee member Lyn Branscomb.
“I would like to see, on the Policy Group agenda, a policy governing our participation in school choice, so that we have that set up just in case,” she continued.
“I think we ought to at least acknowledge all the feedback we’ve received on this issue,” said Committee Member Phil Totino. “People did influence our thinking – it was unanimous going against [participating in school choice]. In all the comments and emails we received on the subject, I can’t recall a single one in favor or it.”
After a unanimous vote by the School Committee to reject school choice as a possible source of revenue for the town, Committee Chair Robak thanked the people who responded, saying, “We will come back to this next year – I think it’s fiscally responsible for us to do this.” |
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Walking Across America & Running the Boston Marathon
Above, Emmett Eastman stopped by Hopkinton Common today and spoke with HopNews video, which will be on later.
April 17, 2008 — Emmett Eastman, who in the middle of walking across the country, will run the Boston Marathon on April 21st! What’s more amazing, is that Emmett ‘His Many Lightnings’ Eastman is 76 years old!
Emmett is not only running the Boston Marathon, but he is taking a break from the 5 month Longest Walk II (http://www.myspace.com/longestwalk) to do it. He and his group of nearly 250 have been both welcomed and ridiculed along the way as they walk to raise awareness about the environment. Walking along with them as they beautify roadways picking up litter along the way, is activist, actor and Longest Walk co-founder, Dennis Banks http://www.sacredrun.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Banks , as well as Emmett's niece, Kym Mathias, who like her mother 30 years earlier, is supporting the walkers (scroll to bottom for details and a touching letter from Kym).
Dakota Sioux Emmett 'His Many Lightnings' Eastman will be running the Boston Marathon for his 2nd time since 1972. The first time was his first official run. Since then, this extraordinary 76 year old Native American Elder has run as many thousands of miles as years he has been alive! (highlights below).
Emmett is running in memory of his sister, Fern Mathias http://www.arigonstarr.com/Diva/dox/ferntribute2002.html, and his friend Floyd Red Crow Westerman http://www.floydredcrowwesterman.com/ who recently passed away.
Emmett Eastman is the grand-nephew of Charles ‘Ohiyesa’ Eastman the central character of HBO's "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." Charles graduated Dartmouth and BU Medical School, where Charles is being honored posthumously this May. Emmett had been asked to accept the award for the family and bring it home to Flandreau, SD. Emmett’s wife died giving birth to their 8th child who was named for Charles Eastman. Emmett is part of a group of family members working to have the remains of Charles Eastman and his only son repatriated the family cemetery in Flandreau. The two lie in unmarked graves in Detroit, Michigan.
Included in this message, are highlights of a few of Emmett's many fascinating accomplishments. Emmett Eastman is a Korean War Veteran and has been welcomed, honored and hosted by tribes and dignitaries around the world. He is 13/16ths Dakota Sioux and also shares ancestry with George Eastman of Eastman Kodak.
Below is a video interview with Emmett Eastman from today at the Hopkinton Common.
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Real Flame to Arrive at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday April 19, 2008
April 18, 2008 — This morning a crew installed a cauldron that will house the Flame of the Marathon Run that will arrive on Saturday at 2:00 pm on the Common and be on display on Marathon Monday. Above is a test flame lit by workmen, and not the real thing. |
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HOPKINTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
To facilitate this experience, Mrs. McNally will use the Best Buy gift card to purchase webcams, a classroom laptop, and a video IPOD that will enable students to exchange cultural information with students in Francophone and Spanish-speaking countries. Over the past year, through letter writing, Mrs. McNally has seen conversational skills strengthen, improved attentiveness, and a strong desire to share information about themselves with those of other cultures. The students are very enthusiastic about this program and they are excited to write in French or Spanish with hopes of eventually being able to have a videoconference or share video casts or pod casts.
Money from this grant will allow students to have live chats with
classrooms in other countries and make this exchange program come to
life. Students will be able to share their "live" classroom with a
school in Spain, France, or Canada. Having our students speak the
language and share with students in other locations around the globe
will truly enhance the learning experience. With the help of this gift
card from Best Buy, the students will be able to harness this technology
in the classroom and enhance their foreign language learning
experience. Mrs. McNally and her students are truly grateful for this
wonderful opportunity provided through Best Buy. |
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Get Out the Camera! Community Register & Telephone Directory. Boston Marathon Photography Contest.
