(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com Newsstand: 75 cents 6 56525 10431 2 Wednesday, January 7, 2009 LOCAL Table Settings PAGE 5 SPORTS Hockey Action PAGE 9 What to expect in 2009 BY DONEEN DURLING COURIER STAFF WRITER Irish toast: In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want. WINCHENDON — For many, watching the year 2008 pass on Dec. 31 was not a bad thing. Revelers at the local American Legion said they look forward to 2009. Many said they hoped to simply maintain their health while others hoped the New Year would bring a new president, a strengthening economy, and love. Poetess Edith Lovejoy Pierce said, “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” Courier Editor Ruth DeAmicis said her hope for the New Year is, “To increase the circulation and the pages for the Winchendon Courier.” Templeton Police Officer Dan Wolski said he just hopes for a bet- ter year than last year. Business owner Bud Fletcher echoed Wolski’s sentiment, saying, “It has to get better. I hope the mar- ket gets better, the economy gets bet- ter….” Scott Murphy from the Clark memorial YMCA said he hopes for hundreds in cash. Town Manager James Kreidler was a conservative realist. He said, “My gut response to 2009 is batten down the hatches, we’re in for a rough ride.” Kreidler pointed to Section 9C of Chapter 29 of the Massachusetts General Laws. 9C requires that when projected revenue is less than Assault at shelter reported BY DONEEN DURLING COURIER STAFF WRITER WINCHENDON — According to court reports, a five-year-old child was allegedly assaulted at the emer- gency shelter held at Murdock Middle High School on Dec. 13 dur- ing the recent ice storm, but she remains physically uninjured. Winchendon Police Officer Martin Rose arrested Luke A. Grovo, age 23, of 14 Ready Drive. The suspect has been charged with assault with intent to commit rape of a child under age 16 and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and is being held on $25,000 cash bail. Reports indicate Rose attended a SAIN (sexual abuse intervention network) interview held at the Worcester County Attorney General’s office. The young victim was interviewed to find the facts of the alleged assault. Tracy Defusco, a forensic interview specialist, and part of the Worcester County DA’s SAIN team, conducted the inter- view. The alleged assault took place in the hallway outside of the gym where cots were set up to house those in need of shelter. It was recorded that the young vic- tim revealed the suspect threw her Last minute licenses require meeting BY DONEEN DURLING COURIER STAFF WRITER WINCHENDON — The selectmen met Dec. 31 in the afternoon to grant business licenses before 2009 begins. Up for renewal was Ramsey’s Auto, Village Square Restaurant, Erica’s Rooming House, and The Knarley Dog. Selectman Burton Gould chaired the meeting as the senior member present. Corey Bohan and Elizabeth Hunt rounded out the quorum. Town Manager James Kreidler asked that the license for Ramsey’s Auto be granted with the caveat that if the owner misses one pre- arranged payment for taxes in arrears, his license would be revoked. Gould did not agree and said the law provides that the agreement for Doneen Durling photo A woman from New Hampshire recently backed into the gas pump at Cumberland Farms during the storm that came after the ice storm of 2008. Cumberland Farms is currently having trouble finding a replacement. Winchendon Celebrates 2009 Doneen Durling photos Mary Martorella and Barbara Beaver are color coordinated celebrants at the annual American Legion New Year’s Eve party. Germaine Brooks celebrated two events at the American Legion, New Year’s Eve AND her upcoming 75th birthday, which was Jan. 3. Wish her well when you see her. The band VELOCITY entertained the crowd at the American Legion. The next morning, it was a frosty reminder of the year ahead, with dents to commemorate 2008’s rocky year. Though unidentified, this fellow was real- ly into the reason for the revelry. Turn To LICENSES page 10 Turn To ASSAULT, page 10 Turn To 2009, page 10 AS IF THE WHOLE GAS THING WEREN’T BAD ENOUGH
hand always be stretched out infriendship, never in want.
WINCHENDON — For many,watching the year 2008 pass on Dec.31 was not a bad thing. Revelers atthe local American Legion said theylook forward to 2009. Many said theyhoped to simply maintain theirhealth while others hoped the NewYear would bring a new president, astrengthening economy, and love.
Poetess Edith Lovejoy Pierce said,“We will open the book. Its pages areblank. We are going to put words onthem ourselves. The book is called"Opportunity" and its first chapteris New Year's Day.”
Courier Editor Ruth DeAmicissaid her hope for the New Year is,
“To increase the circulation and thepages for the Winchendon Courier.”
Templeton Police Officer DanWolski said he just hopes for a bet-ter year than last year.
Business owner Bud Fletcherechoed Wolski’s sentiment, saying,“It has to get better. I hope the mar-ket gets better, the economy gets bet-ter….”
Scott Murphy from the Clarkmemorial YMCA said he hopes forhundreds in cash.
Town Manager James Kreidlerwas a conservative realist. He said,“My gut response to 2009 is battendown the hatches, we’re in for arough ride.”
Kreidler pointed to Section 9C ofChapter 29 of the MassachusettsGeneral Laws. 9C requires thatwhen projected revenue is less than
Assault at shelter reportedBY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER
WINCHENDON — According tocourt reports, a five-year-old childwas allegedly assaulted at the emer-gency shelter held at MurdockMiddle High School on Dec. 13 dur-ing the recent ice storm, but sheremains physically uninjured.Winchendon Police Officer MartinRose arrested Luke A. Grovo, age 23,of 14 Ready Drive. The suspect hasbeen charged with assault withintent to commit rape of a childunder age 16 and indecent assaultand battery on a child under 14, andis being held on $25,000 cash bail.
Reports indicate Rose attended a
SAIN (sexual abuse interventionnetwork) interview held at theWorcester County AttorneyGeneral’s office. The young victimwas interviewed to find the facts ofthe alleged assault. Tracy Defusco, aforensic interview specialist, andpart of the Worcester County DA’sSAIN team, conducted the inter-view.
The alleged assault took place inthe hallway outside of the gymwhere cots were set up to housethose in need of shelter.
It was recorded that the young vic-tim revealed the suspect threw her
Last minute licensesrequire meetingBY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER
WINCHENDON — The selectmenmet Dec. 31 in the afternoon to grantbusiness licenses before 2009 begins.Up for renewal was Ramsey’s Auto,Village Square Restaurant, Erica’sRooming House, and The KnarleyDog.
Selectman Burton Gould chairedthe meeting as the senior memberpresent. Corey Bohan and Elizabeth
Hunt rounded out the quorum.Town Manager James Kreidlerasked that the license for Ramsey’sAuto be granted with the caveat thatif the owner misses one pre-arranged payment for taxes inarrears, his license would berevoked.
Gould did not agree and said thelaw provides that the agreement for
Doneen Durling photo
A woman from New Hampshire recently backed into the gas pump at CumberlandFarms during the storm that came after the ice storm of 2008. CumberlandFarms is currently having trouble finding a replacement.
Winchendon Celebrates 2009
Doneen Durling photos
Mary Martorella and Barbara Beaver are color coordinated celebrants at the annual American Legion New Year’s Eve party.
Germaine Brooks celebrated two events at the American Legion, New Year’s Eve ANDher upcoming 75th birthday, which was Jan. 3. Wish her well when you see her.
