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Northborough - When the Boston Marathon bombing struck terror in our backyard on April 15, one Northborough woman knew that she had to "do something good in response to the evil" which had taken place on American soil.

Northborough ??"Northborough Helping Hands Association, Inc. organized over a hundred Thanksgiving gift baskets at St. Bernadette's Parish Nov. 22 for families and seniors in need. Helping Hands volunteer Heather Capes said the organization has been holding Thanksgiving drives since its founding in 1920. Donations came from residents, schools, churches, Rotarians, and other organizations throughout Northborough. About 100 families will benefit from the donations. In addition, more than 60 senior citizens will receive Thanksgiving baskets this year.

Northborough – Like so many young men in the late 1970s, a group of Algonquin Regional High School teens formed a rock band, Nibot-Noslen. After a 10-year run, life, with all its various commitments came into play and the band broke up. But six years ago, after a 22-year hiatus, the members decided their days of playing music were not quite over. And so for the past six years Nibot-Noslen has come together for a special concert on the Friday after Thanksgiving for a reunion gig. But it's not just a show for their loyal fans – it's also a fundraiser for an important local organization, the Northborough Food Pantry.

Region ?- The Avidia Charitable Foundation recently donated $9,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. "The Avidia Charitable Foundation is one of our...

Westborough ??" About 50 volunteer employees from Boston Scientific of Marlborough descended upon the Bowman Conservation Area Nov. 18 armed with rakes, hatchets, and buckets, with the intent on cleaning up two acres around the parking lot. Not long ago, the plot was overrun with honeysuckle and bittersweet, according to Derek Saari, Westborough's assistant town planner/conservation officer. While a contractor had cleared the area two years ago, the invasive species have encroached again. The volunteers were needed to help maintain the area, according to Saari.

Shrewsbury – While many adults bemoan leaf-raking season, Landon McKeon, 7, delights in it. Photos/Jerry Callaghan

Southborough - For Stephen Coldwell, 74, receiving a brain tumor diagnosis in July has done little to slow him down. Recently, the Pilgrim Church bell ringer, avid (vegetable) gardener and Southborough Food Pantry volunteer has been spotted moving split logs in his yard (to fuel his wood stove) and helping at the pantry's "Scouting for Food" event Nov. 2. Coldwell grew up in Framingham. In 1964, while he was attending the University of Rhode Island, his father purchased 35 acres of land adjacent to the Sudbury Reservoir between Middle Road and Parkerville Road in Southborough. Six family homes have since been built on the land, sharing a mailbox and a common drive.

Shrewsbury/Grafton - For Octavio and Jessica Melo of Grafton, a family trip to the New England Aquarium March 1, 2008, began what would become a long medical journey. It was here that their then 2-year-old son, Jameson, took an awful spill, landing him in the UMass Memorial Medical Center emergency room.

Westborough ??" On Nov. 16, a Saturday morning which was perfect for sleeping in, many Westborough High School (WHS) students instead headed out into town determined to spend the day making a difference. Clad in matching blue T-shirts, school volunteers headed out to various sites throughout Westborough as part of the National Honor Society's Day of Thanksgiving. "We wanted our mission this year to have a big focus on community service," said Addie Egan, 17, senior, president of the National Honor Society.

Northborough - The girls' volleyball Division 2 State final was held Nov. 17 at Algonquin Regional High School featuring the Westborough High School Rangers against the Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) Cougars.

St. John's High School quarterback Drew Smiley (#12) breaks for a long run as Leominster High School's Jarell Addo (#5) scrambles in hot pursuit. Leominster - The St. John's High School Pioneers traveled to Leominster's Doyle Field to face the Leominster High School Blue Devils Nov. 15 for the Central Mass. Division 2 football title game. In their most recent meeting in September Leominster prevailed 33-12, which continued a Leominster winning streak stretching back four prior games, including two Super Bowls.

Shrewsbury -? Ski Ward's snow-making machines were in operation earlier this week as the facility gets ready to welcome local skiers. Photo/Jerry Callaghan

Westborough – Local officials, as well as many residents, gathered to pay respect to the town's veterans on Nov. 11. Ceremonies were held at the Pine Grove Cemetery, Vietnam Memorial on Ruggles Street, in front of the war memorials in front of the Forbes Memorial Building (FMB) and in front of the World War 1 Memorial located at the rotary.

Shrewsbury – Liam Davidson has had a busy fall, handling a demanding workload as a sophomore at St. John's High School as well as participating in crew. But there was also one other major project that the 16-year-old had on his agenda over the past few months - taking a leadership role in helping to organize a major community event – the third annual Turkey Trot. Liam's reason for helping with the event, which is a two- or five-mile walk, is a very personal one. The trot, to be held in Shrewsbury on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, is in honor of his late grandfather, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis P. O"Connor, who died in 2007 of Alzheimer's disease.

Marlborough- Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School concluded its Military Awareness Week Nov. 8 by honoring veterans with a fully attended assembly in the gym.

Marlborough - A beautiful sunny and crisp day set the scene for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Marlborough. Main Street was filled with eager attendees. Participating in the parade were members of the Marlborough High School and Middle School Marching Band, Bob Page, parade coordinator for the Marlborough Veterans Council, city officials including Mayor Arthur Vigeant, guest speaker Brigadier General Paul G. Smith, School Committee members, veterans, Scout troops, and the Honor Guard.

Shrewsbury – Veterans Day is commemorated annually at Southgate at Shrewsbury. And around the same time for the past several years, the anniversary of that retirement community has been celebrated with a musical-comedy revue performed by residents, and written and directed by Program Director Deanna Swan. This year, Swan integrated the two activities. "It's about time that we combined them together," she said. "It makes perfect sense."

By Chris Wraight, Contributing Writer Holden - The top-seeded Westborough High School Rangers girls" soccer team faced off against the third-seeded Algonquin Regional High School...

Grafton - The Central Massachusetts Division 1 defending champion Shrewsbury High School Colonials met the Algonquin Regional High School Tomahawks for the Central Mass. field hockey title on Nov. 9 at Grafton High School. The Colonials were the number three seed while the Tomahawks were the eighth seed.

Northborough - Nick Cappello will never forget the early morning phone he received in his hotel room in 2005, telling him that his son was killed. Cappello won's forget what he described as the "constant stream of tears" he shared with his wife, Jan. His son, Paul, was 21 when his SUV reportedly struck a boulder, ending his life. Cappello said the accident left him with questions that will forever be unanswered: Did Paul suffer? What were his last thoughts? Why did his friends let him drive, even though Paul was inebriated?