April 17, 2008 — Don't leave home for the Marathon on Monday without your camera, because the Hopkinton Women’s Club is sponsoring a town wide contest. They are looking for a creative photo for the cover of the Hopkinton 2009 Community Register and Telephone Directory. If you are an aspiring photographer or even an accomplished one, please enter the contest.
Submissions must meet the following criteria: “Boston Marathon” Theme, Black and white or color photo 5x8 (may be larger with same proportions), Must be vertical in orientation. Traditional or digital photos are acceptable and they can be realistic or artfully enhanced.
If you are submitting a computer created photo, you will also need to submit a print for judging purposes. The winning photo will not be returned There will be an award of $50 for photo that is chosen for the 2009 Phone Directory as well as credit given in the directory.
The Hopkinton Women’s Club members will select the winning photo at their May meeting. Entry forms are available online at www.hopkintonwc.com, at the Hopkinton Library, or at the High School Art Department. Any questions please call Kathy Yankee at 508-435-6471. Good luck!! Deadline: April 30, 2008. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Annual Town Report Available
For voters looking forward to going to Town Meeting as an informed voter, the Annual Town Report is available at Town Hall, by the office of the Town Clerk. If you cannot find it, please ask at the office |
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Greyhound Friends Events
-> Spring Open House on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, 18th, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. There will be lots to do - shopping for greyhound items and human items! Good food, lots of greyhounds and their owners for socializing, the popular "Not Quite Westminster" dog show, and more! The kennel will be open for visits to the greyhounds waiting for their homes, and the fenced field will be available where greyhound visitors can run. For more information, contact Pat – pat@greyhound.org or call 508-435-5969.
-> Greyhound Friends
is also celebrating its 25th
Anniversary this May. To mark this milestone, the
organization is holding a fundraising gala on May 31 at the Charles
River Country Club in
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Fine Dining at Sauce on Main Thursday through Saturday. CiaoTime is ready when you are! |
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Mutual Aid for Upton
April 17, 2008 — Around dinnertime today, fire companies from several towns, including Hopkinton, Milford, Sutton, Douglas and Upton responded with a dozen pieces of equipment and a few dozen firefighters to knock down a 50 acre brush fire in Upton that was called in, according firefighters at the scene, by Michael Andrews, above, who saw the fire in the woods behind his home. |
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Fields Nearing Final Language
April 17, 2008 — The Parks and Recreation Commission met Wednesday evening with HYSA (Hopkinton Youth Soccer Association) President Brian O'Keefe to hammer out the language of an agreement that would bring their organization into a partnership of sorts with the town in developing soccer fields at the town-owned Fruit Street property. HYSA is proposing a financial contribution of no less than $500,000. The square area is the location of the two proposed artificial turf fields. The town has pledged $1,000,000 in CPA money toward the fields, which is Article 39 on the Town Meeting Warrant. |
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Red Sky at Night
April 17, 2008 — The sky over Hopkinton was a painterly texture on Monday before the weather changed from warm and comfortable to pouring rain. |
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Hillers Unbeaten The Hopkinton Hillers made it it seven straight as they got a big hitting production from Matt Collins (2) homeruns .Dan Muscatello and a sol job from Chris Farrell on way to a 34-13 victory over the Dover-Sherborn Raiders Thursday in Dover. The Hillers may have broken a school record for runs scored as I for one can not remember a higher run production than 34. Dan Muscatello got his first varsity homerun and Paul Ostrander continues to a torrid hitting streak. The Hillers will now go on spring break and rest a well deserved pitching staff. Bryan Guilmette picked up his 3rd win of the season. The Hillers cleaned the bench earlier as all players were used. Jon Carey pitched 2 innings and closed the door on the regionals. The Hillers will now go on break until next Friday when they travel to powerful St. John's prep in Danvers for their annual non league game. Mark Stickney has the Hillers playing awesome baseball. ~Peter Marso special to hopnews. |
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Twin City Visit
April 17, 2008 — Dimitris Kyriakides, son of the 1946 BAA Marathon winner, Spyros Zagaris, Mayor of Marathon, Greece, Hopkinton's "Twin City," and Maria Polyzou and Nikos Polias, Women's and Men's Marathon Champions pose with the Flame today at the Senior Center for the John Hancock Day celebration. Click Thumbnails For More Photos |
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Fire!