The band VELOCITY entertained the crowd at the American Legion.
The next morning, it was a frostyreminder of the year ahead, with dentsto commemorate 2008’s rocky year.
Though unidentified, this fellow was real-ly into the reason for the revelry.
Turn To LICENSES page 10
Turn To ASSAULT, page 10
Turn To 2009, page 10
AS IF THE WHOLE GAS THINGWEREN’T BAD ENOUGH
AD arrestedWINCHENDON — At 12:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, Winchendon
Police were called to the home of Antonio Dellasanta, age 34 for adomestic violence call.
Dellasanta, who serves as athletic director of Murdock Middle HighSchool, was arrested for domestic assault and battery, but released onhis own recognizance.
He was scheduled to appear at Winchendon District Court Tuesday,Jan. 6.
Dellasanta was in the classroom on Monday, and school officials,including fellow coaches, refused to comment on the issue.
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Does anyone remember Eva?BY JOE MANNING
Lewis Hine took at least 40 childlabor photographs in Winchendonon the first few days of September1911. Two are dated Sept 3, whichwas a Sunday. That explains why thechildren are “dressed up” in some ofthe pictures. All of the other pic-tures don’t specify the actual date,but it’s safe to guess that he tookthem sometime between Friday, the1st, and Tuesday, the 5th. The cap-tion for this photo is (with all foursurnames misspelled):
Comparison of ages: On right endis Mary Deschene, admitted 11years, helped sister spool all sum-mer in Glenallen Mill. Next her isLumina Demarais, admitted 12years, and doffing all summer inSpring Village Mill. Next is RosinaCoyette, said she was 14 but Mr. Hinedoubted it; has steady job doffingand spinning in Spring Village Mill.Left end is Eva Caonette, spinner inSpring Village Mill, said she was 14but may not be. Location:Winchendon, Massachusetts.
These four girls of French-Canadian ancestry might have beenon their way to church, probably atwhat is now called ImmaculateHeart of Mary, which opened in1909. It is strange to think that thiswas more than 97 years ago, and thatall of them are now deceased. Threeof them lived a long time, RosinaGoyette the longest at 98.
Eva Caouette, the beautiful younglady on the left, was not so fortunate,as I would quickly learn on a visit tothe town clerk’s office. In a matter ofminutes, I knew that she was bornin Winchendon on June 2, 1897, thedaughter of Alphonse and MelinaBranconnier, who married inWinchendon in 1892. Eva marriedEdward Morin in 1924; and then,childless, died of leukemia onFebruary 25, 1926. Mr. Morin died inWinchendon in 1971. When I left
Town Hall, her early death hauntedme.
In the 1910 census, Eva lived withher parents and nine siblings. Herfather was a storekeeper. In 1920, shewas still living with her parents, in ahouse at 385 Maple Street. Both par-ents and all but the two youngestchildren worked at the mill. Whenshe died six years later, she and hus-band Edward were living at 371Maple St.
I wondered if any of her siblingsmight still be alive, but soon discov-ered that among those I could trace,sister Dorilla was the last one to die,in West Springfield in 1993. So Ibegan looking for survivors of thesiblings by obtaining obituariesfrom various libraries. Eventually Itracked down three persons, all ofwhom were daughters of Eva’sbrothers.
None had ever heard of her.Either their fathers never men-tioned her, or the daughters justdon’t recall it. After all, it’s beenalmost 83 years since Eva passedaway. When Hine captured her onfilm on that late summer day inWinchendon Springs, he may havecreated the only record of what shelooked like.
I walked through CalvaryCemetery in November and foundEva’s headstone. All it said was: EvaCaouette, wife of Edward Morin,1898-1926. Whoever provided theinformation appeared to get theyear of birth wrong. Sadly, it maynot matter now, since no one seemsto remember her anyway. Perhapsthe last person to visit her grave washer widowed husband. He nevermarried again.
More information and photos canbe seen at www.morningson-maplestreet.com/winchendon.html.Email me at [email protected] call me at (413) 584-0679. Watch foranother article in about two weeks.
Lewis Hine photo
Comparison of ages: On right end is Mary Deschene, admitted 11 years, helped sister spool all summer in Glenallen Mill. Nexther is Lumina Demarais, admitted 12 years, and doffing all summer in Spring Village Mill. Next is Rosina Coyette, said she was14 but Mr. Hine doubted it; has steady job doffing and spinning in Spring Village Mill. Left end is Eva Caonette, spinner in SpringVillage Mill, said she was 14 but may not be. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts.
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WINCHENDON COURIER 3Wednesday, January 7, 2009
COURIER CAPSULES
The Winchendon Courier is committedto accuracy in all its news reports.Although numerous safeguards are inplace to ensure accurate reporting,mistakes can occur. Confirmed facterrors will be corrected at the top righthand corner of page three in a timelymanner. If you find a mistake, call(978) 297-0050 during normal businesshours. During non-business hours,leave a message in the editor’s voicemailbox. The editor will return yourphone call. Or contact the editor at thefollowing email: [email protected].
AACCURACYCCURACY
WWAATCHTCHCHICKEN POT PIESUPPER
TEMPLETON — First Churchof Templeton, located onTempleton Common, will hold achicken pot pie supper onSaturday, Jan. 10 with open seat-ing from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The family-style supper includes a menu ofchicken pot pie, mashed potatoes,green beans, bread, pie and bever-age. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5per child, with children under 5free. For more information or tomake reservations, please [email protected] or call(978) 939-4021.
IN THE SERVICECOUMBUS — GA Army
Reserve Pvt. Matthew T. Sandshas graduated from basicinfantry training at FortBenning, Columbus.
During the nine weeks of train-ing, the soldier received trainingin drill and ceremonies, weapons,
map reading, tactics, militarycourtesy, military justice, physi-cal fitness, first aid, and Armyhistory, core values and tradi-tions. Additional training includ-ed development of basic combatskills and battlefield operationsand tactics, and experiencing useof various weapons and weaponsdefenses available to the infantrycrewman.
He is the son of Howard Sandsof East Templeton and is a 2008graduate of the high school pro-gram at Mount WachusettCommunity College.
AGRICULTURALOPEN HOUSE
WINCHENDON — TheWinchendon AgriculturalCommission invites you to cometo our Agricultural Open Houseon Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. Itwill be held in the 4th FloorConference Room of theWinchendon Town Hall. Talkwith Commission members aboutwhat is happening with agricul-
ture in Winchendon, get informa-tion on how to sell at the ToyTown Farmers' Market or askquestions about your specificinterest. Join us for an hour ofinformation, friendship and plan-ning for a better Winchendon.Refreshments will be served. Wehope to see you there!
A CANDIDATEWINCHENDON — Raymond
Rader has already pulled petitionpapers to run for the Board ofSelectmen this spring.
WATER BILLS DUEWINCHENDON — Water bills
for the town of Winchendon weremailed Dec. 23. If you do notreceive your water bill, pleasenotify the Public WorksDepartment at (978) 297-0170.
Water bills are due Jan. 22.
FISH FRYWINCHENDON — The
Winchendon Rod & Gun Club
holds Fish Fry Friday on Jan. 9 atthe club on River Street. Fish,clams, shrimp and more, 530-8p.m.
