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"The News Starts Here!"

24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Editor@HopNews.com  508-435-5534

Updated: March 18, 2013 02:52:37 PM

The Stepford Wives

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 & 20 at 7:30PM

Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2:00PM

Milford High School Auditorium

Produced by Milford High School Theater Workshop


Milford High School Theater Workshop Brings Popular Movie to Stage

Enjoy this year's stellar production of The Stepford Wives, adapted from the movie for the stage by Milford High School Theater Workshop President, Co-Producer and Drama Director Eliza McCoy and Co-Producer and Wardrobe Mistress  Carly Hampel (both seniors). The community will love the results. What does it take to become a Stepford wife, a woman perfect beyond belief? Ask the Stepford husbands, who've created this high-tech terrifying little town, in a very modern comedy-thriller. The production stars junior Nicole Banks and senior Ben Walton as Joanna Eberhart and her husband, Walter, along with seniors Carly Hampel, Courtney Diniz, Joey Grill, Zach Surapine, and Paul Hastings (many of whom can be seen in Enter Stage Left productions and coffee houses in Hopkinton). Tickets are $10 and available in advance at the Music and Arts Center on Main Street in Milford (formerly The Music Nook) and at the door.

Co-producer and wardrobe mistress Carly Hampel (senior, left) takes a moment with Courtney Diniz (senior, playing Bobbie) to discuss wardrobe for a scene in The Stepford Wives, which was adapted from the popular movie for the stage by Hampel and co-producer/director Eliza McCoy.

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Police News UP-TO-DATE

November Nov 15, 2010

Click above for full report

 

4:15 pm Officer John Moran stopped a vehicle that was bringing a 1 year old child to the hospital. Officer Moran requested an ambulance for the child, and arrested the driver for driving with a suspended license...

 

10:57 pm... She reported that the female driver of the vehicle honked and made a gesture at the pedestrians. The plate provided did not match the vehicle description...

 

4:32 pm A Fruit Street caller reported that her estranged husband was in the driveway, possibly intoxicated. Officer David...

 

11:10 am Officer John Moran made an arrest on Ash Street for carrying a dangerous weapon...

Middle School Drama Club to Present Two Masterpieces

Romeo and Juliet to be performed December 3 and 4

7:00 pm - Middle School Auditorium

 

HOPKINTON -- As schools throughout Massachusetts grapple with the challenges of preventing bullying – and a new state mandate for a formal anti-bullying policy by Dec. 31 -- students at Hopkinton Middle School this year will be presenting two classic stories about the corrosive power of intolerance and revenge.

 

The Hopkinton Middle School Drama Club will present Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium, 88 Hayden Rowe St.  Next spring, for the school’s annual musical, the students will perform “West Side Story,” an updated version of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

 

Director Hallyann Gifford, the school’s drama teacher, said Romeo & Juliet’s 115 student actors and crew members are already gaining a valuable lesson on bullying and intolerance.

 

“Both of these stories, the messages they send, are incredibly timely,” said Gifford, who is also serving on the school’s Anti-Bullying Committee. “Too often, important messages  go in one ear and out the other.  But when students have the chance to dramatize the problem, they listen.  The performance is a powerful tool for teaching tolerance, and the kids internalize the lesson emotionally”

 

Gifford said that Romeo & Juliet, with its warring Capulets and Montagues, provides the perfect example of how conflicts can escalate and destroy those embroiled in them.

 

“In Romeo & Juliet, we never even know why the Capulets and Montagues hate each other,” she said. “These are two households that are both alike in their dignity, and we don’t know how their conflict got started.  People just got swept up in it.

 

“Whether it’s an ancient grudge or modern-day bullying, many times we don’t know how it gets started.  In Romeo & Juliet, the families bury their grudges only after a tragedy.”

 

While Gifford said she thought carefully about following up Romeo & Juliet with another tragedy -- West Side Story -- she said that the spring musical would result in “a wonderful pairing of great dramatic pieces.”

 

“West Side Story is considered to be one of the finest Broadway musicals ever produced,” she said.

 

Tickets to Romeo & Juliet are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors and will be available in advance at the Middle School office or at the door.  Bring a new toy or new book for Project Just Because and receive $2 off the ticket price.