April 17, 2008 — The Flame of the Marathon Run made its unofficial debut this morning at the Senior Center during a breakfast in honor of John Hancock Day, an appreciation from the town. It is expected to be officially dedicated on Saturday at 2:00 pm. |
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Gift of a Van
April 17, 2008 — Frank McLaughlin of Herb Chambers in Westborough hands over the keys to Senior Center Transportation Coordinator, Sally Almy, of a low mileage 2007 F-350 Van. The senior van was a gift arranged by the charitable organization the Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens. They also support the mini bus, meal program and educational programs for our seniors. The Friends of the Hopkinton Senior citizens received some assistance from Herb Chambers Ford of Westborough and Hopkinton resident Peter Dittman (Photo, far right) raising funds in support of this vehicle that has been on their wish list for over 15 years. Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens is a 501 c 3 charitable arm that depends on fundraisers and community support to meet the needs of the senior citizens in our community. |
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Paint it Black
April 17, 2008 — Volunteer Ron Yankee, Treasurer of the Hopkinton Historical Commission is shown as a silhouette today as he paints the door jam at the historic Hopkinton Railroad Depot that is being restored at Ice House Pond on West Main Street. |
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Fine Dining at Sauce on Main Thursday through Saturday. CiaoTime is ready when you are! |
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THE HOPKINTON WOMEN'S CLUB |
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Eight Miles High
April 17, 2008 — It may appear that the hawk in this picture taken Downtown on Wednesday is eyeballing the airplane for a meal, but the airplane is thousands of feet away. The zoom lens, a 200mm, makes them appear closer to each other, and in turn, both closer to the camera. |
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Twenty-eight Starts
April 17, 2008 — Jacque LeDuc gets help from son-in-law Jonathan Bloom and daughter Laura LeDuc with his 28th painting and designing of the Start line of the B.A.A. Marathon. Mr. LeDuc will be running the Marathon this year, his twelfth consecutive time. |
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Better Safe Than...
April 16, 2008 — Hopkinton Police Sgt. Charles Wallace, a member of the Hopkinton Marathon Committee, is shown here in front of the Common on Wednesday with two members of the Massachusetts State Police S.TO.P. Team, who are trained to use "less than lethal" tactics to deal with dangerous situations that can be handled with their special training, which would otherwise have to be dealt with by deadly force. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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I Did It!
April 16, 2008 — Owen Champlin, 18 months, being held by his Mom, Annabel, looks a little tuckered out after the Moms Club's Mini-Marathon on the Common on Wednesday, likely his first Marathon. |
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Hillers remain unbeaten as locals take down Ashland 12-10
The Stickney nine once again used a big offense with a round tripper by Mike Preite on way to a Tri-Valley league victory 12-10min a contest played in Hopkinton on Wednesday. The Hillers started lefty Andrew Park who was very effected the first few innings giving way to Conor Mahon who then gave way to Bryant Guilmette. ~Peter Marso Photo of Kyle Cavedon from Tuesday's game. |
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Fatal Crash on Route
195 East in Driver not wearing seat belt
April
17, 2008 — Wednesday, at approximately 3:15 p.m. troopers assigned to
the State Police Barracks in Bourne responded to a one-vehicle crash on
Route 195 East at Route 105 (exit 20) in the Town of
This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Marion Fire Department, Marion Police Department, Wareham Police Department and Masshighways assisted troopers at the scene. |
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Russell E. Adams, 72
HOPKINTON - Russell E. Adams, 72, a lifelong resident of Hopkinton, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at Framingham Union Hospital. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Edgar and Sarah (Carlstrom) Adams. After graduating Hopkinton High School in 1953, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston. He was a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1958 to 1961 in Korea and Fort Belvoi, Virginia. Arrangements complete |
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Fine Dining at Sauce on Main Thursday through Saturday. CiaoTime is ready when you are! |
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JOHN HANCOCK CANCELS PRE-MARATHON RALLY IN HOPKINTON WITH
2008 KENYAN TEAM DUE TO STUDENT
ILLNESS
NOTE: This information was made public at last night's Selectmen's meeting, and immediately posted on HopNews, below. |
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Selectmen Reverse Decision on CPC Housing Money Discuss Host Community Agreement
Above, HopNews has colored the submission above for ease of understanding.