PARTY PLANNEDWINCHENDON —The Hawg
Haulers are holding a Crashin’Sucks Benefit Party for Kevin,Jeff, JC, and Dave Saturday Jan.10 at 7 p.m.– midnight at theWinchendon American Legion.
The benefit will feature thesoon-to-be world famous Phil-DBand. The evening will be filledwith raffles, prizes, auctions,games of chance and more.Tickets are $10 donation at thedoor.
Proceeds for the benefit will beused for costs incurred after anaccident last fall at the bottom ofTannery Hill Friday Oct. 10, afteran accident between a white Fordmini-van and five motorcyclesended in two critically injuredbeing flown by helicopter to U-Mass Memorial Hospital inWorcester.
FROM THELIBRARIAN’S BOOK
BY JULIA WHITE CARDINALBEALS MEMORIAL LIBRARY, WINCHENDON
The Winter Series of Preschoolers’ STORYHOURS will begin Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 3:30p.m. The Wednesday program is repeated onFriday mornings beginning at 10:30 a.m.These free programs are designed for chil-dren ages 3-5, accompanied by a responsibleadult. Each session includes 3-4 stories, and acraft project for child and adult to maketogether. Weekly Story Hour themes forJanuary include Winter Sports, Snowmen,Penguins & Polar Bears, and Ground Hogs.
The Winter Series of Toddler Times is set tocommence on Friday, Jan. 30 beginning at 10a.m. These free programs are designed forchildren ages 3 and younger, and feature nurs-ery rhymes, and short stories. We focus onnumbers, colors, and ABCs.
For more information, please call theLibrary at (978) 297-0300. Winter LibraryHours are Mondays through Thursdays, from1-8 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., andSaturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. TheLibrary will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, inobservance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth-day.
*****The Friends of the Library continue to
offer used books for sale in the basement ofthe library. Currently, we are in the WinterClearance phase, with Buck ‘a Bag pricing.Visitors are invited to fill a plastic grocerybag for $1. Children’s books and paperbacksare still available.
*****Now that winter is well and truly here, we
invite children ages 12 and under to sign upfor the Winter Reading Program. This year,boys and girls are invited to be LincolnReaders, taking note of the 200th anniversaryof Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. The programis free. Participants are invited to track theirreading on mini-log sheets featuring log cab-ins. Completed log sheets may be turned infor a small prize or a sticker. When a child hasbrought in three log cabins, he or she will beinvited to visit the prize box to select from anassortment of paperback books. Fortnightly,we will draw a prize winner from all the logcabins turned in during that time. At the endof the program, all entries will again beentered for several grand prize drawings.This year’s grand prize offerings feature a setof Lincoln Logs, a student globe, and moviegift certificates. We are grateful to theFriends of the Library for supporting thislibrary program.
Derek Ciulla is HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! He's in the mid-dle of boot camp at Fort Benning GA, which he'll be finishing upin January...from there it's off to Kansas.........then he'll be serv-ing his country and protecting us all overseas!
Pictured here with his father Mike Ciulla and friend JoshuaFrazer...the Army's made quite a man out of him!
We are all SO proud of you Derek and SO happy you have youwith us for the holidays!
LOVE FAWN FRAZER & FAMILY
Welcome home forthe Holidays Derek!!!!
Fawn Frazer photos
Above: Derek Ciulla is pictured with his friend Joshua Frazer
Left: Mike Ciulla with his son Derek.
The Department of Conservation andRecreation urges everyone to get outside thisseason to enjoy the beauty of nature, whilekeeping safety in mind.
DCR officials unveiled a list of tips for safesledding, skating, skiing, and winter hikingand walking. The tips include suggestions onhow to spot hazardous ice and what to do inemergency situations.
“This is a beautiful time of year to be out-doors,” said DCR Commissioner Richard K.Sullivan Jr. “Visitors who keep a few basicsafety tips in mind will enhance their sense ofwell-being and connection with nature.”
Recent storms caused trees and branches tobreak or fall along trails in some DCR parksand forests. Storms also have knocked downpower lines. Icy and snowy conditions alsocan be dangerous to winter park visitors.
Some DCR trails are closed where condi-tions have become particularly hazardous.For information on a particular park or forest,go to www.mass.gov/dcr and click on “Find apark.”
Keep these safety tips in mind when hiking,walking, or skiing in the woods:
1. Always let someone know when you aregoing into the woods. Tell them where you’regoing and when you expect to be back.
2. Under your coat or jacket, wear severallayers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing,rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.
3. Wear sturdy footwear, as well as a hat andgloves.
4. Carry drinking water, and a map, com-pass, and whistle.
5. Keep an eye out for fallen trees andbranches on the trail, and especially avoidtrees and branches that may be at risk offalling down.
6. Be particularly cautious around downed
or hanging electrical wires. Expect all wires tobe live wires. Never touch or move downedlines. Do not touch anything the power linesare touching, such as tree branches or fences.
7. Stay on the trails; do not take shortcuts.8. Pay attention to your surroundings, and
make sure you know where you are.While participating in recreational activi-
ties on the frozen lakes and ponds across theCommonwealth, use common sense and fol-low these recommended safety tips from theMassachusetts Emergency ManagementAgency:
1. Never go onto the ice alone. A friend maybe able to rescue you or go for help if you fallthrough the ice.
2. Always keep your pets on a leash. If a petfalls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue.Go for help.
3. Beware of ice covered with snow. Snowcan insulate ice and keep it strong, but it alsocan insulate the ice and keep it from freezing.Snow also can hide cracks as well as weak andopen ice
4. New ice is usually stronger than old ice.As ice ages, the bond between the crystalsdecays, making it weaker, even if melting hasnot occurred.
5. Ice formed over flowing water (includingsprings under the surface) is generally weak-er than ice over still water.
6. Slush is a danger sign, indicating that iceis no longer freezing from the bottom and canbe weak or deteriorating.
7. Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniformrate. It can be one foot thick in one spot, and beonly one inch thick 10 feet away.
8. If a companion falls through the ice andyou are unable to reach that person fromshore, throw something to them (a rope, treebranch, even jumper cables from the car, etc.).
If this doesn't work, go or phone for helpbefore you also become a victim. Get medicalassistance for the victim immediately.
9. If you fall in, try not to panic. Turntoward the direction you came from. Placeyour hands and arms on the unbroken sur-face, working forward by kicking your feet.Once the ice is solid enough to hold you, andyou can pull yourself out, remain lying on theice (do not stand; lying down spreads yourweight across a wider area, lessening theweight on any one spot) and roll away fromthe hole. Crawl back the way you came, keep-ing your weight distributed, until you returnto solid ice or ground.
10. As the season progresses, plan accord-ingly and use caution, as the condition ofolder ice greatly varies and is subject to rapid-ly changing conditions.
The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlifeoffers additional ice safety tips and also pro-vides an “ice strength table” and guidance indetermining “how can I tell if the ice is safe.”Visit www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfwice.htmor www.mass.gov/dfwele and search for “ice.”
