Region –Today is Thursday, May 16, the 138th day of 2012.
With the recent declaration by President Barack Obama that he now supports gay marriage, it is interesting to remember that on this day in 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow marriage between same-sex partners. On that day 78 same-sex couples across the commonwealth exchanged vows.
This report has just been issued from the Mass. State Police: Westborough – State Troopers are on the scene of a Waste Management truck that has rolled over on the Mass. Pike westbound in Westborough. No injuries are reported at this time however, EMS has responded. The right travel lane is closed. A diesel tank [...]
![Education -icon-for-website[1]](http://www.communityadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Education-icon-for-website1-90x65.jpg "Education -icon-for-website[1]"){kind=icon}
Westborough – The Westborough School Committee will be discussing at its May 23 meeting a recent decision it had made which would authorize saliva tests on students suspected of using drugs or alcohol.
At its April 25 meeting, the committee voted to amend the district’s Chemical Health policy to allow both saliva tests and breathalyzers (which have been used for many years) on students who are suspected of being impaired from drugs or alcohol. At that time, Ilyse Levine-Kanji, the committee’s chair, noted the change was just part of a policy-wide review; it was not a reaction to a “perceived problem” or “uptick in risky behavior,” she said.
Westborough – Two Westborough veterans, John Jacob Leonard Matson and the late Stephen Eric Sullivan, have been named the town’s 2012 Memorial Day parade Grand Marshals according to Kenneth G. Ferrera, the town’s assistant veterans agent.
This year’s parade, to be held Monday, May 28, will honor the end of the war in Iraq. Special emphasis will be placed on those veterans of Westborough who have participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
This year’s parade, to be held Monday, May 28, will honor the end of the war in Iraq. Special emphasis will be placed on those veterans of Westborough who have participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Region – Today is Wednesday, May 16, the 137th day of 2012.
Nowadays the Academy Awards are a major production, with the show itself being broadcast all over the world. But on this day in 1929, the Academy held its first ceremony in a much smaller venue, the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. After a long dinner and many speeches (some things never change), the awards were given out in a ceremony that lasted all of five minutes. Not only that, but the winners had already been announced in February!
Westborough – Voters today denied a request for an $11 million debt exclusion to build a new Fire Station. According to Town Clerk Nancy Yendriga, the unofficial results were 912 not in favor to 672 in favor. 1,587 (14 percent) of the 11,097 registered voters cast their votes.
By Bonnie Adams A selectman in a local town (not one covered by the Community Advocate) once told me that “it was the most thankless job, ever.” After sitting through many selectmen and Annual Town Meetings, I would have to say those words certainly have a ring of truth to them. I often wonder “why [...]
Northborough – For midwife Dina Fraize, Mother’s Day has a special meaning. In 1998, when Fraize was pregnant with her fifth child, her mother, Juanita Hayward, was diagnosed with colon cancer. Hayward, then 50, underwent surgery at UMass Memorial, performed by a Dana Farber doctor.
“When my mother was diagnosed, my world came crashing down,” Fraize said. “My insides felt like they dropped out of me. Mom was so young and had small grandchildren who were a huge part of her life. I just can’t imagine being without my mom. She is my hero and my best friend. Everyone who knows her instantly loves her. She is so loving and nonjudgmental and kind.”
Marlborough – The week of April 30 through May 4 was “School Spirit Week” at Whitcomb Middle School, 25 Union St., in Marlborough. In light of the recent fire that ravaged the Lake Williams Condominiums on West Main Street and displaced five Whitcomb families, the theme for spirit week was “We Care.”
In addition to donations of clothing, dry goods (canned food, snacks), entertainment (cards, sports equipment), gift cards, household items (sheets, towels), suitcases and duffle bags, and toiletries, students had other opportunities to participate – in monetary contributions throughout the week. On Tuesday, for example, a $2 donation bought an entry to win one of 50 free passes to Roller Kingdom in Hudson, on Wednesday, students were encouraged to donate coins during lunch and on Thursday, a $1 donation bought the ability to wear a hat during the school day (something which is usually not permitted).
Northborough- Northborough and Southborough teens have a new option for outdoor adventure, called Venture Crew 11. This unit is different from other Boy and Girl Scouts in town because it is co-ed, and its core focus is adventure and even high-adventure. Venture Crew 11 activities include sailing, canoeing, zip lining, backpacking, or whatever the crew decides to tackle.
Jeffrey Somers, of Northborough, along with McKinley Hackett, of Southborough, came up with the idea at a BSA training event last year. The two got to talking and found that they had similar situations with daughters in high school who were interested in doing a variety of outdoor activities, and were looking for an organization that would provide that. They then formed a group of like-minded adults and teenagers and have reformed Crew 11 Venture as a joint Northborough/Southborough unit.