by Robert Falcione April 15, 2008 — At last week's meeting, the Selectmen voted to not support funding an affordable housing project, Mayhew Court, with $450,000 of Community Preservation Act funds. CPA funds are collected by Hopkinton designating 2% of its tax revenue toward various projects allowed by the Community Preservation Act, such as recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation. The state kicks in with matching funds for money used for qualifying projects. Tuesday evening, the Selectmen reversed their decision and voted to support earmarking those funds for a twelve-unit affordable housing development to be built in proximity to the Hopkinton Senior Center off of Mayhew Street, after a presentation by Linda Donahue of the Hopkinton Housing Authority. Although Selectman Brian Herr pointed out that the town had gone forward with projects that it thought would be funded by other sources but were not, proponents of the project assured the Selectmen that although the town's commitment was necessary to proceed, it would not shoulder any more of the costs. The Host Community Agreement with Legacy Farms was the subject of some scheduling debate Tuesday evening. The HCA seeks mitigation from Legacy developer Boulder Capital for impacts on the town, such as schools, police and fire. Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer (File photo) would like the agreement, if the final version is complete by April 22, to go before the public for their review and understanding before the Selectmen finally vote on it, which is scheduled for May 1. Town Manager Anthony Troiano, who is part of the negotiating team on behalf of the town, disagreed, arguing for a vote on approval on May 22, "There's a point where it's done and we vote." Mr. Troiano, although on the negotiating team, cannot vote with the Selectmen. Vice-Chair Mary Pratt said, "I don't think the town's being protected, and I've been at those [negotiating team] meetings." Selectman Michael Shepard said that he wanted to see the intention to provide sidewalks included in the HCA, and not to wait for the Special Permit level. "We want to make sure it [HCA] does the best it can to protect the town and support the development that is supposed to be fiscally positive," said Selectmen Chair Muriel Kramer. "We need a statement of assurance of what we can reasonably count on as fiscal benefits coming out of it," she said. "I know we've got postcards home that say $3 million [in positive revenue] each year, $6 million at buildout. And that's not something anyone's willing to guarantee. "As a town, we need to have a position that we feel strongly we can assert to the voters... a figure the town should expect to see," she said. Mrs. Kramer insisted that the final draft of the HCA needs to be in the public purview for at least a week after the Selectmen's newly scheduled April 22 meeting for the "public to have an opportunity to read it and digest it."
NOTE: HopNews will have the latest version of the Host Community Agreement every time it is made available. |
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Hopkinton Prepares for Gift of Fire
April 15, 2008 — At around 11:00 am on Saturday, April 19, the Flame of the Marathon Run will leave Boston on its way to Hopkinton Common. In November, 2007, Timothy Kilduff, President of the Hopkinton Athletic Association, was present in Marathon, Greece, where the flame was first lit at the tomb of the warriors of the battle of Marathon, 490 B.C. Mayor of Hopkinton's Sister City, Marathon, Greece, Spirodon Zagaris, will be visiting with his town's gift and will be accompanied by Dimitris Kyriakides, son of the 1946 winner of the Boston Marathon. A ceremony is planned upon its arrival at the Common on Saturday, as well as on Marathon day. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Happy Together
April 15, 2008 — These two turtles are finding some sort of joy on this moss-covered, slimy, rotting stump in the water at Pratt's Pond today. The adjacent town-owned land on Fruit Street is the site of spotted turtles which were on the endangered list when a golf course had been proposed for that property prior to the town's purchase of it. |
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Herb Chambers Ford of Westborough Assists Hopkinton’s Seniors Citizens
Hopkinton, MA---On April 17th, the Senior Center will host a ceremony celebrating the presentation of a newly acquired van for our Hopkinton Senior Citizens. With gratitude and heartfelt thanks, we will honor Frank McLaughlin, General Manager of Herb Chambers Ford of Westborough, who worked with Darlene Hayes, Vice President of Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens to secure the 12 passenger Ford Series 350 van. Please join us at this memorable event at 8:45am at the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street.
“The van is a big need for the Hopkinton seniors", says Cindy Chesmore, Director of the Hopkinton Senior Center. To date Hopkinton Senior Citizens have only a handicap accessible mini bus that is used only for group outings. However, "the new van", Chesmore explains, "will be available for individual use. The van will provide our Hopkinton senior citizens the needed mobility to attend doctor appointments and meet other personal commitments. With the current restrictions imposed by Hopkinton's town budget, Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens must rely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and businesses like Herb Chambers to help meet the needs of the senior citizens in our community”, Chesmore says.