The Massachusetts Department ofConservation and Recreation, an agency ofthe Executive Office of Energy andEnvironmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acresof parks and forests, beaches, bike trails,watersheds, and dams, in addition to 278bridges and miles of roadways. Led byCommissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr., theagency’s mission is to protect, promote, andenhance our common wealth of natural, cul-tural, and recreational resources. To learnmore about DCR, our facilities, and our pro-grams, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr.Contact us at [email protected].
DCR issues winter safety tips
BANKS,STOCKS ANDLOANS, OH MY!FIND THEM ALL ON OUREASY-TO-USEONLINE DIRECTORY.
All local.All the time.
WinchendonCourier.com
WINCHENDON COURIER4 Wednesday, January 7, 2009
WINCHENDON COURIER
EDITORIAL
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A brand new start
VIEWSOpinion and commentary from Winchendon and beyond
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: FRANK CHILINSKIEDITOR: RUTH DEAMICIS
To the Editor:
After everything that’s happened in thefinancial world during this past year, the $700billion question is simple – what’s next?During these times of paralyzing uncertaintyI’m reminded of an Alan Kay quote, that “thebest way to predict the future is to invent it”.It’s important to remember that tomorrow isstill being invented and, even in the face ofmajor events in the financial world, peoplecontinue to work today to invent a bettertomorrow.
Across the globe, business and world lead-ers continue to work towards an effective res-olution to these rough financial times. Whatmakes me more optimistic is the way so manylocal businesses that have provided qualitypersonal service over the years are now work-ing creatively to invent a better future forthemselves, rather than just “waiting it out”.They continue to adopt new approaches to bet-ter serve their clients. Regardless of howmany headlines are published about marketdownturns, non-profits, community groups,
and individual volunteers also continuetowards their goals, giving of time and treas-ure to help invent a better tomorrow. Theselocal businesses and non-profits are trulyamong the most valuable assets of any com-munity and have earned our continued sup-port.
I especially like this season because itallows us to reflect on the past and inspires usto focus on the future. In the year to come, Ihope everyone finds the inspiration thatcomes from establishing new goals and thecourage to continue to pursue them, even inthe face of adversity. Here’s to inventing asuccessful tomorrow.
EDWARD F. MANZI, JR.PRESIDENT & CEO
FIDELITY BANK9 LEOMINSTER CONNECTOR
LEOMINSTER, MA 01453TEL: 978-870-1414FAX: 978-343-2021
Fidelity Bank: what’s next?
It’s a new day, a new month, a new year. The resolutions have been made, whether they willbe kept is another matter.
We’ve already dwelled on that, encouraging those in charge to step up to the task whole-heartedly and do the best with the little they have. There are apparently laws on theMassachusetts books that REQUIRE the state to pass shortages down to the cities and townsand not absorb it all themselves. Well, isn’t t hat special? The multi-billion dollar Big Brothersgets to foist their own shortages onto all of us.
Doesn’t seem right somehow.Before we absorb those losses, why aren’t we looking at mileage cuts and even wage cuts for
part time legislators? Who gets a part time job that pays more than $50,000 and then gives youall kinds of perks to go with it? We want that job. Who wants to run the campaign?
Or, before we are required to cut into our police and fire departments, how about examiningthe costs associated with some of the state level departments in those categories? Trainingfacilities could be shut down for now, offices could be consolidated, buildings could beclosed…before we let one single local firefighter or officer go we should be hustling to check outthose options.
Even the school department at the state level is pretty nifty. For what it’s worth, we’ve beento the Malden offices, and they’re pretty darn nice compared to the cramped classrooms andlack of space in some school districts. Let’s consider some consolidations and reparations therebefore we release one single classroom teacher.
It won’t happen. We don’t have enough power amongst ourselves to push the Big Brothers aswe should. Maybe if a whole coalition of towns got together a voice might be created that wouldbe heard…but there is little time for the work that would require.
At least think about writing those part time legislators with your own thoughts about whereand how to control the state level spending. Someone might listen.
On another note, we are appalled by the tack taken by a bigger newspaper in our area thathas decided the town of Winchendon is somehow at fault for a tragic incident last month. Thereis journalism, and there is journalism, and while we sympathize with the family of the victimit isn’t up to the newspapers to judge the outcome of such incidents before the courts have donetheir jobs.
One last note: both the Ashburnham and Winchendon dog pounds are in dire need of oldblankets to help keep their inmates warm during the cold season. Call the town hall at eithertown to find out where to drop off any donations.
LETTERS POLICYLetters to the editor are always welcome, and may be sent to to rdeamicis@stonebridge-
press.com, or The Winchendon Courier, 91 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. Besure to include a name and residence. Please refrain from sending letters via fax, and besure to supply a home address and phone number to allow for confirmation. Allow at least48 hours for a response. Letters must be submitted by noon Friday to ensure publication inthe following week’s issue. Every effort will be made to accommodate late submissions, butinclusion can not be guaranteed. The rules of good taste and libel will, of course, apply toall submissions. Personal attacks will not be published. The editor retains the right to editall letters.
Iam trying my hand at some humorwith this column. This is a factualaccount of my New Year's Eve.
As you know, the world is reelingfrom one economic crisis after anoth-er. I am pleased to report to you thatthere is a small part of the world thathas not been affected: Greenwich,Connecticut.
Greenwich is home to many of thetitans of industry we read about inpapers like The New York Times. It isa place of tree lined streets, trendyboutiques, large estates and verywealthy people, many of whom leadthe companies that are now beingbailed out by you and me. But that is adifferent story.
For twenty-seven years, with theexception of a few, my wife and I havespent New Year's Eve with very dearfriends who also happen to celebratetheir wedding anniversary that samenight. It has been a wonderful time forthe four of us over the years.
This year it was their turn to decidewhere we would go for New Year's Eve.They selected a French restaurant inGreenwich. My wife and I didn't ask alot of questions, after 27 years whywould we?
Bad decision.We were met at the door of the
restaurant by a kid of about twelve.Had to be the owner's son because noone else would let their kid haul coatsback and forth all night on New Year'sEve when he could be in Times Squarewith a gazillion other kids screamingand making signs for the television
cameras with their fingers.We had reservations for the early
seating and were requested to appearat 7 p.m. and vacate our table by 9 p.m.
This would normally not be worthmentioning except to demonstratethat this place would fill every tabletwice that night. As the evening pro-gressed it was obvious this was notjust a request, or a rule, but rather amandate. The courses were served sofast I could have eaten more leisurelyfrom a bag lunch on a New York sub-way train.
We were asked if we would like acocktail before dinner.
I ordered a martini and my wifesaid she would like a glass of wine.She was handed the wine menu. Ithought I might have to perform theHeimlich maneuver on her becauseall the color drained from her face andshe was choking.
She showed me the wine list andthere were some pretty pricey choices.I told her she didn't have to buy a bot-tle of wine, just ask for a glass.
Then I felt her kick me under thetable. After glancing again at the winelist I realized the prices were per glass.
Lets just say a good many of themwere north of $30 per glass.
I am not going to mention what abottle of the grape juice cost because Iam sure you get the idea.
I quickly ordered her a glass ofsparkling water. She was "ok" withthat. Fortunately, she never saw whatthat bottle of water cost.
The first course could best bedescribed as three individual Ritzcrackers with small piles of roundstuff that greatly resembled rabbitdroppings.
