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Hudson – Marlborough Savings Bank (MSB) began the year with a ceremonial groundbreaking in January for its new branch to be located at 186 Main St. in Hudson. Soon afterward, MSB launched its “We Love Hudson” campaign to meet residents and future businesses neighbors. Among staff members participating in the campaign is Ellen Dorian, executive vice president of retail banking.

Northborough - Those devotees of the football gridiron that are of the opinion that “Xs” and “Os” are what the game is all about likely have never met Justin McKay. The fourth-year Algonquin Regional High School varsity football head coach is as well-versed as they come in the intricacies and strategies of the game, but there is another aspect of the much-loved fall sport that sets him aside from a number of his peers; the human side.

Hudson – Family, friends, colleagues and townspeople gathered March 22 at St. Michael’s Church for the funeral service of State Trooper Thomas L. Clardy, 44, who lived in Hudson with his wife Reisa, and their six children, ages 4 to 17. Pallbearers were his colleagues from the Charlton barracks, where he was most recently stationed. Thousands of law enforcement officers from throughout the country attended to give him a final salute.

Westborough - Harry’s Restaurant is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary, including 47 years in Westborough. Not too many family-run businesses can make that clam – whoops! - that “claim.” This one is well-known for its fried clams, onion rings, crab and lobster bisques, pastrami sandwiches and a slew of healthy new entrees.

Northborough – As his family and friends looked on, Warren E. DeVault was honored March 19 for his 70 years of membership in the American Legion. DeVault was presented certificates from the Vincent F. Picard Post 234 of the American Legion in Northborough as well as the national office in a ceremony held at the Coleman House, where he now resides.

Boston – There were telltale signs along the way that pointed to this season being memorable, more so than all heretofore, for the Algonquin Regional High boys varsity ice hockey team. The first glimpse as to what was to come has been seen by many as coming at the 9:47 mark of a scoreless double-overtime back on Dec. 19 in the finals of the annual Borough’s Cup tournament. That’s when senior co-captain forward Justin O’Connell ended it all in dramatic fashion scoring the only goal of the contest to seal the title, the team’s first crown since 1997, that jump started things for the Tomahawk skaters.

All over downtown Hudson, even on the train marking the Rail Trail, volunteers have placed blue ribbons and American flags in honor of fallen State Police Trooper Thomas Clardy.

Hudson – Recent unseasonably mild temperatures dipped March 19 when Hudson residents and guests celebrated the 150th anniversary of the town’s incorporation date outdoors at Morgan Bowl.

Springfield – When two teams collide with a combined record of 46-2 and there is a Division 1 state championship on the line, it’s safe to say that a lively evening of high school basketball is in store for an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at Springfield’s MassMutual Center. Neither team disappointed when the teams took to the floor on March 19, but it was Eastern Mass. champion Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School coming out on top over Central Mass. titleholder St. John’s High School, 66-51, before hundreds of loyal Pioneer fans that donned the school’s traditional red colors to exhort their team on in its quest for its first state championship since 2009.

Springfield --- There would be no seat-squirming, nail-biting, heart-wrenching overtime drama or white knuckles in this game for Algonquin Regional High ice hockey players, coaches and team supporters. If “mercy rule” existed in high school hockey, officials would have likely evoked it. The Tomahawks unleashed a thunderous third-period offensive attack delivering four unanswered goals to turn a 2-1 lead into a 6-2 thrashing of Western Mass. champion Westfield High (11-11-1) on what will be a long-remembered St. Patrick’s Day at Springfield’s MassMutual Center. The Division 3 semifinal win sends the seemingly unstoppable Algonquin skaters on to Boston’s TD Garden for a first-ever state championship matchup with Eastern Mass. champion Hanover High (21-3-1) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.

Westborough – The poet Mattie Stepanek once said “Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." Since 1991, such unity has achieved wonderful things for Westborough families. It has kept their teens safe on graduation night, and it has given them peace of mind. For the 26th year, Project Graduation Westborough, a nonprofit organization, is bringing together the Westborough High School community, residents and local businesses to create a fun, memorable substance- and alcohol-free graduation night celebration.

Marlborough – Sixteen contestants representing classes, clubs and sports teams good-naturedly competed in categories including legs, talent, formalwear and interview at the 27th annual Mr. Marlborough High School (MHS) Pageant, presented March 11 at the 1LT. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School Auditorium. This year’s pageant theme was “wedding,” featuring a song-and-dance number of “Marry You!”

Shrewsbury - Taking advantage of the recent warm weather, five chickens were pecking the grass in a front yard right off Main Street. Photo/Joyce DeWallace

Fitchburg --- With its rich history of sports tradition, it had heretofore seemed incredulous that no ice hockey championship banner has ever hung from the rafters inside Algonquin Regional High. But now it’s time to make way for that symbol of excellence to unfurl in the near future as the Tomahawk skaters have captured their first-ever title as Division 3 CMass champions with a grueling 2-1 overtime shootout-victory over second-seed Groton-Dunstable on March 14 at the Wallace Civic Center. The win sends the team on to a state semifinal matchup with Western Mass. champion Westfield High (11-10-1) on Thursday, March 17, at Springfield’s MassMutual Center. Puck drops at 5:30 p.m.

Fitchburg --- After competing on some of the area’s biggest stages - Springfield’s MassMutual Center and Worcester’s DCU Center – one year ago in state competition, any venue less prestigious would be considered a disappointment, Marlborough High boys varsity basketball team players admitted earlier in the season. The 2015-2016 squad will not go that far this year as the number three-seed Panthers came out on the short end of a 41-38 decision falling to top-seed Concord-Carlisle in the Central Mass. Division 2 championship round played at Fitchburg State University on March 12. The loss ends the team’s hopes for further advancement and concludes their season with a record of 18-5.

Shrewsbury - While Jane Scheffel of Shrewsbury was out for her daily walk, she was surprised to discover two pails overflowing with maple syrup...

Westborough – Female business leaders from the region gathered at PENTA Communications, Inc. March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day. The morning’s keynote speaker was Bonnie Biocchi, director of development of the Habitat for Humanity – Metrowest Greater Worcester. Inc. (HFH MWGW) who spoke on the initiative, Women Build 2016.

Shrewsbury - The Saint John’s High School basketball squad met with Franklin High School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute March 9 with the Central Massachusetts Division 1 championship on the line. For the Pioneers, the result was similar to nearly every other game this season; a convincing “W.” However, it was not looking that way during the first half.

Shrewsbury - The demolition continues at the former Spag’s property. This view is looking towards Route 9. The location is slated to be the site...

Marlborough – Once again, Polar Plunges to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) were held statewide at lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. New this year, a Polar Plunge was introduced March 6 at the Yawkey Sports Training Center in Marlborough, the SOMA headquarters. It was organized by Officer Andy LaRose of the Marlborough Police Department (MPD) after he attended the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference last fall in the Bahamas.