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Princess Tea Twice the Success

January 23, 2012 — Only 100 tickets being sold would have made the organizers of the Princess Tea at the DoubleTree Inn happy, but the first time out for the Hopkinton Library Foundation saw 225 tickets sell quickly before they capped the sales. Their Sunday event was a grand time for all involved, as evidenced above.

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What is the Story with the Downtown Renewal?

Town Manager Norman Khumalo has put together a couple of press releases detailing his perspective of the Downtown initiatives. They are here and here.

 From the Radical Middle  

Thanks for the Memories

by Robert Falcione
January 22, 2012 — An eleven year-old leans over the tray in the corner of the basement, an amber light as dim as can be shining from above, as an eerie silence pervades the anticipation.

The sounds of earth-moving equipment, siblings at play and barking dogs fade into the recesses of his mind as other senses take over.

The smells, like the first overwhelming childhood sniff of a lilac or a rose, were making indelible impressions on the senses. Was it the developer, the fixer, or the stop bath that hit first? Oh, and the image.

Out of nowhere, the image appeared through the wavy fluid, and gave each passing second greater substance than a second had ever had before, as it became more and more clear, as more and more blacks and grays magically appeared. From the developer, into the stop bath, the fixer next, and then the final wash, and hang the memory up to dry.

The camera, film, photographic paper, and the chemicals all said, “Kodak,” and it had been that way for my father's generation before me, and my son's generation after me.

But alas, nevermore. The company that brought photography to the masses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 19, which gives it a breather while a federal court approves plans that decide which people among the $6.8 billion it owes will get paid from the $5.1 billion in assets, while also leaving enough to run the company. It means that the century-plus cycle of innovation and invention, resting on its laurels, more innovation, and more resting on its laurels, would come to some sort of end. Hopefully, it will end differently than a similar story.

Polaroid went Chapter 11 a few years ago.

That was a company of invention, and then sitting on the asset for 50 years, and then suing anyone, like Kodak, who might even think about doing a similar thing. The patent that allowed them a de facto monopoly — rightly or wrongly — on instant film ran out around the same time as the need for their product, and frankly, it caught Polaroid by apparent surprise.

When the digital revolution first appeared, Polaroid tried to capitalize on it by inventing technology, patenting it, and keeping it from the market so they could continue to sell their instant imaging chemical/paper products, whereas Kodak was actually producing some great digital products.

Early on in the digital age, Kodak produced digital cameras for portrait photographers costing around $30,000 that would fit either Nikon or Canon lenses depending upon the brand-model a photographer purchased. I didn't know anyone who rushed out to buy one. They also hit the market for consumers and  prosumers. Ah, the MC3.

The Kodak MC3 was a  a marvel of the time, a technological predecessor to the first iPod, but with no apparent connection to Apple. It cost under $199 on sale. It could take photos, record small Quicktime videos (click on image of musicians) as well as sound, and play as many mp3 files or Quicktime movies a person could fit on a Compact Flash card. I wanted to purchase a second one to replace the one I gave away as a gift, but it was not on the market long enough [Imagine sad-faced emoticon here].

In the meantime, about 12 years ago, we acquired a Kodak Digital Science 8650 dye sublimation printer that turns out stunning, colorful, glossy 8x10 images in 4 minutes. It still does [knock on wood], and on paper that rivals UV-resistant archival quality papers.

Then came the Kodak DC-260, a digital camera that a photography studio could use to shoot 2x2 passport photos with clarity. “You are the reason Polaroid is in trouble,” said one passport photo subject to me after seeing the studio's new method of capture several years ago. I refuse to take the blame for Polaroid's troubles. Heck, I could make a great living on their sunglasses alone.

The Kodak DC-290 was the next step for studios buying into the digital age slowly. It cost around $1,100, as did its predecessor. It could take high school yearbook photos with clarity and deliver a decent 5x7. Then Kodak dropped the ball.

After two years of waiting for Kodak to come out with the next version, the next upgrade that never happened, photographers like me purchased the new camera by Olympus, which could capture an image of enough quality for a 16x20 print, and with color good enough for portraits. Then came Canon two years later.

Canon offered digital cameras that were compatible with their line of EOS 35mm film lenses. Nikon did a similar thing. And Kodak promised one that rivaled the $7,900 Canon camera with a version for nearly half the price. They also promised a printer that rivaled my $7,500 one for about $2,200, or so they claimed.

So, after that first promise from Kodak, I waited before making my next purchase. After the second promise from Kodak, I waited again. The camera never made it to the trade shows, and the printer, on those occasions that it appeared, was not set up for demonstrations.

Before the digital explosion, Fuji had come out with superior films for professionals and amateurs that moved Kodak off of its precarious Rochester, NY perch. The sleeping giant of film developed some great products in response, but it was too late. The digital juggernaut had been unleashed, and many could see the consequences in industries that had previously been sacrosanct. As a result, these days, people can publish news while in their pajamas, or upload news photos from their Ford Focus with ease [Imagine, smiley-faced, winking emoticon here].