A plate of little balls piled up onthree crackers was served to each ofus. The balls on one cracker wereblack, the balls on the second were yel-low and the balls on the third weresort of a mango color.
I grabbed the menu and saw that wewere actually eating, not rabbit drop-pings, but "caviar on blinis withVermont crème fraiche. That last stuffwas a bit of runny crème that could befound under the caviar. I cannot imag-ine why they had to go to Vermont toget it.
They brought us something aboutthe size of a little finger. They called ita "Langoustine a la plancha brushedwith truffle butter", but I'm prettysure it was the back end of a crayfishrolling around in some mushrooms.
You can fool a Midwesterner oncein a while but not often in a restaurantthat doesn't even print the menu inEnglish. They obviously thought wehad just fallen off the turnip truckfrom the farm.
The next dish was chicken wingsbraised in "red wine touched withMexican mole." You will note thatthey said wings, plural. Actually, thiswas a small ball of meat on a stick.Any chicken that tried to fly withthese for wings would have torn tworotator cuffs!
I have absolutely no idea why theMexican mole brushed it, but I expecthe is an illegal alien working under anassumed name for the CIA inGreenwich. Obviously, a restaurantcould never find an American whowould want a job brushing little chick-en wings.
This is one of the arguments pre-sented in favor of illegal immigrationby our federal government. The gov-ernment states there are jobsAmerican just will not do. Clearly, thisis one of them.
No wonder these Mexican workersrisk their lives to get here and refuseto leave. Where in Mexico would any-one actually pay you to brush chickenwings.
It was time for "Le Dinner." I washopeful.
Foolish feeling.First we had bay scallops. mussels,
lobster and crayfish "mélange tossedin Americaine sauce 'en cappuccino'"
Basically, someone took a scoop offish chowder, dropped it in the middleof the plate, and poured coffee on it.
This was followed by "fresh mush-room harvest and black trufflewrapped in capon mousse, en crepeWillington, sauce perigourdine. "
I knew this had to be pretty impor-tant stuff because the owner/chefcame out personally with two verylarge black things called truffles thathe personally sliced onto our plates.He reminded us the mushrooms/truf-fles had just been flown in that morn-ing. At least he had the decency not tosay where they were flown from. Witha little encouragement I could havearranged to fly them back.
A guy that would go to Vermont forthe cream might have actually gone toNew Jersey for the truffles, althoughhe could have taken Amtrak and savedthe airfare.
I mentioned to my wife that I heardthey used pigs to snort out truffles.Based on the taste, I can see why. Whoelse would want to snort one out?
As for "en crepe Willington" I amcompletely at a loss to explain. I doknow Beef Wellington has somethingto do with meat and liver. WhatWillington was doing with his crepein this particular dish remains a mys-tery.
Let me just say that the "sauceperigourdine" tasted just like it sound-ed.
Finally we were brought a "leg oflamb slow cooked overnight in sealedcasserole." They must have searchedthe world for a lamb this small. Mylamb's leg was slightly larger than mythumb. If they really slow cooked it allnight I suppose it might have startedout normal size. After all that cooking,
ECONOMIC CRISIS SPARES GREENWICH CONNECTICUT
JACK BLAIR
NOTES OFCONCERN
Of cabbages…and the ‘king’…but at least school is in sessionDo they really sell these
things? That's what Iwas thinking the other
day when I saw another one ofthose seemingly unending'not sold in stores" infomer-cials. This one didn't featurenoted pitchman Billy Maysscreaming, bellowing even, asis his wont, about some"essential" household prod-uct, you know the ones, those $40 values youcan get for just $19.95 if you call in the next 12seconds, credit card in hand. No, this one wasabout the King.
That's right. "Elvis Lives" is the title of thismust-have CD. "A timeless memorial tributeto the King" is how the breathless narratordescribed the package, the use of the word"memorial", no doubt confounding the truebelievers who remain convinced, more than30 years later, that Elvis is in hiding some-where, (no doubt with Jimmy Hoffa) patient-ly planning a triumphant return toGraceland, if not the Vegas stage, and surelynot a world tour.
I don't know. I guess maybe the folks who
tune in to QVC, or some of theother 24/7 all- shopping net-works might be something ofa target group for this kind ofthing, along with those eter-nally vigilant Elvisholics, agood number of whom are,hard as it may be to believe,even older than me.
I suppose as well the releaseof this "must have" CD is
timed to coincide, of course, with the factthat Friday is Elvis' birthday(I learned thatfrom that very same infomercial). You can becertain that almost anyone inclined to buythe thing is well aware of that fact, and isprobably planning a party. Burning love,indeed.
Meanwhile, a lot of the rest of us are plan-ning parties, or at least some sort of celebra-tion, for 13 days from now — InaugurationDay. The Mount, for example, isn't technical-ly in session until a few days later, butnonetheless, a student group is hosting aninaugural party in the college's cafeteria andthey'll have company on an awful lot of othercollege campuses, some of them actually out-
side the borders of what is occasionallyreferred to as "The People's Republic ofMassachusetts". No, I don't think that's meantas a compliment, but feel free to take it thatway regardless. I certainly do.
But as we wait, it's interesting to note thatwhile President-elect Obama has insertedhimself squarely into the middle of the eco-nomic debate, proposing this, suggestingthat, he's managed to avoid discussing the lat-est Middle East crisis by saying we only haveone President at a time, and thus he's defer-ring to the Bush Administration when itcomes to dealing with Israel and thePalestinians.
That's probably a smart thing to do sinceit's unclear in any event exactly what theUnited States realistically can or ought to do.
Obama has two weeks before this, andeverything else becomes his problem, so fornow, lying low is the best strategy he and histeam can adopt. Those enormous challengeswill belong to them soon enough.
Speaking of challenges, school reopenedMonday after what became a 23-day winterbreak. No one's been in class since Dec. 11,the day before the ice storm hit. Progress
reports had been scheduled to go out on the12th, but by that morning, Murdock wasbeing used as a Red Cross shelter.
It isn't easy, whether you're an adult or not,to get back into a routine after a long break,especially one that's longer than originallyplanned or expected. But I don't have anydoubts about the capacity of the staff andkids at Murdock to do so. I happened to havea conversation with principal NickDeSimone a day or two before the suspensionof classes for the balance of December, andremarked to him how impressed I was, andam, about the whole atmosphere at theschool, which is light years away from thegloom-and-doom of some fairly recent years.
Every school, no matter what or where, hasissues, but Nick and his staff and the studentbody have worked hard, and worked together,to make Murdock a place where everyone,adults and kids alike, can feel comfortable,safe, energized, and positive. You can see theresults of those joint efforts too. The wholeschool community deserves credit for theturn-around, and the entire town communityreally ought to acknowledge it. Good work allaround.
JERRYCARTON
JOURNEY
OF THE
HEART
Turn To NOTES, page 5
which I think the French call reduction, thisbaby could have been owned by Bo Peep.
The little lamb was accompanied by "braisedvegetable roots au jus." I had just enough Frenchin school to know that the roots of some uniden-tified vegetables were walked past the flame of afire and then covered with gravy. The gravy wasa nice touch as it eliminated your need to knowwhat vegetables you might be eating. And nowhere was it mentioned where they were "flownin" from. Some things must just remain a mys-tery.
