Mad Hatter Tea Party June 9 

HOPKINTON, MA (May 15, 2012) --- Don’t be late for this very important date! On Saturday, June 9, the Hopkinton Center for the Arts will be kicking off its summer program with a special Mad Hatter Tea Party at the HCA Farmhouse, 98 Hayden Rowe, Hopkinton. Children aged preschool and up are invited to come and decorate cupcakes, create their own Mad Hatter hat and have their pictures taken with characters. “Tea times” must be reserved ahead of time and will be available in half-hour slots from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost for a tea time is $25, and includes tea and cakes, hat and photo.  

“Our theme for our summer program is Alice in Wonderland, so we thought this would be a festive way to celebrate,” said Kelly Grill, executive director at HCA. “We expect the tea time slots to go quickly, so are encouraging parents to sign up their children soon so they won’t miss out on this fun and ‘curiouser and curiouser’ event.” Tea times can be reserved at http://www.hopartscenter.org/

Say Cheese!

May 15, 2012 — Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center clients, staff, volunteers and others pose for a photo with representatives of Paul M Phipps Insurance Agency this morning, while Mikey, yellow shirt, holds up what appears to be a real check.

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Hopkinton Police Department Launches High-Visibility Click It or Ticket Enforcement Mobilization
Massachusetts is Serious about Saving Lives through Seat Belt Use 

Hopkinton, MA –In our continuing effort to save lives, the Hopkinton police department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and over 120 other local departments, is launching a high-visibility seat belt enforcement mobilization called Click It or Ticket. The message is simple: Massachusetts drivers and passengers should always wear their seat belts or be prepared to face the consequences.  

During the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, which runs from May 14th through June 3rd, thousands of extra state and local police will patrol the state’s streets and highways in a concerted effort to promote and enforce seat belt use with the ultimate goal of saving lives.  

Many departments across the state have adopted zero-tolerance policies for seat belt violations signaling the increasing importance of seat belt use. In fact, if pulled over, everyone in the car found not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed. 

“Injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes cost taxpayers and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars every year,” said Chief Richard Flannery “We can help reduce those costs by making sure people buckle up, every trip, every time.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on known usage, 49 percent of the people killed in passenger motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts during 2010 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. 

“A lot of people shrug off the statistics because they see themselves as good drivers,” said Chief Flannery “but they forget that they can get hurt because of other reckless drivers. Your best defense is to buckle up.” 

Seat belt use can be the difference between life and death. It is the best defense in a crash. Remember to Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time. 

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.

Student from Hopkinton Wins Competition 

Mackenzie Fairbanks, a junior who attends Keefe Tech and resides in Hopkinton, took first place at the State competition of SkillsUSA in Marlborough, MA on April 26-28^th. He competed in the Electrical Construction Wiring portion. By winning the gold, he advances to the National competition that will take place in late June in Kansas City, MO. Here is a description of the contest:  

Electrical Construction Wiring (formerly Residential Wiring)
Contestants are required to complete a written test of questions formulated from the latest edition of the NEC, a practical conduit bending exercise and a hands-on installation of a conduit system, cabling system and wiring devices. Working from drawings and specification sheets, contestants are required to install an electrical system common with most residential projects. Judging is based on general workmanship, accuracy of layout and installation, and adherence to the current national Electrical Code and standard industry safe practices. Contestants knowledge of the materials used in the electrical industry will be tested when they are required to fill an order from a bill of material that will be used to complete the hands-on portion of this contest.

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Tough Mudder (Before)
Mouse-over for "after"

May 14, 2012 — Live.For.Evan picture from the Tough Mudder.  Last weekend, in loving memory of Evan N. Girardi, family and friends took part in the Tough Mudder Competition up in VT in Mt. Snow. The event was an absolute blast with 25 obstacles on a 10 mile course. Due to the high level of success, Team Live.For.Evan is looking to become a annual participant in the event.

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Comey Chapel Reopening & Civil War Tour

On Sunday, May 20^th at 2 PM, the town’s Comey chapel in Evergreen Cemetery (304 Wood St.) will be reopened and rededicated, followed by a Civil War walking tour of the cemetery, focusing on the Comeys and other Hopkinton veterans who fought for the Union. The chapel, built in 1918 by son of Woodville and Civil War Veteran Henry Newton Comey, had been closed for over 30 years and had fallen into disrepair. It was dedicated to the many members of the Comey family who served during the war, as well as to H.N. Comey’s wife Augusta Wood Comey. Through volunteer efforts and Community Preservation Act funding for roof replacement, this charming stone chapel has been restored for the townspeople to use again for memorials or other small services.  