I never did see those Kodak products, although I waited patiently. It caused me to forestall my purchase of the next Canon camera for a while, which might have been the intention of Kodak's empty promises — the shell design was apparently ahead of the actual engineering. We eventually got the next three versions of the Canon cameras, and they are still working quite well, thank you.

Kodak had innovative digital products early on. Perhaps the development and manufacture of them would not have earned enough revenue to make up for the anticipated loss of film sales, but it would have been more noble of them to have tried, than not to have tried. In my family, we call what they did, as well as everything that followed, "poor management practices." Hopefully, with the help of a federal court, Kodak's employees will end up with a better fate than the Polaroid retirees and employees, whose stock value plummeted to about 3 cents a share toward the end, and whose pensions shrunk faster than a snowman on a warm, sunny day.

Perhaps Kodak can come out of this mess and remind us of the proud company they once were.

Hopefully, Kodak can thrill the kids of today with a plan for viability that comes to bear with the same methods that thrilled, stunned, and thoroughly overwhelmed the life of an eleven year-old, with the use of invention, science, and business acumen that made an image appear, as if by magic, in an amber-lit basement nearly fifty-four years ago.

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Pack 26 Pinewood Derby

January 22, 2012 — Pack 26 Pinewood Derby winners, relatives and leaders, above.

Up and Away

January 21, 2012 — Sean Gassett gets airborne this afternoon on a jump at the Hopkinton Reservoir Dam. He was among dozens of youngsters who took advantage of the snowstorm by sledding and tubing down the steep hill.

Stating the Obvious

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Pack 4 Pinewood Derby Winners

January 21, 2012 — Last night (1/20) at Hopkins School, Hopkinton Cub Scout Pack 4 had their annual Pinewood derby.  First place winner was Patrick Barnes. As pictured - Tiger winner Wyatt Ruff, Patrick Barnes (1st place), Nate Morrissey (2nd Place), and Michael McCabe (3rd Place).

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Boys Swim and Diving 95-91 Over Previously Unbeaten Needham Team

Jason Cardillo, above, and Jack Mangan, below, show off their diving skills against Needham tonight at Babson College pool. Jason placed first in diving. 

January 20. 2012 — The Hillers Boys Swimming and Diving team had an amazing come from behind win against a Needham team that was 7-0.   

The meet opened with a victory in the first event for Hopkinton, but after the next two events the Hillers found themselves in some trouble, and were down by 10 points.  A strong showing in the 50 free by senior Paul Lagasse and Sophomore John Nadeau started the comeback.  Diver Jason Cardillo won, and then John Lagasse won the butterfly.  Hopkinton went 2,3,5 in the 100 free, but were still down by 10, with only five events to go.   

In the distance event, Sophomore Kevin Lagasse won, followed by fellow Sophomore Patrick Reimonn in 3rd, and another 10th grader, Chris Kimura in 4th.  This meant the team earned 11 points to Needham's 5.  The boys won the next relay, to now only be down by 2 with three events left.  In the backstroke, Seniors Tom Reimonn, and Jeff Wagner and Sophomore Andrew Devine go 2,3,4, which is enough to outscore the Rockets of Needham, making the meet now tied.  Senior John Lagasse and Freshmen Andrew Madigan go 1,3 in the breaststroke to give Hopkinton a 2 point lead going into the last event; the 400 free relay.  A win will clinch the meet for the boys, a second and third means a tie, and anything else means the team loses a heart breaker.  Senior Alex Carbone lead off the relay to give a lead that Kevin Lagasse added to.  Patrick Reimonn kept the lead, and John Nadeau held off a furious charge by the Needham swimmer to preserve the win.  There have been many meets in the history of Hopkinton Swimming and Diving over the 16 year history of the program, and for the boys team, this one ranks as one of the all time best!!

Hopkinton 66, Dover-Sherborn 49

January 20, 2012 — Tim Moberg goes up for two points against Dover-Sherborn at the Athletic Center Friday night.

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High Score

January 20, 2012  — These teens used human Zambonis to clear their own ice at Blood's Pond to play a pickup game of pond hockey today. The score must have been a high one, because there was no goalie in net.

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How Are Ewe?

January 20, 2012 — This ram leads a few ewes behind him toward the human, who they all hope has food on Pond Street today.

Drama Parents/Students Plea to Keep Program

by Muriel Kramer
January 20, 2012 — With expression, creativity, poise and direct eye contact, High School Sophomore Paige Guarino made an effective argument for saving the Middle School Drama Related Arts curriculum as much with her presence while speaking as with her comments. She joined a roomful of others at the School Committee Meeting last night to lend her support to a program that teaches valuable life skills on and off the stage. “Drama is the only class that allows for communication experience, direct expression, and to teach us to present the best selves we can possibly present.” She further made the point that cutting the program is more problematic for the students that don’t voluntarily participate in drama after school; she asserted that those students would miss out entirely on the benefits of creative and effective speaking skills. 

