HUDSON – Hudson resident James “Jim” Morais has closed the door on his Village Real Estate business after 53 years in business. It was a “soft closing” and Jim and some staff members “just went out for coffee” after shutting the door on the 56 Main St. business.
Morais said he was working at Lapointe Machine Tool Co. a few years after his graduation from Hudson High School in 1948, when he was encouraged to enter the real estate business by the late Dennis Murphy, founder of Murphy Insurance Co. Village Real Estate was opened next to Murphy offices on Pope St. in 1970, and after a renovation, moved around the corner to the 56 Main St. address.
Morais recalled that in the 1970s Hudson homes were selling for $16,000 to $22,000, adding “now we have a $700,000 property under agreement.” He said that now is a difficult time to buy a home, “because house prices are going up and interest rates are high.”
“I enjoyed meeting people and helping them find a home they would enjoy,” Morais said, noting that he had recently been selling to a second generation, children of previous buyers.
Longest-time employee Richard “Dick” Kerdok, who closed the door with Morais, recently marked his 5lst year as a real estate broker. Also there until the end was Tony Aponte who was on the staff for about 35 years. Morais recalled former brokers on Village Real Estate staff, some of whom have passed away: Ed Brennan, John Waters, Hugo Guidotti, Richard Hastings and Dave O’Neil.
Morais has been a member of Hudson Lodge of Elks and St. Michael Parish for many years. He and his wife, Loraine, a Leominster native, recently marked their 56th wedding anniversary.
“Mean Girls” to be performed
Hudson High School Drama Society will present the musical, “Mean Girls,” based on the movie by Tina Fey, Friday and Saturday evenings, Jan. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Paul “Skip” Johnson auditorium, Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St., Hudson. The Hudson presentation, rated PG-13, follows Amelia Dufour as “Cady,” navigating high school hierarchy after years of homeschooling. A live pit orchestra accompanies the show, funded by Hudson Cultural Council grant. The show is directed by Alyssa MacDonald, choreographed by Steven Yerardi and musical direction by Sarah Worrest. Tickets at the door are $15 adults, $12 for seniors/students.
Hudson L&P begins project
According to circulars included in monthly Hudson Light & Power Dept. bills, the company has broken ground on the Sudbury-Hudson Transmission line service. The $1.6 million Control House has arrived and will support Eversource’s new transmission line from Sudbury. Site excavation will begin in 2024 and over the next year and one half additional equipment will be delivered and installed, with expected completion in 2025.
No overnight parking
Local residents note that overnight parking is prohibited on Hudson streets until April 1, 2024, and will be enforced by Hudson Police Dept.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jan. 13 – Liz Sheldon, Lynne Micciche, Michelle Lapointe, Jen Wallingford, Diane White, Matt Jacobs, Connor Lambert and Tom Barry
Jan. 14 – Michael Janusis, Paul Figueiredo, Donna Shepard and Sheldon Rockwell
Jan. 15 – Cassia Monteiro and Ernest Sahlin
Jan. 16 – David Gigliotti, Brittany Scerra and Sophia DiFonzo
Jan. 17 – Gary Collins, Sue Underwood, Mark Lawton, Mike Moran and Karen Mayo
Jan. 18 – JoAnn Sedam, Michael Paquette and Elvis Cabral
Jan. 19 – Holly McAuliffe, Matthew Suprenant, Jessica Paige deBraga, Liz Patterson, MaryLou Kent and Lyle Aladden
Jan. 20 – Tom Bowen, Bob Anders, Peter VanBuskirk and Dennis Sherman
Jan. 21 – Jared Jacobs, Susan Donovan, Connie Palatino, Sue Mungeam, Brian Smith, Marissa Miele, Gavin Stead and Paul Provencher
Jan. 22 – Amy Coletti, Jimmy Hickey, Steve Geldart, Fran Wixon and Erin Jameson
Jan. 23 – Kerri Snow, Stan Weinberg, Elizabeth Sousa, Jordyn Yates, Adelaide Wintringham and Pauline Leveille
Jan. 24 – Brad Connor, Chris Sabourin, Mark Greeno, Bob Case and Kathleen Laplante
Jan. 25 – George Austin, Lynn Doucette, Nicholas Allen, Jackie Feltus, Doug Wolfe, Stacey Davis and Nicole Somes
Jan. 26 – Amanda Lynn Doucette, Kelly Coelho and Christine Clark
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Jan. 12 – Brian and Karen Longtine
Jan. 17 – Jim and Kathy Klotz
Jan. 23 – Mark and Jodi Hollick
LOOKING BACK TO 1973
James Quinn was named to the North Adams State College hockey team. James H. Hickey was named assistant auditor of First National Bank of Marlborough, youngest officer in the bank’s history. The “Harmonica Hoboes,” directed by Cosmo Percuoco, entertained at the Hudson Boys Club Christmas party.
A Christmas skit was presented at the Emblem Club Christmas party by Joan Alves,
Anastasia Alera, Grace Anastas, Clara Crouse, Pat McCarthy, Helen Barry and Janice McNally. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Vachowski and family moved to their newly purchased home on Wood Street. Planting tulip bulbs at Wood Park/Apsley Park were Hudson Garden Club members Diane Bullock, Carol Harper and Honey Cronin.
Send entries for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson MA 01749 or email [email protected].