In recognition of the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War and to honor the Hopkinton veterans who served, a Civil War tour will follow the rededication ceremony. Period-costumed guides will give an overview of these soldiers’ experiences, and some of the battles represented, and will explain events that shaped the course of the war. Henry Newton Comey served all four years of the war and later stood guard in the courtroom throughout the trial of the Lincoln conspirators. His experiences, and those of the eight Comeys who served, tell a remarkable story of valor and love of country. The Cemetery Commission invites you to come learn about the service of these Civil War soldiers and honor their sacrifice, as the doors of this town treasure, the Comey Chapel, are opened once again.

Endorses Jon Graziano

Editor:
It is my pleasure to endorse Jon Graziano for School Committee. Over the past year, I have worked with Jon on the Appropriations Committee. Jon has been a dedicated member who does his homework and grasps the complexities of the Town budgeting process. He has been professional in his approach with the other members of the committee and with those presenting requests to the committee. He asks insightful questions, sees both sides of each question and makes his decisions based upon what is the best for the Town. He is a true team player. 

As liaison to the School Committee, Jon has spent considerable time reviewing the school budget. He has shared the insight gained in this work with the AC to help all of us better understand what is requested. Jon is not afraid to make tough decisions based upon thoughtful consideration and research.  

Because of this type of approach, I believe that Jon will be a valuable addition to the School Committee. The school budget is the largest that the town funds, aimed at our most important resource - our children. I am confident that Jon can balance both the educational development and the financial challenges that we face in order to benefit the entire community.  

Please vote for Jon for School Committee on Monday, May 21. 

Ron Eldridge
10 Alexander Road
Hopkinton, MA
May 14, 2012

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Community Garden

May 13, 2012 — According to the town's website:

 "Max Vumbaca created this community garden for his Eagle Scout Service Project at EMC Park. In addition to a large charity lot for Project Just Because, there are thirty lots available to be rented by local families. These lots are 10’ x 10’ and cost $30 for one year of use. Water is provided on the site, and a deer fence is in place to keep out critters. Raise flowers or fresh fruits and vegetables. This garden is perfect for anyone who has always wanted to garden but has a shady, rocky, uneven lawn or simply never knew how to start. "

Hours: Dawn 'til Dusk
Please refer to plot map and select open plot.
To register go to activityreg.com

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Why Did the turtle...
Mouse-over photo for extreme close-up

May 13, 2012 — This old-timer gets a hand crossing the street from Ernie Hart, who stopped his bicycling on Pond Street to do his good deed. Mouse-over the photo for a close-up of the turtle.

Three's Company

May 13, 2012 — Vet Tech Eleanor Nicol takes two of her favorite animals on their daily constitutional on Grove Street today.

A Day for Kids

May 12, 2012 — Eighty-four kids had a lot of fun today at the Woodville Rod & Gun's annual Kids Fishing Derby. Everything caught was measured. This included sunfish, bull frogs, and snakes! The kids and parents were treated to burgers, hotdogs, venison sausages, and grilled salmon. All who entered received a prize; those who caught the biggest fish in their age group also received a trophy.

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Register Today!
4 weeks and counting 

The Sharon Timlin Memorial Event
will be held rain or shine on
SUNDAY JUNE 10, 2012 at 8:30 am  

Honored Guest: Mike Timlin (file photo), retired MLB Pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Enjoy the 5K race, kids races, food, kids games, raffles/silent auction, live music and much more. All proceeds benefit the Angel Fund supporting ALS Research. For more information visit our website

Our event includes:

• 5k Run/Walk at 8:30 am, professional net timing, limited to 1800 participants

• Kids 1-Mile Race for ages 7-10, professional net timing, limited to 200 participants

• Family fun day with dunk tank, games, face painting, live music, food, raffles, and silent auction

• Going Green initiative continues with recycling and composting, bamboo t-shirts, bike valet, and shoe/sneaker recycling. Please visit the Going Green page on our website for more details.

Register Today!
Don't delay - we have less than 700 bibs for the 5k and only 100 spots left for the kids 1 mile. Click here to register. Mail in registration forms are available also. Click here. 

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“I’m very excited to kick off this campaign,” Dykema said. “There is nothing more gratifying to me than being a full-time advocate for our communities.” I hope the voters of this district will give me the opportunity to continue to serve. There’s still much work to be done.”

Sixteen Hopkinton Students Place at State Level

Three More Move on to National PTA Reflections Program

Students from schools across Massachusetts were honored on April 28^th at the Fitchburg Art Museum for placing at the state level of the National Reflections Program competition. 