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Residents Operating With Deficits, Too

Editor:

I am writing as a concerned resident of Hopkinton.  After reading news about the potential for property tax increases due to a $1.5 million deficit, and then receiving an email from the School Committee about spending $30 million on a new elementary school,   I feel compelled to express my frustration.  My Husband and I both work for small companies, and due to economic issues and cut backs and decrease in profitability, neither of us have been given raises in the past few years.   Yet, our oil bill, our electric bill,  cable etc., have increased.  Our health insurance costs have risen dramatically with a decrease in the quality of our coverage due to cuts at our companies.  We are thankful at this point just to be employed.  We are living on a tight budget trying to make ends meet to keep our 5 year old Daughter in Hopkinton.  Personally, I grew up here, graduated HHS in 1989 and my Parents have lived here close to 40 years.  It's a beautiful town with a wonderful family environment, and I fear that we may not be able to see our Daughter graduate HHS someday.
 

Property tax increases right now are frightening, and wrong.  The budget of this town should operate in a similar manner as the households that fund it.  Asking for more money makes me resentful for the taxes we already pay.  It seems that whatever we pay, it's never enough and it's a constant feeling of being squeezed.  How are middle class residents supposed to save for their children's college educations or for retirement, when our taxes (and the cost of living in general) are rising faster than our salaries?   I don't want to be in debt anymore than the town does, but why would the consideration of a new $30 million school even be  brought up when we are already facing a deficit?  It doesn't make very good financial sense.  If I had a giant credit card bill that I was having a hard time paying, I wouldn't be out looking at an expensive luxury vehicle.  It's not logical, and lacks common sense.   When you discuss the possibility of raising property taxes, more consideration needs to be given to the fact that many Hopkinton residents are also "operating with deficits."
 
Respectfully,
Julie Ford

175 Saddle Hill Road

November 15, 2010

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Getting Your Goat

November 14, 2010 — These two goats in a pen at Weston Nurseries this weekend, one apparently happier than the other, really enjoy human interaction. They are on a paved path behind the Garden Center.

No Telescope Needed

November 15, 2010 — This first-quarter Moon on Friday afternoon was very bright in the sky to the naked eye, but brought much more closely with a 30 year-old zoom lens.

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Bridge to Treatment

November 14, 2010 — This bridge to Hopkinton's sewage treatment plant spans a space for water that two culverts once carried, but an appeal of its approval got this instead.

 

Art Imitates Plants

November 14, 2010 — Steve Doherty of Angel's Garden Center held a gallery opening in the School Street greenhouse on Sunday, inviting friends, coworkers and fellow photographers. The majority of Mr. Doherty's photographic art involves women wearing plant material on their heads in place of hair. Mr. Doherty is a hairdresser.

Tickets for HEF Winter Gala, "Oh, The Heights We Can Grow"

go on sale

9:00 am - 11:00 am

December 4, 2010

Hopkinton High School Lobby

The Gala itself is February 5th at 6:30pm, at LakeView Pavilion in Foxboro

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Rare Sighting

November 14, 2010 — HopNews received this photo on Halloween, but it was not until the photo was lightened, at the urging of a reader, that the alien sitting on the HVAC structure on Colella's roof was visible. Detractors have said the structure looks like an alien spacecraft has landed on the roof, and this photo is proof.

      Colella's has scheduled a contractor to cover the structure with another structure acceptable to the Planning Board.  

State Police Investigate Double  Fatal Crash in Grafton

 

November 14, 2010 — Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Weston responded to a single-car crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Grafton at 12:45 this morning. A male driver and male passenger were killed in the crash, while another male passenger was seriously injured.

 

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Steven Pacifico indicates that a Guilherme Sobral, 21, from Worcester was operating a 2005 Nissan Maxima on the westbound side of Route 90, near the 97.9 mile marker. The driver lost control of the car, which rolled over.  Sobral was seriously injured and transported by medical helicopter to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced deceased.  A passenger, Vinicius Martin Pereira, 21, from Framingham, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Another passenger, Raphael Monteiro, 21, from Natick, was ejected from the vehicle and transported by ambulance to UMass Medical Center with serious injuries.