School Committee Chairwoman Jean Bertschmann opened the public comment session first asking how many in attendance were there to support keeping the Drama curriculum to a showing of many hands, when asking for a show of hands if there were any in attendance to support eliminating the program, she quipped, “Well, that will be a much shorter conversation.” Bertschmann thanked everyone in attendance and at home for their feedback and urged continued participation in the budget process. The School Committee holds their Public Hearing on the School Budget next Thursday night January 26^th beginning at 7PM in the Middle School Library and will submit their final budget request to the town by February 1^st.  

Middle School Principal Alan Keller has proposed eliminating the Drama Related Arts Curriculum next year but maintaining the after school drama program targeting a salary savings of $66,000. Michelle Leibowitz, a parent and the former teacher of Drama at the Middle School, asserted that the program teaches necessary life skills and enhances students’ marketability in the future job market. “They learn to listen, write and speak effectively; eliminating this program puts our students at a disadvantage.” 

Kurt Fliegauf made the point that the drama program has enriched his whole family not just his children. He also commented, “This is not a decision about the drama kids. We know how important drama is, and we know the great things it can do. This is a decision about the other kids who otherwise won’t have a chance to learn to express themselves. Cutting the Middle School Drama Program is a terrible idea; please don’t do it.” 

Then looking to kick off the next round of study into solutions for Center School, the School Committee first wanted to recognize and thank the many volunteers who spent countless hours on the proposal to build a new school on Fruit Street. Ultimately, that proposal failed to gain necessary public support; however, the volunteers deserve appreciation for the countless hours they put in and for the valuable contribution they made on behalf of the town. Rebecca Robak recognized all the volunteers individually; “We want to thank everyone for all their hard work.” Next steps for the elementary school project will be discussed in more detail at the School Committee’s next regular meeting February 2^nd. Discussions will include forming a new building committee and whether or not that committee should formally comply with MSBA requirements for membership at this time or in the future when the parameters for the eventual project are better defined. Superintendent of Schools, Jonathan Landman recommended, “Before we move to a committee that meets MSBA requirements, we should define the charge of the building committee.”  

At the next regular meeting on February 2^nd the School Committee will also discuss formulating a Grade Configuration Committee targeting the goal of achieving longer grade spans, but not districting. We understand, “There is not going to be districting or neighborhood schools in Hopkinton anytime in the near future,” remarked Bertschmann.

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Drama at the School Committee Meeting

January 19, 2012 — Parents and some students of Middle School drama poured into tonight's School Committee meeting to speak in favor of keeping the subject alive, and its teacher, Ms. Hallyann Gifford, employed in Hopkinton after hearing word that the subject and its teacher would fall victim to the upcoming year's budget axe. Scores of people attended, and several spoke politely but impassionedly during the "public speaking" portion of the meeting of the benefits their children have reaped by taking drama. HopNews Reporter Muriel Kramer was there. Please check back for her report.

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     State Police Offers Advice For Driving in Snow and Ice  

With the potential for significant snowfall to hit parts of the state tonight and this weekend, the Massachusetts State Police remind motorists of several basic strategies to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips this weekend and throughout the coming months:  

· Take Note of the Local Forecast:  The State Police encourage motorists to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions.  Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Massachusetts Highways. 

· Vehicle Preparation:  With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving.  Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels.  Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.  Motorists should equip their vehicles with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets.  Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility.  Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cellular phone.     

·  Reduce Speed:  Anticipate delays.  Most snow- and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are travelling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions.  Posted speed limits are set for driving under optimal, dry conditions.  If road and weather conditions are adverse, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit. 

·  Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles:  Under optimal driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them.  If the road and weather conditions are adverse, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances. 

·  Keep to the right except to pass: Avoid driving in the left travel lanes. In mixed weather conditions water can collect and pool in areas next to guardrails, jersey barriers and bridge abutments. Driving into these large puddles can cause a vehicle to lose control and hydroplane into a potential car crash.

·  Black Ice:  Transparent ice may form on the roadway.  If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.

·  Buckle Up:  Ensuring everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained is the single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the roads.

·  Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies:  In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cellular phones to immediately be connected to a State Police Communications Center. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.

Anne Mattina of the 300th Anniversary Committee has announced that the meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 21 at 10:30 am in the Middle School cafeteria has been CANCELLED due to expected snow.

Sweet Sounds of Success

January 19, 2012 — Student Shannon Moffat was one of four girls who performed in the Flute Ensemble prior to the formal start of this evening's School Committee meeting. The boys Sax Ensemble also performed, both groups brought to the meeting by Music Director Steve Yavarro.