Sixteen Hopkinton students placed at the state level and received awards for arts excellence and achievement through the National PTA Reflections program. 

Three students placed first in their categories: Helen Gao, Matthew Paolucci, and Sean Walker. These students will move onto the national level of competition.  

We are very proud of all our state winners and excited for those competing at nationals. Results should be available by the end of May. We wish them the best of luck during this competition. 

Reflections is a national arts-based program that encourages students to express their creativity across a theme and through a variety of mediums. This year’s theme was “Diversity Means…”. The program competition begins at the local level with winners moving onto state and then the final, national level.

Winners pictured at the Fitchburg Art Museum: (Back Row) Matthew Paolucci, Abigail Furlong, Alexandra Holmes, Jacob Burden

(Front Row) Sean Walker, Sarah Kang, Ailene Barry, Mirabella Paolucci, Hannah Ianelli, and Catharine Barry.  

Additional Hopkinton state winners not pictured: Allison Chen, Sam Chirco, Melanie Cole, Mia Coutinho, Katie Litchfield, and Helen Ga

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Relay For Life 2012

May 11, 2012 — Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society national effort to fundraise for Cancer Research is holding its Hopkinton version, looking a little like tent city behind the Middle School, was in the black for about $135,000 at the start of the event Friday evening. The student leaders (Video tomorrow) expect to reach more than $165,000 by the end of the event Saturday morning.
      The evening consists of a celebration of life, games, sports, and music by inspiration, as well as a heartwarming tribute to survivors, and a memorial to those who have passed away due to that most insidious group of diseases known as cancer.
       Planned events are an unbroken walk around the track, a survivors' lap around the track — 40 signed up this year — a survivors' dinner following that, and a luminaria, where people lit luminaries, and organizers light some on the opposite bleachers, arranged to spell the word "CURE." 

FROM ACS:       "In 2012, more than 95 events planned across Massachusetts are expected to raise more than $11 million to help the American Cancer Society save lives and create a world with more birthdays. Last year, 3.5 million people nationwide participated in Relay For Life and more than 600,000 cancer survivors were celebrated. Relay raised $385 million at 5,146 sites throughout the United States and took place in nearly 900 communities around the world evolving into a worldwide movement to end cancer. The Society can be reached day or night for up-to-the-minute cancer information at its toll-free information line, 1-800-227-2345, or its Web site, cancer.org ."

Choose a thumbnail to enlarge, scroll down for more photos, and check back for a video tomorrow.

Great Year for Historical

May 12, 2012 — Hopkinton Historical Society President William Shaw presented the members at the Annual Meeting and potluck supper the good news on Friday evening: The revenues are up, the website is complete, and the checking account is on the black.
      The next big event will be a yard sale at the 168 Hayden Rowe Street location on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, 2012, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.     

D.A. Leone and Police Chiefs Address the Dangers of Unused Prescription Drugs
New Drug Collection Units Offer Safe Disposal • Hopkinton Police Dept Chosen for Drop-off 

WOBURN - May 11, 2012 - Middlesex County residents will now have a free, safe method to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication thanks to a new drug collection program announced today by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

MedReturn Drug Collection Units will be delivered by today to 29 police departments in Middlesex County. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office purchased the units for the departments through drug forfeiture funds, which can be used for the purpose of drug rehabilitation, drug education and other anti-drug efforts.

“Illegal use of prescription drugs is the nation’s fastest growing drug problem,” DA Leone said. “Our aim is to assure that prescription drugs are only in the hands of those who they are prescribed for, and not in the hands of young people who have easy access family medicine cabinets where they can use and abuse them. These new drug collection units provide an effective and convenient method for disposal of unwanted medications without harming our environment, and keeping powerful addictive drugs off of the streets.”

The effort is part of the District Attorney’s goal to address issues of substance abuse among young people. An estimated 2.4 million Americans misused prescription drugs for the first time within the past year, and about a third of those users were age 12 to 17, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The drug collection units will be placed at each local police station. Medication can be disposed of anonymously at any time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Heath, more than 70 percent of people who abused prescription pain killers got them from relatives or friends. Additionally, the study reports, more and more opiate overdoses are now a result of prescription painkillers.

Every day, on average, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA also reports that 56 percent of teens say prescription drugs are easier to get than illicit drugs. Two in five teens believe that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs.

The 29 towns in Middlesex County receiving the units are: Acton, Ayer, Belmont, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Everett, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Littleton, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Melrose, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Sherborn, Somerville, Stow, Wakefield, Watertown, Wayland, Weston, Wilmington, and Woburn.