 

All the facts and circumstances of the crash, including why the vehicle rolled over, remain under investigation by Troop E of the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Grafton Police and Fire Departments.

 

During the rescue response and crash investigation the right lane of Route 90 westbound was closed for approximately two hours.

Hopkinton Special Olympics Returns With Silver and Gold

The Special Olympics of MA held their annual State Soccer Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA. According to Alec Levine, Hopkinton Special Olympics program director, it was a successful day for Hopkinton's three teams. The Angels, coached by Anne Marcy, and the Pride, coached by Clay Cowart, both won the gold medal; and the Spirit, coached by Levine, won the silver medal. The State Tournament was the culmination of an exciting soccer season enjoyed by the athletes and their families. 

 

Florence G. Rousseau, 84

HOPKINTON/MILLINOCKET, MAINE - Florence G. Rousseau, 84, died November 12, 2010 at her daughter's home in Millinocket, Maine. Born in Gardner, MA, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Amy (Cecchini) Caliri. She was the wife of the late John Rousseau, who died in 2006.

She is survived by her sons Thomas Benjamin of Gardner, MA, Timothy Benjamin of Millville, and Robert Benjamin of Uxbridge; and her daughters Gladys Harpin of Millville and Sharon Salome of Maine. She also leaves her sister, Eleanor Willis of FL and her step-children John Rousseau of Bellingham, Robert Rousseau of Framingham, Russell Rousseau of Hopkinton, Deborah Rousseau of Hopkinton, and Loretta Donathan of VA.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, November 16 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Callanan-Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Hopkinton.

Donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, Attn: Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

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William F. Phillips, 75

William F. Phillips, 75, of Westborough and formerly Hopkinton, passed away Friday, November 12, 2010. Born in Natick, he was the son of the late Walter and Lillian (Wixon) Phillips. He was the husband to Marjorie Stevens who passed away in 2001.

William was an Army Veteran and member of the American Legion of Ashland. He retired from Kidde Fenwall in 1998.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Debbie Bourassa and her husband Thomas of Auburn, Donna Deleo and her husband Steven of Auburn; his siblings, Richard Phillips of Glenn Falls, NY and Carol Gavelis and her husband Anthony and Jennie Puglisi both of Natick. He also leaves behind his granddaughter Cassie Deleo of Auburn as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a brothers Robert and Walter Phillips and a sister
Patricia Phillips.

A graveside service will take on Thursday November 18, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hopkinton on Rt. 135. Arrangements are under the
care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

HHS Drama Presents:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Hopkinton Middle School Auditorium
Friday 11/12 at 7:30pm;

Sat. 11/13 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm

and Sun. 11/14 at 2:00pm
Tickets: $10 adults; $8 students & seniors

Photo from Friday performance, below, scrolls.

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Historical Society Harvest Supper

November 12, 2010 — Above, Ron Yankee looks over some silent auction items, while Anne Zettek does the same in the background at the Hopkinton Historical Society Autumn Supper in the Parish Center of St. John the Evangelist Church. The proceeds from the auction items, donated by local businesses, residents and society members, will be used to further restore the Society's building on Hayden Rowe Street, the former Grange building.

Me and My Shadow

November 12, 2010 — These Hopkinton boys playing a pick up game of basketball cast long shadows from the western sun today at the courts on Hayden Rowe Street.

Eye-Popping Art at Colella's

November 12, 2010 — The walls of Colella's Red Barn Cafe are covered with art, in this case in the photo above by Hopkinton artist Marlene Troupes, whose warm and summery colors draw the eyes of anyone in view of them.

Reminder:

Hopkinton's Overshine CD Release Party

Saturday November 13, 2010

8:00 - 10:00 pm

Middle East Upstairs

472-480 Mass Ave Cambridge

  1. 4:00 September 16, 2010, 08:23 PM |
    Boston area band, Overshine, sings about a trip to California ... Boston area band, Overshine, sings about a trip to California with a main squeeze.

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Got Breakfast Buffet?