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Teeter-Car

January 19, 2012 — This car needed a wrecker to get off of this rise that it is teetering on where it went off of the road on Ash Street. There were no injuries among the driver or passenger.

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300th Anniversary Winner Announced, Logo Unveiled

The 300th Anniversary Committee has announced the winner of their log contest, artist Kris Waldman, and has unveiled the winning design, above.

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Share your concerns and find out what’s happening at the Statehouse.
Join
Rep. Carolyn Dykema
For conversation and a free
Continental breakfast
Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9 a.m.
HOPKINTON SENIOR CENTER
28 Mayhew St.  508 497-9730

Fire in Milford apartments and business reported by NECN, above.

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Trails Club Hike 

Sunday, January 22, 1pm: Winter walk at Waseeka. We'll explore the Wasseka Audubon sanctuary with Ron Wolanin from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. This is a beautiful area in east Hopkinton, and Ron is a great guide. Come prepared for the weather and ground conditions (snowshoes?). The sanctuary entrance is on Clinton Street, near the Holliston border. Parking is available at the entrance, or at the school bus turn at the Hopkinton/Holliston border.  Dogs and other pets are not permitted on Audubon properties, on a leash or otherwise. Bicycles are also banned.

Hopkinton Babe Ruth registration is NOW OPEN.
Please go to hopkintonbaberuth.com to register.
All early registrants will have access to a free indoor baseball clinic!!
Register today!
Parents interested in helping out Hopkinton Babe Ruth?
We are interested in you!
 HBR is in need of:

•          Assistant coaches     •    Equipment management Coordinators    •    Pre-Season Coordinator   •     Regular-Season Coordinator

The current openings require minimal time. The meetings are once a month and last 1 to 1.5 hours. No experience is required.
It is a friendly environment that offers help in learning what to do with the current open positions. Please help us to help the kids have the best Babe Ruth experience they can get. To volunteer or for questions please go to hopkintonbaberuth.com and use the "contact us" link.

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Good Samaritan, Trooper Pull Young Men Away from Raging Car Fire on 495 in Raynham

January 18, 2012 — Last night, at approximately 11:30, Stephen Jerome of Tiverton, R.I., was driving home from his job in Franklin, Mass., when he happened upon a car crash. Mr. Jerome stopped, checked on the condition of the car’s two occupants, found both young men injured, and then called 911. Before the call ended he could hear screaming from the occupants that the car was catching fire. Mr. Jerome rushed back to the car and dragged the driver away from the burning car.  

At this time Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Michael Popovics, assigned to State Police Media Relations unit, was commuting home on Route 495 southbound in the town of Raynham when he also came upon the crash scene. The car had crashed into the right side of the bridge abutment, careened across the road come to rest in the median strip. As smoke and flames came from the car’s engine, Sergeant Popovics found Mr. Jerome dragging one of the injured men away from the car and up an embankment. Sergeant Popovics and Mr. Jerome both then dragged the other victim from the side of the burning car to a safe location as the car became fully engulfed.  

Troopers the Middleborough State Police barracks responded to assist as Raynham firefighters and EMS also responded to the scene. The 19-year-old driver from Carver and his 21-year-old passenger from Middleborough were both transported by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence with serious, non-life threatening injuries. The Raynham Fire Department extinguished the fully engulfed car and assisted in the clean up of leaked fluids from the vehicle.  

The cause of the crash is still under investigation but driver fatigue is being examined as a potential contributing factor. No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.

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BAA 2012 Invitational Application Assignment Process 

In accordance with Section 2 of the Hopkinton Marathon Policy, the Board of Selectmen will distribute invitational applications for the upcoming 2012 Boston Marathon in the following manner:  

The BAA has provided the Town of Hopkinton with 45 invitational applications for the 2012 race. Of those 45 invitational applications, 14 will be distributed directly to the Hopkinton Police Department; four will be distributed to the Hopkinton Fire Department; five to the Marathon Committee; four to the Senior Center; and one to the Hopkinton Historical Society.  

The remaining 17 invitational applications will be distributed to qualified organizations through a lottery that will take place at a special Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. In order to qualify for the lottery, an organization must fit one or more of three category descriptions outlined in the Marathon Policy, namely: 

• Organizations undertaking activities for the benefit of the Town of Hopkinton; 

• Organizations undertaking public service activities within the Town of Hopkinton; and 

• Organizations undertaking public service activities within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Those qualified organizations that would like to be included in the lottery must fill out the BAA Invitational Numbers Application, and submit it to the Town Manager at Hopkinton Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton by noon on January 24, 2012. Each organization may request up to 17 invitational applications. Organizations that receive invitational applications through the lottery may then distribute them directly to individual runners that agree to raise money for the organization, and agree to comply with all terms and conditions set by the BAA.