The last portion of this "act" involved some-thing called "emulsion of active acai berry."Where I was raised emulsion usually referred tosomething soapy.
I never met an acai berry. So I suppose this wasan unusual berry, one that defied all the usualcategories of ras, straw, elder, etc. Anyway, theacai berry was said to be" active." I am not surehow different it would have looked or tasted if ithad been "inactive." More mystery.
The main courses ended with a serving ofBambi.
Although the menu said it was "a slice of veni-son in grand venue sauce and garnish" I want toassure you that if what was on my plate was
actually part of a deer, most of the animal is stillrunning through the woods.
Here is the part you have been awaiting.Dessert!
Actually, each of us got four desserts on oneplate and there was still room on the plate for aquart of ice cream if we had wanted it.
We enjoyed a chocolat fondant with "Ile de Reseat salt."
The best way to explain this so you can visual-ize it would be to say it was like a chocolate muf-fin that was uncooked on the inside and thensprinkled with sea salt to be certain you would-n't want more.
The next dessert was described as a "Hibiscusflower and baba champagne martini."
Basically, it was a flower in a martini glass onequarter full of champagne. I think they startedout trying to decorate the tables by putting flow-ers in Martini glasses and then someone sug-gested they add a little champagne and pass it offas dessert. When something "works" it is just abeautiful thing.
I tried to get them to take it back and bring mea real Martini with a couple of olives but theypolitely refused.
The third dessert was "Pineapple Carpacciowith Mexican saffron."
Yes, the same Mexican who brushed the chick-en wings messed with the pineapple and mixedit with rice!
Finally, "roulade of apple tart with preserveddate" made an appearance. The apple tart wasn'tbad but I cannot imagine why anyone wouldhave preserved that date.
For the privilege of dining in Greenwich wewere required to lay out over $250 "greenbacks"per couple. Ouch!
And the happy faces at the other tables and thefriendly greetings in the face of the "robbery"that was taking place are what led me to realizethat I had actually stumbled on a part of theworld that was immune from the world financialcrisis.
There will always be places where peopleequate the quality of the food they eat with theprice they pay for it. In addition, if you are con-vinced it is a privilege to be able to eat in such arestaurant that adds to the impressiveness of theexperience. And sadly, some of these places arepricey because they wish to keep out the folkswho cannot afford such an expensive meal.
In the final analysis, I really did not find themeal one that I would like to experience again. Ididn't enjoy the food and the price of the mealwas ridiculous. There is no question I would
have been happier with a cheeseburger or a plateof meatloaf. Not only would such a meal havebeen more pleasing but my wallet would havebeen much fuller when I departed the restau-rant!
This will also serve as a barometer for me. Ifthis place is still in business next year and thoseGreenwich folks are still shelling out numerousBenjamins to pay for one dinner, then there ishope that we may actually survive the economicdownturn.
As we departed quickly so they could get thetables ready for the next group of suckers, Imean diners, I must have looked a bit gloomybecause my wife said she knew how to save us50% on the cost of our meal over time.
This was the highlight of my night.I quietly asked her how she would do it, not
wanting our friends to hear me.She turned and whispered to me: "next year,
when we get to pick the restaurant, they are com-ing to our house and I am cooking."
I hope the Mexican is still available.
WINCHENDON COURIER 5Wednesday, January 7, 2009
FOM: Winchendon was generousTo the Editor:
The Friends of Old Murdock thank thegenerous Winchendon residents who madeour second annual Festival of Tables a suc-cess.
The presenters: Donna Shaughnessy,Linda Lapointe and Esther Grimes, PeggyCorbosiero, Theresa Beauvais, MargaretBartlett, Michelle Burdick and Lynn Bailey,Laurie Rivard, Penny Maliska, Joan Potvin,Suzanne Kurylo, Don O’Neil and TrishaO’Connell: created a feast for the eyes. Usingtheir own dishes, glassware and decorations,they each fashioned a glorious table thatbrought color and vitality to the auditoriumof Old Murdock.
We also thank Central Market IGA, Dad’sDiner, Reflections, Hungry 4 Pizza, Pattie’sJewelry, Horse & Buggy Feeds, Last MinuteGifts, Sneak A Peek, Second Impressions,Bruce’s Burner Service, McKinnon’s CoffeeHouse, Simply Styling, Cozy Cupola, SilverHawk, Front Street Country, Christo’s Place,Lickety Split, Lucky Dragon, Jagged Edge byKaren, Dugan’s Wild Cut and the CarriageHouse Restaurant who all contributed to theChristmas raffle.
Suzanne Kurylo used a whimsical theme, with danc-ing stars.
Don O’Neil and Trisha O’Connell used a lot of red for their settings.Joan Potvin created a “Taste of Tuscany” table with fresh bread and fruitdominating the settings.
Penny Maliska chose a bright lavender and silver for impact.
Doneen Durling photos
Bone china and crystal were used by Linda LaPointe and Esther Grimes.
WEDNESDAYJanuary 7
WINCHENDON — Winchendon Kiwanis meet at 6:30 p.m. atthe Carriage House Restaurant.
WINCHENDON — Quilters workshop at Old MurdockSenior Center every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Share your love ofquilting and your ideas; finish those UFOs. For informationcall the Center at (978) 297-3155; Barbara at (978) 297-0744 orFaye at (978) 297-1885. $2 fee per evening.
FRIDAYJanuary 9
WINCHENDON — The Winchendon Rod & Gun Club holdsFish Fry Friday on Jan. 9 at the club on River Street. Fish,clams, shrimp and more, 530-8 p.m.
SATURDAYJanuary 10
WINCHENDON —The Hawg Haulers are holding a Crashin’Sucks Benefit Party for Kevin, Jeff, JC, and Dave Saturday Jan.10 at 7 p.m.– midnight at the Winchendon American Legion.
The benefit will feature the soon-to-be world famous Phil-DBand. The evening will be filled with raffles, prizes, auctions,games of chance and more. Tickets are $10 donation at thedoor.
SUNDAYJanuary 11
WINCHENDON — The United Parish, 39 Front St., presentspancake breakfast with sausage, scrambled eggs, home fries,blueberry pancakes, three kinds of toast, fresh fruit cup, sixassorted juices, banana bread, coffee and tea. Adults $5, chil-dren aged 3-11: $3.
MONDAYJanuary 12
WINCHENDON — On Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the MemorialElementary School Cafeteria, The Girl Scout Brownies ofTroop 30167 meet. For more information on how you can joinscouting contact Erica @ [email protected] or contact theGirl Scouts of Central and Western Mass @http://www.girlscouts.org
WEDNESDAYJanuary 14
WINCHENDON — The Winchendon AgriculturalCommission invites you to come to our Agricultural OpenHouse on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. It will be held in the 4thFloor Conference Room of the Winchendon Town Hall. Talk
HANNAFORD HELPS OUTPhil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Marc Bonneau fromHannaford talk with Ginny White from Ginny’s Helping Hands at a dinner the supermarket chain host-ed for local food pantries. In addition, Hannaford made a $9500 contribution to United Way’sCommunity Support Fund, which is providing immediate emergency relief through the food pantries.