You are invited Sunday to Ciao Time, 28 Main Street 

(Remember Clayton Willoughby's Spring performance, upper left)

The Friday Night Feast

At the Golden Spoon, 85 West Main Street

See video on left

 

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Today's Schedule:

9:30- sign in

9:45- Introduction and remarks from Town Manager Norman Khumalo, and Compass at Golden Pond Executive Director Holly Williams

10-11:30- “Alzheimer’s disease: What It Is. What It Isn’t and What To Do About It”. Presented by Beverly Moore, author of “Matters of the Mind and of the Heart” and owner of StilMee, an Alzheimer’s coaching organization.

11:30 - Lunch and visiting with local eldercare agencies and vendors

12:15-1:45 - Panel of experts including representatives from BayPath Elder Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, Senior Living Residences and Eldercare Resources Services. Participants will have an opportunity before-hand to write down questions, specific to their own caregiving situations, for the panel to answer.

1:45 - Closing remarks and raffle

 

Tom McIntyre Does it Again

 

• Woodville Fire Station Bell

• Firemen's Memorial

• Fire Station Sign

• Colella's Corner

And now, Winter and Pond Streets Marker

 

Mouse-over image to see other side of marker

November 11, 2010 — Tom McIntyre (McIntyre Loam) noticed that a long-standing tree that was removed from the crisscrossing intersection of Pond and Winter Streets after a storm two years ago left the area looking empty. In addition to the intersection of the two streets being difficult for visitors to navigate, Mr. McIntyre said that GPS is also difficult in that area.

     Mr. McIntyre sought and received approval to design and erect a large granite marker made from granite that was hanging around the Larter property, and with the help of his brother Dan McIntyre, Joe Capobianco and Artie Pyne, planted it in the middle of the intersection.

HHS Drama Presents: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Hopkinton Middle School Auditorium
Friday 11/12 at 7:30pm; Sat. 11/13 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm and Sun. 11/14 at 2:00pm
Tickets: $10 adults; $8 students & seniors

Photo by Bill Horsman

"Freedom Is Not Free" — Tom Argir, former Principal Center School

November 11, 2010 — Hopkinton American Legion Post 202 held their annual Veterans Day celebration at Town Hall today. Former Center School Principal Tom Argir, who is renown for beginning the school's Flag Day celebration. On this day he emphasized the veterans as one important group of people, along with parents, family, doctors, dentists, teachers and friends.

    "Thank you veterans for your commitment to our country, to our safety and to our freedom... freedom is not free."

    Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the signing of the Armistice between the allied powers and Germany ending the fighting on the Western Front. It was signed on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 am, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, a coincidence that has been  noted ever since with a moment of silence by its adherents.

     The "war to end all wars" turned out to be the first of two major conflicts of the Twentieth Century, and following the second one, in 1954, the holiday was given its current name.

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Open Mic

November 11, 2010 — Janet Feld was one of several musicians who joined ESL's Open Mic, hosted by Barbara Kessler at CiaoTime, 28 Main Street, which is held the first Saturday of every month.

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PTA Reflections Program
Deadline: Monday, November 22


New! Earn a FREE Ice Cream Cone from Golden Spoon just by entering! "Together We Can," that's our new theme for this year's PTA Reflections Competition! Reflections recognizes and awards artistry & creativity at the local, state and national level. Show us your talent in any of the following categories: Literature, Photography, Dance Choreography, Film/Video Production, Musical Composition or Visual Arts. Entries are judged by how well you interpret and deliver along the theme. Go to http://www.hptaonline.com/reflections.html for rules, forms and more information.

Hiller Cheer First

 

The Hiller cheerleaders did it again, another FIRST PLACE finish at the Shepherd Hill Invitational - 3 straight!  They compete this weekend to defend their State South Regional Championship Title and for a bid to the Division 2 State Championship at Dartmouth High School.  Start time is 1:00!
 

 

PJB and FCCH

 

 

 

Over the last 6 weeks FCCH has partnered with Project Just Because to provide blankets for PJB’s Keep A Family Warm efforts.  CherylAnn Lambert-Walsh had forecasted a need for 3500 blankets this winter; we’ve been fortunate enough to raise over 5,000.  Folks have made blankets, bought them in bulk, involved their neighbors, co-workers, schools and companies (one Holliston school raised over 500 on their own).  It’s been a great effort, one many folks in Hopkinton have been part of.