What's more, to help the Friends provide additional transportation services for our senior citizens, Hopkinton resident Peter Dittman will represent and raise money on behalf of the Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens in the running of the 112th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2008 through an official number was donated by the Hopkinton Marathon Association. You can help support Peter in his efforts by making a check payable to the Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens. Donations should be mailed in c/o of Peter Dittman, 6 Third Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.
Come support Peter and help celebrate the unveiling of the new van by visiting our booth on Hopkinton's Common on Marathon weekend. There, you can learn how to become a member or join the Friends' newly established 600 Club which requires that individuals, organizations and businesses donate $100 annually.
The Friends of the Hopkinton Senior Citizens is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to raise funds to help educate, organize, promote, and support services which will enhance the well-being, quality of life, and independence of our Hopkinton Senior Citizens.
For further information, call or email Board member and Co-President Leda Arakelian at 508-497-9181 or thearakelians@comcast.net. |
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Recycling with the Lions Club
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Kenyan Event CANCELED
According to the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Muriel Kramer, the Adopt-a-Marathoner program between the elite Kenyan runners and the students of Hopkinton has been cancelled in its entirety. The event that has been thrilling Elmwood students for fifteen years, a cultural exchange of language, a grand entrance before an assembly of students, and a run around the front of the school, had been transfered to the High School Athletic due to an outbreak of chicken pox that could have been dangerous to the runners. But now the event has been entirely cancelled. People involved expect sponsor John Hancock to make a commitment to continue the program next year. To see some last year's exciting event at the Elmwood School, choose this. 2007 File photo. |
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Colella's now open Sundays 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Maria's new family menu! |
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Class of '83
We are looking for
classmates interested in getting together for a 25th Reunion. No dates
set yet just trying to track people down and see if people are
interested in putting something together. |
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Pick Your Lucky
Number Night! |
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The Train Kept-a-Rollin'
April 15, 2008 — This train, which appeared to have hundreds of box cars, flatbeds, tankers and more, travels on the same tracks as the commuter rail. In this photo, the train is about to go under the Fruit Street Bridge on tracks that are a matter of feet from the Sudbury River, the dividing line between Hopkinton and Southborough in this area. |
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H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S H O M E S |
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Fixing a Hole
April 15, 2008 — Matthew Gogan uses a tool to reach deeply and clean out the tube for the water service shut-off at the Common, as part of the spring tune up for the Water/Sewer Department. Michael Fredette is on the left. Mr. Gogan said that his mom reads HopNews daily from Bangor, Maine. "Hi, Mom," he said. |
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Pre-Olympic Champion Equestrian Alexis Brown, 27
years old, from Middleport, New York, has been riding horses since she
was seven years old. Under the training of World Champion Owner of
Abdullah, the 1984 Gold Medal Olympic Winner (one and only ever U.S.
Team winner), Sue Williams says of Alexis, “She is a very accomplished
equestrian in the sport of Eventing. The horse/rider combination
performs a dressage test which is a very precise test of the training of
the horse in an arena. They then proceed to a cross-country endurance
gallop over fences and natural obstacles which is a timed phase of
approximately 1-2 miles in length. This is followed by a Stadium Jumping
course over obstacles testing the horse’s agility and obedience. Lex has
competed at the pre-Olympic level and has won competitions at the
National Level throughout the East Coast. Most of the horses she has
competed have been the offspring of our Olympic Stallion Abdullah, named
one of the top 50 horses of the century by the “Chronicle of the Horse.” |
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A Night to Remember Dear Editor:
On April 11, the Class of 2009
hosted its Junior Prom at Mechanics Hall in First we must thank our class advisors, Ms. Diane Welch and Ms. Ann Rainey, who work hard every day to support our class. It was their preparedness and organization that allowed our prom to run as smoothly as it did. We would also like to thank all the parents and teachers who came to the Grand March and chaperoned either the Prom or the Post Prom. We are very appreciative of your time. Finally we would like to thank and acknowledge the outstanding Post Prom Committee who outdid all of our greatest expectations, decorating every inch of the school and providing us with endless entertainment. You truly made the night a success. Thank you again to these people for making our prom a night we will all remember forever. The Class of 2009 Officers, Tom Coburn, President Camille Kulig, Vice President Emily Gaston, Secretary Pat Maruska, Treasurer |
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