Byline Stories - News

Westborough – ?George Popovici will be signing copies of his new book "Angels Walking with Us" at Tatnuck Bookseller Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1-3...

Marlborough – When Marlborough resident Joy Wilson was born blind, her parents filled her toy box with every kind of plaything that made sound. She had a toy xylophone, a bunch of toy music boxes, and toy noisemakers galore. But her grandmother had a real piano, and her aunt and uncle (who lived in the apartment below them) had a real organ.

Westborough - When Town Meeting convenes in March, it will be missing the mainstay that has gripped the gavel for more than two decades. Longtime Town Meeting Moderator Joseph Harrington has said he is not running for another term.

Shrewsbury – Michael Gondek of Shrewsbury has added 20 years of credits to his resume as an actor and vocalist by travelling throughout central Massachusetts and beyond in musicals, operas and concerts. Now, for the first time, he's portraying the male lead role in a play without music. Gondek is performing in the Worcester County Light Opera Company (WCLOC) production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Eric Butler. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., from Jan. 31 through Feb. 16 at the Grandview Playhouse in Worcester.

Shrewsbury - Ski Ward Ski Area has been operating since 1939 making it one of the oldest ski areas in Massachusetts. On Saturday, Feb....

Marlborough - If you are looking for a fun night out and want to relive some of those special times from the "80s, then you should consider attending the "The Best Prom You Never Had." The event, sponsored by the Marlborough Junior Woman's Club (MJWC), will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at Speakers Night Club, 19 Weed St. (behind City Hall).

By Chris Wraight, Contributing Writer Hudson - The Hudson High School Hawks hosted the Westborough High School Rangers for a girls' basketball Midland League B...

Shrewsbury – Kristen Ward was happy to begin working as a secretary at Sherwood Middle School (SMS) in September 2011 because the hours fit perfectly around her sons" sports schedules. Two weeks later, her husband, Art, suffered a stroke. Now, Kristen is grateful for her co-workers as an important part of her family's support system. On Friday, February 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., SMS will host "A Heart for Art" to raise funds for a hydrotherapy pool for Art. Several months of aquatic therapy showed hopeful progress toward his goal of walking again. However, the facility with the pool has closed and their insurance no longer covers aquatic therapy.

Westborough - The students at the Armstrong Elementary School were treated to the Diversity Council's Chinese New Year Celebration during their school meeting Jan. 17. The morning began with the entire school assembled in the cafeteria for this educational program. Third grade teacher Janet Hart is the chair of the Armstrong Diversity Council, which began in the spring of 2011. Assisted by John Mendes, the school's principal, she helped to facilitate this cultural program, which is a way, she said, to help the children learn about and celebrate other cultures.

Marlborough - Marlborough High School (MHS) senior John Rumney has been named as the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Student-Athlete of the Month for December 2013. In his four years in the MHS Panther football program, Rumney, 17, played three different defensive positions as well as quarterback, this year throwing for 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns and leading the team to the MIAA Division 2 Semi-Finals and an 8-3 overall record. He also served as a team captain for the season.

Marlborough - The Marlborough High School Panthers hosted the Algonquin Regional High School Tomahawks for a non-league boys' hockey game at the Navin Arena Jan. 22. The first period was a draw, ending at 0-0 as both teams battled evenly. In the opening minutes of the second period however, the Tomahawks' Ian Kosovsky scored (assist by Dylan Connelly). A few minutes later teammate Alex DiPadua made it 2-0 (assist by Matt Tozeski).

Marlborough - Since she was in the seventh grade, Adriana Giordano has been singing in a school chorus and enjoying it.

What are your earliest field hockey memories? "My first field hockey memory wasn't something I experienced. It was more something I heard about from my family. My grandmother, whom I only knew when I was very young, played field hockey when she was my age. I wanted to have that lasting connection with her, so I decided to sign up when I was in middle school. Immediately, I felt her with me on the field as I played. I knew I was meant to be on the field. It was in my blood."

What are your earliest soccer memories? "I started playing soccer when I was 4 years old, and during my first practice, I kicked the ball in between the coach's legs for a goal. He was completely shocked."

Region – For those in search of a unique way to express their feelings to someone special, a quartet from Women of Note (WON) can deliver a singing valentine Friday, Feb. 14, or Saturday, Feb. 15, throughout central or eastern Massachusetts. The annual fundraiser benefits the nonprofit a cappella chorus, which is based in Hudson with 26 active members from 22 communities including Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury and Westborough.

Shrewsbury – James Arnold has been a self-avowed weather geek for most of his life. "It first started in 1944 when I was a little boy in Worcester. The Great Atlantic Hurricane came through – I was just fascinated by what was happening outside my home," he recalled of that storm that killed 390 people. That interest eventually turned into a vocation that continued, first in college and then throughout his career. Arnold officially retired in 2001 but he still forecasts weather as a way to help local municipalities know what they are going to be up against. In a region that has been hit with all sorts of weather events in the last few years, including blizzards, ice storms, heat waves, and even a close call with tornadoes, that has kept him very busy.

Shrewsbury - As senior custodian at the Floral Street School community, David Poe is an integral part of keeping the school running smoothly. Not only does he daily complete a full slate of duties, he also serves as an unofficial "go-to person" for each staff member and student in the 800-student school. That dedication and loyalty has earned him a nomination for the John P. Collins Award for Excellence.

Marlborough – A potentially stressful time for some women became more comfortable when Look Good? Feel Better was offered Jan. 20 at the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC). Facilitating the free workshop was Michele Dilley of Marlborough, who works out of the Northborough office of the American Cancer Society (ACS). This is one of several ACS programs she oversees statewide.

Hudson ??" The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout tradition that dates back more than 60 years, but Hudson's Pack 4 is doing something to make it extra special. The Second Annual Unified Pinewood Derby, which welcomes children with special needs, will be held Feb. 1 at Joseph L Mulready School. The Unified Pinewood Derby seeks to provide a fun, free activity for children who may have special educational, physical, or development needs, according to Steve Walsh, cubmaster of Pack 4, which is organizing the event. Both boys and girls in kindergarten through high school school are welcome.

Westborough – Author Peg Jones will be signing copies of her new book, "Living in the Heart Place with Your Angels," at Tatnuck Bookseller,...