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HHS Robotics Team enters First Robotics competition

 

Left, team member Michael Scott records design notes at the October 27th meeting. Photo supplied by the robotics team

 

by Tony Gao, Team President

The HHS Robotics Team is off to a great start this year. The team has decided to challenge their computer and engineering prowess in this year’s FIRST Tech Challenge, called “Get Over It!” The students will face many engineering challenges and will be required to design and build new robotic systems based on certain given building blocks (provided by FIRST). October has been busy month for the team; they just finished organizing into hierarchal, specialized sub-teams, where members in each category will focus on their respective chosen specialties. Also, a forum for the team members has been created, courtesy of team member Nick Vanbeek.

 

This First Robotics challenge offers benefits to the students beyond just the competition; teams that build exceptional winning robots and rank high in the Tech Challenge competition can be offered scholarships to college.

 

Currently, the team is in need of volunteers in the fields of robotics, mechanical engineering, and software engineering to be mentors to the team. If you are interested volunteering, please contact our team faculty advisor, Mr. Worrell, via his email: sworrell@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

 

USMC, MSP Kick Off Toys for Tots Campaign

 

November 10, 2010 — Today marks the United States Marine Corps’ birthday. Appropriately, this day also signifies the beginning of the annual Toys for Tots season. The 2010 Toys for Tots campaign marks the 26th year that the Massachusetts State Police have partnered with the Marine Corps for the administration of this program in Massachusetts.

 

Those wishing to donate new, non-violent, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ranging in age from newborn to 18 years may drop the toys off at any Massachusetts State Police barracks. Donors may also choose to send monetary donations to: Massachusetts State Police, Toys for Tots Coordinator, 124 Acton Street, Maynard MA 01754.  All checks shall be made out to “Toys for Tots.”

 

Last year, the Massachusetts State Police collected approximately 42,000 toys while also collecting more than $4,000 in donations. The toys were provided to area charities. The money was also provided to charities to assist with toy purchases and holiday meals for families served by those organizations. Once again, difficult economic conditions leave many families in need of assistance this holiday season.

 

Toy donations in 2009 were down approximately 30 percent from 2008, while financial donations fell almost 50 percent in the same time period. Now, more than ever, the Toys for Tots program needs the assistance of those who can help provide support to families that will otherwise go without this holiday season.

 

The Massachusetts State Police are grateful to the public and the media for their support of the Toys for Tots program over the last quarter century, and offer thanks in advance for continued support this year. ~ Massachusetts State Police

 

Golden Pond Appeals Decision

 

November 10, 2010 — Golden Pond Resident Care Corp has today appealed a Nov 1, 2010 Decision by Town of Hopkinton Planning Board dealing with the Site Plan Review of the expansion of their business.
 

The appeal will be heard by the Hopkinton Board of Appeals, a quasi-judicial administrative board of the Town of Hopkinton. It a broad-based appeal.
 

Points of contention during the hearings by the Planning Board were off-site improvements; a third travel lane on west Main Street, as well as sidewalks fronting other properties not owned by the applicant.
 

According to Attorney Wayne Davies, who represents the appellant, and is a former Chairman of the Hopkinton Board of Appeals, Golden Pond will provide the Board with detailed information ahead of the opening of the Public Hearing.

 

"We're hoping for the start of the Public Hearing in early December," Mr. Davies said this evening.

 

 

Same Chat, Different Graphic

      Still the same great chat, but with a large click-through button for now. HopNews took the advice of a longtime reader and enlarged the ad space to fit the reader's idea of its value in checking the pulse of some of the people in town, sharing ideas and being entertained.

      As HopNews continues to grow and to add features, readers' feedback and advice is taken very seriously.

      And for those who would like to offer suggestions, the discussion page, Town Talk is a great way to do it quickly. But for those who want to be taken more seriously and get a response, email is a good way.

Selectmen Seek To Add Prop 2 ˝% Difference From Previous Two Years*

“If it takes an additional $300 average [per household] tax increase in 2012 to provide schools with the money they need to protect the service, I am willing to ask for it.” ~ RJ Dourney, Chairman Board of Selectmen (File photo)

 

by Muriel Kramer

November 10, 2010 — The question is not whether next year’s taxes will go up, but rather how much will they go up. Last night the selectmen formally kicked off the budget process by establishing guidelines for department heads to use in formulating the budget for FY 12. The Board directed departments to fund their budgets at FY11 level dollars and identify mission critical items that would not fit within those dollars; the Board included in their vote an upper limit in their willingness to tax the residents, that limit is 2.5% plus the additional $900 thousand dollars in excess levy capacity spread out evenly over the next two years.