Middlesex County is the largest county in Massachusetts and one of the largest counties in the country with 54 towns and cities and 26 colleges in urban, suburban, and rural areas, comprising over one quarter of the population of Massachusetts. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has offices throughout the county, including communities such as Ayer, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Natick, Newton, Somerville, Waltham and Woburn.

Support for Jean Bertschmann 

           As we all well know, Hopkinton schools have been on an upward trajectory for several years now in its pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement in all areas. It is no coincidence, for instance, that Hopkinton High School was recently ranked by Newsweek magazine as 95^th in the country and second in the state behind Boston Latin Academy.
          And this just in – even more exciting news: The high school was named number three in the state and awarded a gold medal for outstanding accomplishments by U.S. News and World Report.  
          In our community, we are so fortunate to have a large cadre of smart, dedicated and caring principals, teachers, administrators and parent-volunteers – working together at all levels in the school district – to achieve these measurable goals and help students succeed.
          As a school committee member who is now up for re-election, Jean Bertschmann is one of those people who works tirelessly for others while tackling tough issues that make our schools strong.
          In her role as chairperson, Jean is a great listener and leader who consistently shows a healthy respect for other people’s points of view when making important decisions. As former HPTA president, mother of four outstanding Hopkinton students and active school volunteer for 15 years including dedicated service in the Boosters store, she also is someone who understands the dynamics between teachers, students and technology. Her efforts working with key decision makers in the community have resulted in many creative and cost-effective initiatives including: academic excellence in classrooms, reduced energy costs, flexible options for Center School, and a tuition-based student foreign exchange program designed to “pay for itself” while giving students valuable worldwide exposure.
          Jean and her colleagues have brought much needed value to this town as they work to achieve the highest possible educational goals for our children within a highly challenging fiscal environment – and the result has been remarkable achievements in all categories. Re-elect Jean to the Hopkinton School Committee on May 21 and help keep Hopkinton schools on the right track! 

Sincerely,
Joy Donohue
41 Blueberry Lane
May 11, 2012

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Post-Marathon Party

May 10, 2012 — The Hopkinton Marathon Committee threw itself a party and invited their friends to Laborers Training Center Thursday evening for a feed put on by TJ's Restaurant, a slideshow of Rich DiMascio's photos and warm camaraderie among a group of people who wants the start of the Boston Marathon to run smoothly and safely.
        The annual event is emceed by Jacques LeDuc, who paints the Start line and is one half of the live announcing team on the morning of the race. Usually, Committee Chair Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace, above with husband Hopkinton Police Lt. Charles Wallace, orchestrates awards for deserving individuals who then accept them from her or an appropriate individual. Thursday night, the tables were turned.
         Thursday evening, she was presented awards for her work from both branches of the state house, from Representative Carolyn Dykema and an emissary of state senator Karen Spilka, a secret kept from her by her husband, who arranged that unnoted part of the evening's itinerary. Above, they embrace following her acceptance.

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Parade and Memorial Day Events in Hopkinton

In case of rain, all services will be held at the Saint John’s Parish Center, on Church St. at 11:00 a.m.

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Drama at State Park

May 10, 2012 — A witness said a canoe carrying two people capsized and its two occupants called for help. A bystander called 911, and emergency fire personnel from Hopkinton and Ashland, and police from Ashland responded the the scene. The couple was out of the water and on the dam by that time. According to the witness, neither was wearing, or in possession of, a personal floatation device.

 Positively Hopkinton

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Hopkinton High School Third in Massachusetts 

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Hopkinton High School third in Massachusetts and Eighty-Ninth in the nation, on their listing of the nation’s top high schools. The first and second-ranked schools in Massachusetts are a charter school and Boston Latin, which is an exam school. Thus, Hopkinton High is the top-ranked ‘regular’ high school in the state. This year, Newsweek also ranked Hopkinton High above all other ‘regular’ high schools in Massachusetts. Both magazines included Hopkinton High School among the top one hundred high schools in America. 

“We’re very proud of our schools, and thrilled to be recognized by these national publications,” said Jean Bertschmann, School Committee Chair. According to Dr. Jonathan Landman, Superintendent of Schools, “Results like these are a tribute to the skilled, dedicated faculty and administrators at Hopkinton High School. They are also the product of outstanding, consistent community support for education, family support for our youth, hard-working students and a strong school system populated at every level by dedicated, expert, caring educators. There’s plenty of credit to go around.”

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