TAX LAW SEMINAR AT GFAGARDNER — GFA Federal Credit Union has announced that it will offer a free tax law sem-
inar on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. in its office located at 229 Parker St., Gardner.Consumers are facing several tax law changes for filing their 2008 returns. GFA will be host-
ing Joe Giannotti, EA of Ameritax who will discuss the changes and how they affect personalfilers. Paul Fitzpatrick from GFA Financial will also be on hand to give an overview of taxadvantaged investment strategies.
This free seminar is open to members of GFA as well as the general public. Seating is limit-ed, so those interested in attending are asked to call (978) 632-2542 to make reservations.
GFA Federal Credit Union is a full service community financial institution serving CentralMassachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Branch locations are in Ashburnham,Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Rindge, Rutland and Winchendon. Visit gfafcu.com for moreinformation.
Halpa, joins Tom Ruble Real Estate ServicesASHBURNHAM - Jackie Halpa, an experienced agent working with both
sellers and buyers, has recently joined Tom Ruble Real Estate Services ofAshburnham. She has held her real estate license since 2007.
Tom Ruble stated “I am proud to welcome Jackie as the newest member ofthe staff at Tom Ruble Real Estate Services and look forward to workingwith her.”
Halpa, previously with Jack Conway & Company, Inc. in Norton nowresides in Winchendon where, in addition to practicing real estate, she ownsa mobile pet grooming business and works part-time as a fitness instructorat Clark Memorial Center.
When asked why she joined Tom Ruble Real Estate Services, she replied,“I had worked on a deal with Tom and was impressed with his thoroughnessand integrity. I wanted to work closer to home, in my own community.”
Jackie will be accepting listings and working with buyers in Winchendon and the surround-ing towns. She can be reached at 978-827-4396 ext. 4 or directly at 774-219-3665. Her listings canbe viewed at the company web site www.RubleRealEstate.com.
GFA collects toys for local childrenREGION — GFA Federal
Credit Union recently collectedtoys in its branches to benefitchildren in need this holiday sea-son. GFA’s members, staff, andvolunteers donated over 300 toysto charitable groups in eachbranch’s local community.
“As our communities feel theeffects of the current economy,GFA is pleased to make a differ-ence,” remarked Tina M. Sbrega,President/COO of GFA, “Wethank our members, staff, andvolunteers who donated toys forchildren in need this season.”
GFA Federal Credit Union is afull service community financialinstitution serving CentralMassachusetts and SouthernNew Hampshire. Branch loca-tions are in Ashburnham,Fitchburg, Gardner,Hubbardston, Rindge, Rutlandand Winchendon. Visitgfafcu.com for more informa-tion.
GFA Federal Credit Union Branch Manager (Parker St, Gardner) BobJumper delivers toys to Julie Meehan from the Gardner CAC. Over300 toys were collected in all of GFA’s branches and donated tolocal social service organizations.
Jackie Halpa
Stop & Shop announces free programQUINCY — At a time when the health of
many families are affected by a difficult econ-omy, The Stop & Shop SupermarketCompany, in a major consumer wellness ini-tiative, is launching a free prescription pro-gram covering 36 generic antibiotics in ninebasic categories. The program will run fromJan. 2-March 21 at all Stop & Shop pharma-cies.
“Stop & Shop pharmacies are committed toimproving the health and wellness in ourcommunities during the winter season whenfamilies are susceptible to coughs, and cer-tain cold-related and bacteria-borne illness-es,” explained Andrea Astrachan, consumeradvisor for Stop & Shop. “As the provider offresh, wholesome foods that help our cus-tomers stay healthy, we feel it is equallyimportant to offer these free antibiotics tofight illness.”
In recent months Stop & Shop has heldAffordable Food Summits, offered customersReal Deal savings and expanded its line ofcorporate brand products against the back-drop of a difficult economy. This new well-ness initiative is all about access – to the pre-
scriptions families need from a company thatcares about the health and wellness of thecommunities it serves
“Free antibiotics is the latest good newsour pharmacies are offering the public,”Astrachan said. “We also offer up to a 90 daysupply on over 350 commonly prescribedgeneric drugs for only $9.99.”
Stop & Shop is supporting the programwith television advertising, physician out-reach, in-store communication and anexpanded web presence. For additional infor-mation along with a list of the antibioticsincluded in this program go to www.stopand-shop.com/antibiotics
ABOUT STOP & SHOP
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company,based in Quincy, Massachusetts, employsmore than 59,000
associates and operates stores throughoutMassachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island,Maine, New Hampshire, New York and NewJersey.
CALENDAR
Turn To CALENDAR page A5
WINCHENDON COURIER 7Wednesday, January 7, 2009
MASSWILDLIFEKEEP AN EYE ON THE ICE!
Winter has made its appearancein Massachusetts, but the variabletemperatures that have been expe-rienced in the state so far this sea-son mean the condition of ice onthe Bay State's water bodies isunpredictable and could betreacherous. There have alreadybeen several instances in the statewhere people have fallen throughthe ice. The Division of Fisheries& Wildlife urges outdoor enthusi-asts to play it safe and check icecarefully before venturing ontoice-covered waters. Foot traffic ona layer of 4” ice is a good safethickness. An ice strength table isposted on the agency website at:www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recre-ation/ice_safety.htm.
How can you tell if ice is safe?There are no guarantees -- alwaysconsider ice potentially danger-ous. Assess ice safety by using anice chisel to chop a hole in the iceto determine its thickness andcondition. Make sure you contin-ue to do this as you go further outon to the ice, because the thick-ness of the ice will not be uniformall over the pond or lake. Be awarethat ice tends to be thinner onlakes and ponds where there arespring holes, inlets or outlets.Don't venture on to ice boundrivers or streams because the cur-rents make ice thickness unpre-dictable.
What if you fall through the ice?As with any emergency, don'tpanic! Briefly call for help. It does-n't take long for the cold water tostart slowing your physical andmental functions, so you must actquickly. Air will remain trappedin your clothes for a short time,aiding your buoyancy. Kick yourlegs while grasping for firm ice.Try to pull your body up using"ice pins" that should be hangingaround your neck. Once yourtorso is on firm ice, roll towardsthicker ice. This will better dis-tribute your weight. Rememberthat ice you have previouslywalked on should be the safest.After you reach safe ice, don'twaste precious time because youneed to warm up quickly to pre-vent hypothermia. Go to the near-est fishing shanty, warm car, orhouse. Don’t drive home in wetclothes!
If a companion falls through theice remember the phrase "Reach-Throw-Go." If you are unable toreach your friend, throw him orher a rope, jumper cables, treebranch, or other object. If thisdoes not work, go for help beforeyou also become a victim.
Pet owners should keep pets ona leash. If a pet falls through theice do not attempt to rescue thepet, go for help. Well meaning petowners can too easily become vic-tims themselves when trying tosave their pets.
For other cold and winterweather related preparednesstips, check the MassachusettsEmergency Management Agencywebsite at www.mass.gov/eops.
