HUDSON – Back, after a 12-day visit in Tucson, Arizona, with our daughter, Julie and her spouse, Camille, enjoying their hospitality and local tours.
This year we toured closer to the city, enjoying many nearby sights and sites. In downtown Tucson we looked for, and found, the huge mural “The Three Sisters,” a 50-foot by 50-foot painting on the side of a three-story building, painted by two Tucson and two Nogales artists. The spectacular sight is one of the many murals painted downtown by local artists to mark a city revival. Nearby are the revived, renovated and repainted “Barrio Viejo” (circa northern Mexico 1870) homes, each one a different desert color with unique wooden doors.
The 42nd annual Mariachi Band Festival in downtown Tucson was a highlight. It featured competing bands from area high schools, each one better than the last. The teenagers wore typical, colorful Mariachi uniforms, and joyously played violin, guitar, trumpet and harp. Highlights included the selection of Miss Uma, $1,000 first prize vocal soloist, and the appearance of an accomplished adult, all men, Mariachi Band, in stunning blue, silver and white garb. In one moving segment, audience members swayed with their lighted phones to the mood of the music. It was magical!
Saturday Mass at nearby St. Cyril of Alexandria Church was said by a Mexican-born priest and familiar hymns were rendered by a woman’s lovely voice. Outside, we met “Pat,” a 41-year old young man confined to a recumbent, electric wheelchair. He spoke openly of suffering brain damage in an accident 10 years ago, and, with the help of modern conveniences, is living in his own home. He said Mass gives him solace.
We also in downtown Tucson, toured Fort Lowell, U.S. Army supply base in war with Indians (circa 1875); on TV watched some phenomenal tennis from Lisbon, and post-season basketball losses by my hostesses’ favorites, Phoenix Suns and my hometown Celtics; made friends with the in-house Black Lab, “Mia”; enjoyed my first “In N Out” burger; watched and listened while a few of the hundred freight trains rumbled and whistled through downtown Tucson; did a little water-walking in the Tucson Tennis Club 82-degree pool; at the Pool Barbecue Night opening, heard “Tomcat and the Prowlers” growl through some old-time favorites, like “Takin’ Care of Business” and “Don’t Step On My Blue Suede Shoes”; watched “We Were the Lucky Ones,” timely series on Hulu; finished one New York Times puzzle and abandoned another; enjoyed home-cooked meals and the warmth of my hostesses. Not to mention the phenomenal wheel-chair service between planes. It was a great vacation!
Esther Folkes celebrates 105th
Mrs. Esther Folkes, notably the oldest Hudson resident, marked her 105th birthday on Friday, May 10 with a party at Peter’s Grove, Lake Street. A native of Brooklyn, Esther has resided here since 1989 since the death of her husband, Warren Folkes. She remains very active at Peter’s Grove, and has two surviving sons, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and notably, three great-great grandchildren. Happy birthday Esther!
Veggies anybody?
Master gardener Susan Hammond will speak on “Vegetable Gardening for Everyone” at the Hudson Garden Club presentation Monday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at Hudson Senior Center, Church St. She will stress that vegetable gardening is “something everyone can enjoy, from the novice to the experienced gardener.” This will be the club’s last presentation for the season.
SPM final concert of season
In its final concert of the season, Symphony Pro Musica program will include mezzo soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano in Berg’s “Seven Early Songs,” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Hudson High School and Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. at Putnam Arts Center, St. Mark’s School, Southborough.
Spring Market
Outdoor Spring Market at Hudson Town Hall Saturday, May 18, from 11-2, rain or shine, will offer local specialties: eggs, maple, candles, pies, jewelry, greeting cards, textile crafts etc.
Invasive plants
Hudson Land Trust will offer Invasive Plant Management Training Sunday, May 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Assabet River Trail off Chapin Road.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
May 18 – Melissa Rock, John Sanford and Nancy McAuliffe
May 19 – Linda Boudreau
May 20 – Joey Talbot, Heleena DiMare, Doug McGuiness and Don Cox
May 21 – Pat Daley, Gayson Veo, Brenda Sacco, Chelsea Chaves and Laura Olivio
May 22 – my brother Joe MacPherson, Lee Murphy, Sue O’Keefe and Ron Chaisson
May 23 – Sarah Worrest, Amy Landry and Emma Wood
May 24 – Susan Niro, Jane Veo, Natalie Schiavone and Arlene Cabral
May 25 – Carol Gault, Kathy Lepire and Glenn Davis
May 26 – Dale Nadeau, Trevor Moore and Cindy DeArcangelis
May 27 – Colin Veo, Craig Chaisson, Steve Powell, Ann Kristine Spilios and Hank Henderson
May 28 – Kelly Bushey, Ben Gird, Cheryl Murphy, Janice Perillo, M.J. Ebens and Tom Wiczniewski
May 29 – Corey Jacobs, Henry Cabral, Shalyn Bowen, Linda Bowen and Stella Daigneault
May 30 – Tom McAuliffe, Barbara Masciarelli, Jeff Rodrigues, Jim Shea, Haleigh Bigeau, Kevin McClellan, Nancy Znamerowski and Sue Ricciuti
May 31 – Margaret Murphy, John Loureiro, Janet Yesue, Owen Nanartowich, Joe Durant, Mikala Ferris and T.J. Coolidge
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
May 19 – Mike and Kathy Megna
May 22 – Paul and Abbie Blazar
May 25 – Bob and Diane Anders
May 26 – Steve and Sandy Borella
May 27 – John and Donna Dupree
May 28 – Mike and Patty Gigliotti, Bob and Judy Mitchell, Brian and Carol Parker
May 29 – Ed and Mary Bruso
May 30 – Jimmy and Jodi Pirelli
May 31 – Rick and Theresa Rogers
LOOKING BACK TO 1973
Hudson High School seniors who were high scorers in the National Mathematics Association contest were: Arthur Franke, Noel Caragian and Charles Precourt. Howard Freedman and Alan LaPierre were selected to attend Conservation Camp in Spencer. Joe Stone was ticket chairman for the new car raffle at St. Michael Parish Bazaar. Adeline Perry was installed president of Hudson Senior Citizens.
Robert Fitzpatrick graduated from the University of Connecticut. Harmonica Hoboes of the Hudson Boys Club appeared on the Community Auditions TV show. Arrow Automotive, 555 Main St. advertised for assemblers and machine operators. Stella Marvell was president of the Ladies’ Amvets Auxiliary.
Send items for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson, MA 01749 or email [email protected].