 

In the last two years Hopkinton’s tax payers have seen tax increases that fell below the allowable 2 ˝% maximum allowed by law without an override; that means that Hopkinton currently has about $900,000 available in excess tax capacity that by law the Selectmen can tap into for future budgets. This approach means that the average tax bill in Hopkinton may increase up to 3.26% next year without an override vote. The selectmen voted unanimously to support this approach.

 

Budget forecasts indicate that increasing taxes this year 2 ˝% plus half of the allowable levy surplus still leaves a gap between available funds and expenses of about $215,762. This gap may be even wider with new information still to be included from the School Department’s budget; School Superintendent Jack Phelan outlined an additional million dollar gap in the budget. There is approximately $700K that will not be available to the School from other funding sources as had been the case last year; further, he reminded the Board that teachers deferred step increases last year with the understanding that those increases would be back next year.

 

Selectman Chairman RJ Dourney began discussion on the budget message saying, “There has been a significant effort over the last two years to ensure your tax dollars are spent efficiently. We were very aware of the economic climate that exists.” Speaking to the need to protect services, he continued, “We’ve come to appreciate a certain level of services. They are best in class. For two years we’ve done our best to keep taxes low and protect services.” Later in the meeting advocating for the approach to tax up to the maximum 2 ˝% plus the additional allowable levy limit over 2 years, he asserted, “If it takes an additional $300 average tax increase in 2012 to provide schools with the money they need to protect the service, I am willing to ask for it.”

 

Town Manager, Norman Khumalo, presented his overview. Asserting that everyone involved remains committed to investigating opportunities to pursue efficiencies, “Over the last three budget cycles, there has been a gallant effort to contain costs, but now some programs are at risk.” Looking ahead, Khumalo favors the approach voted by the Selectmen to meet the immediate budget pressures and build into the process some “financial resilience”. “I am committed to paying attention to the long term financial health of this town.” According to Khumalo, the budget message needs to take into account the Town’s commitment to protecting our investment in services and contemplate the community’s willingness to pay to support those services.

* The word "Seek" has been added to headline for clarity.

MUCH MORE...

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 Senior Moments

Seniors Feted with Golden Tea

No ID required

COA Chairperson Carol Walsh chatting with Sterling Hagar

 

Nancy L. Drawe (Punky)

 

November 10, 2010 — I’m running a bit behind because of a lot of “busy-ness” lately, but there’s one special event that happened at the senior center recently that I don’t want to miss writing about.   A few weeks ago, the “Golden Oldies” of Hopkinton were treated to a very special tea party hosted in their honor by the Council on Aging Board Members.  This annual “Golden Tea” is for any person in town age 80 and over, and by the show of attendance at the center that day, it certainly is a very popular event. 

 

Each year, the members of the Council on Aging Board plan an afternoon where they can do something special just for the “over 80” seniors in Hopkinton.  The tea party had been such a hit when it was first started at the “old” senior center in the basement of the town hall 15+ years ago, that the COA members have continued hosting this party every year since.

 

It’s such a lovely way for the members of the COA to honor all these seniors.  It gives everyone a chance to reconnect with some of their friends from way back when and talk about the good ol’ days.   Chairperson Carol Walsh said the best part of the afternoon is being able to chat with the seniors and listen to some of their stories. 

 

The tables are brightly decorated with lovely napkins and plates, the pretty tea cups that are displayed on the hutches in the dining area, and beautiful floral centerpieces made especially for this occasion each year by the Hopkinton Garden Club members.   During the afternoon, the COA members serve coffee, tea and a yummy dessert to the seniors.  How about pound cake topped with ice cream and fudge sauce?  That was a hit!   

 

Cheers to the Council on Aging board for making this Golden Tea such a success and fun time every year.  Since I’m a senior-in-training, I’m hoping that I’ll be around to be a part of this some day! 

 

Don’t miss my annual Thanksgiving column coming up next week! 

 

That’s it for now, so if you have any comments or suggestions, you can email me:  Punkala@aol.com.  Until next time, have a great week! 

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TREE SALE

 

Boy Scout Troop1 in Hopkinton will be selling Christmas Trees behind Colella's again this year. The tree lot opens Friday November 26th at noon. The hours after that are Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-8 PM, Fridays 4-9 PM, Saturdays 8 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays 8:30 AM to 6PM.

ESL'S Little Mermaid

Hopkinton High School

November 20 and 21

10:00 am and  1:00 pm

 

HOPKINTON, MA (November 9, 2010) – Enter Stage Left Theater will be presenting The Little Mermaid, performed by a cast ranging in age from preschool to third grade, on November 20 and 21 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton High School. Tickets are $10 for adults; and $5 for children (ages 12 years and under) and Stage Door Members. Tickets are available at www.enterstagelefttheater.com.

 

This is a new program for us.   We have had such a demand for theater from our youngest performers that we added another show to our season, “said Kelly Grill, co-founder of ESL. “Pioneer Drama's version of The Little Mermaid follows the story most closely to Disney's version.   Audiences will delight at the sea creatures, mermaids, sharks and of course the Sea Witch!   It is great family entertainment.” Grill added that this production is being directed by ESL’s new Children’s Director, Arlynn Poletta, and her assistant Blair Guild.   

Local Scouts Help to Spruce up the Hopkinton Historical Society

 

In honor of 100 years of Scouting, volunteers from Boy Scouts from Troop 1 and Cub Scouts from Pack 97 performed a Good Turn for America this past Sunday by cleaning up the museum and painting the fence at the Hopkinton Historical Society. Local Boy Scouts,

Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts will also be picking up bags for Scouting for Food this coming Saturday, November 13, 2010 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  Scouting for Food donates non perishable food to the Hopkinton Project Just Because Food Pantry for Hopkinton residents. Contributed photo of Brady Auslander (L) and Devin Kelly (R). .

 

KEEFE TECH’S NEW HOUSE BUILDING PROJECT ALL IN THE FAMILY

Twice is the charm for Hopkinton family

 

Keefe Technical School students recently began work for the school’s annual House Building Project located at 7 Walker Street in Hopkinton. This marks the eighth house that Keefe Tech students have built in the town of Hopkinton and is the second home built for members of the Chatten Family.

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA – November 9, 2010 - Keefe Technical School students have begun work for the school’s annual House Building Project and are crafting a home for members of the Chatten Family of Hopkinton for the second time.

 

Colleen Chatten of Hopkinton was so impressed with the house that Keefe Technical School students built for her in 2003 that she recommended the school service to her son, Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Laura. The couple applied to the program and was selected through a random lottery system.

 

“My husband and I are very thankful for this opportunity. We were both raised for the majority of our lives in Hopkinton, and just last year we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to stay in town,” explained Laura Chatten. “So, we feel incredibly fortunate that we have been given this chance to have a future here and continue to raise our children and be close to family. We will be forever grateful to all the Keefe Tech students and staff who have and will be a part of this wonderful project,” she added.

 

Carpentry, Plumbing, and Electrical students began work on the new house construction in early September soon after the foundation was poured and the water and sewer systems were installed. Throughout the remainder of the school year, they will build, assemble, and put the finishing touches on the home, from frame to interior finishes.

 

“It’s very meaningful to us that the Chatten family liked our work so much that they applied for the chance to use our service again,” noted John Brochu, Keefe Technical School Vocational Coordinator. “The students who work on this project always walk away feeling proud of what they have accomplished. It’s such a great opportunity for them to build their career technical skills.”

 

The home, located at 7 Walker Street in Hopkinton, will be the eighth house built by Keefe Technical School’s House Building Project in the town. Each year, the school constructs one home in a member town of the district, for a resident of the district selected at random from qualified applications. In order to qualify for the House Building Project, the applicant must be a resident of the Keefe Tech 5-town district of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Natick, must own property or have a valid option of agreement for the purchase of property at the time of application, and must provide financial statements satisfactory to the district indicating ability to meet the obligations for completion of the project.

 

Keefe Technical School, located in Framingham, MA, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and offers 13 different vocational programs and a complete college preparatory program.

 

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