OUTDOOR USERS: THANK ALANDOWNER TODAY
As the year comes to a close andour fishing, hunting, or wildlifewatching adventures become fondmemories, it's time to rememberthe landowners who, throughtheir generosity helped to makethese experiences possible.“Access to fishing, hunting, hik-ing, or watching wildlife is a priv-ilege provided by landowners,”says Marion Larson, OutreachCoordinator for the Division ofFisheries and Wildlife(MassWildlife). “Let them knowyou appreciate it. If you are men-toring a new or young hunter,angler, or birder; include that per-son in the process of thanking thelandowner.”
Larson suggests the following
for hunters, anglers, and otheroutdoor users to keep in mindwhen thanking those who allowaccess their property for outdoorrecreation:
* Be thoughtful and personal inexpressing your appreciation,treating the landowner as youwould like to be treated.
* Visit the landowner at the endof the season to express yourappreciation in person; if possi-ble, provide him or her with someof your fish and game harvest,share images or a list of thewildlife you saw on their property.
* Send a personal note or cardto thanking him or her for theopportunity to use their land.Consider giving a small gift -- acertificate to a local restaurant, agift basket or perhaps a magazinesubscription from MassWildlife.
* Offer to assist with tasksaround the property that would behelpful or to identify, clean up andproperly dispose of any illegaldumping that has occurred.
* Assist the landowner in pro-tecting his or her property by doc-umenting and reporting suspi-cious activities to theEnvironmental Police at 1 (800)632-8075.
"Hunting, fishing, birding, andwildlife-related activities are tra-ditions that will continue only ifeveryone follows the basic princi-ples of being a good neighbor,"Larson said. "Take a few momentsto reflect on our outdoor tradi-tions, including the importance ofaccess to private lands in main-taining these traditions, and whatyou can do in 2009 to ensure thatthese recreational opportunitieswill available for future genera-tions."
OUTDOOR SHOW SCHED-ULE
The Massachusetts Division ofFisheries and Wildlife is partici-pating in a number of outdoor ori-ented shows in January andFebruary. At most of these ven-ues, licenses will be sold andsporting information and wildliferecreation opportunities will bemade available to show attendees.This is a great opportunity forfamilies, youth groups and otheroutdoor oriented people to meetagency staff and pick up some ofthe latest outdoor and sportinginformation.
January 16-18: The Fly FishingShow in Marlborough located atthe Royal Plaza Trade Center onRoute 20. MassWildlife will be sell-ing licenses and providing fishingand other outdoor information toattendees. For further informa-tion, visit The Fly Fishing Showwebsite atwww.flyfishingshow.com/Marlborough__MA.html or call toll free(866) 481-2393.
January 24-25: The 30th AnnualSoutheastern MassachusettsSportsmens Show held at theStandish Sportsmen’s Associationin East Bridgewater on 1 BurrLane. MassWildlife staff will selllicenses at this show and offerinformation on outdoor recre-ation opportunities and safety. Formore information about the show,contact Hugh Hurley (508) 588-9327.
February 5-8: Eastern Fishingand Outdoor Exposition at theDCU Centre in Worcester.MassWildlife staff will be on handto sell licenses and offer recre-ation information. The agency’sAngler and Hunter Education pro-grams will also be providinginformation and schedules at thisshow. Check out MassWildlife’sFreshwater Sport Fishing AwardsCeremony on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 4p.m. and see the youth and adultanglers who caught the biggestfish in 2008. The ceremony will beheld near the casting pool. Forinformation about the Worcester
February 13-16: RecreationalVehicle, Camping, and OutdoorShow in West Springfield at theBig E. MassWildlife andDepartment of Conservation &Recreation (DCR) staff will besharing space and outdoor recre-ation and safety information forcamping enthusiasts. For moreinformation, call (413) 781-CAMPor visit www.springfieldrvcamp-ingshow.com.
February 19-22: Sportsmen andBoat Show in West Springfield atthe Big E. Visit withMassWildlife’s Angler EducationProgram, buy a sporting license,or chat with the EnvironmentalPolice who will be set up nearby.For specific information aboutthis show, call (413) 467-2171 orvisit www.osegsportsmens.com.
EAGLE COUNT REMINDER
Birders and other wildlifeenthusiasts are reminded to noti-fy the Division of Fisheries andWildlife (MassWildlife) if they seeany eagles in the state during theperiod of December 31, 2008 –January 14, 2009. A concentratedsurvey of major rivers, lakes,reservoirs, and the coast byMassWildlife personnel, coopera-tors, and volunteers across thestate will take place Jan. 9.Reports of eagle sightings can bemade by email [email protected] or bypostal service to "Eagle Survey,"MassWildlife, Natural Heritage &Endangered Species Program, 1Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough,MA 01581. Please provide date,time, location, and town of eaglesightings, number of birds,whether juvenile or adult, and,observer’s contact information.
MOOSE SUCCESSFULLYRELOCATED FROM LOWELL
On Thursday, Dec. 18, stateEnvironmental Police Officersresponded with the assistance ofDivision of Fisheries and Wildlifebiologists to reports of a 600-700pound cow (female) moose wan-dering in the Crown Point Plazaarea, a densely populated part ofLowell. Because of the public safe-ty threat posed if the moose wan-dered into neighborhood traffic ornearby Route 3, the moose wasimmobilized by EnvironmentalPolice Officers of the LargeAnimal Response Team (L.A.R.T.).The moose was then transferredto MassWildlife biologists andtechnicians who successfully relo-cated the moose to a wildlife man-agement area in northernWorcester County. Prior to therelease, a GPS collar was placedon the animal as part of an ongo-ing moose study conducted by agraduate student working for theU.S. Geological Survey’sCooperative Fish and WildlifeResearch Unit at the University ofMassachusetts in Amherst. Formore information about moose inMassachusetts and what to do if amoose is seen in an urban area,visit the following web link:http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_moose.htm.
WATER SUPPLY GULLSTUDY
This summer and fall, theDepartment of Conservation andRecreation (DCR) began conduct-ing a research program to trackthe habits and flight patterns ofgulls near the Quabbin andWachusett Reservoirs, and is nowasking the public’s help in report-ing any sightings of tagged gulls.With funding from theMassachusetts Water ResourcesAuthority’s (MWRA) WaterSupply Protection Trust, permitand capture assistance from theDivision of Fisheries & Wildlife,
and advice from theMassachusetts Audubon Society,DCR staff have already caughtand tagged nearly 250 Ring-billed,Herring, and Greater black-backed gulls around the reser-voirs in an effort to track theirfeeding habits and daily where-abouts. Information from sight-ings will be used to help identifylocal food sources for the birdsand determine the best way to tryto prevent them from spending thenight at the reservoirs. From fallthrough spring, thousands ofgulls spend the night sitting in thewater at the reservoirs. Foralmost 20 years, DCR has usedvarious techniques to scare thebirds away from the MWRAintake pipes and prevent theirdroppings from polluting thewater. While those techniques –which involve setting off loudnoises near the gulls, for example– have proven effective, DCR islooking for a more ecological andefficient approach.
Each gull species has its owntag color with a unique identifica-tion number for each tag. Withhelp from the public, DCR hasalready been able to record thewhereabouts of many of the birdsat various times during the day,week, and season. Sightings havealready been received from cen-tral Massachusetts to Maine, aswell as from the Canadianprovinces of Manitoba andNewfoundland. Anyone who seesa wing-tagged bird is asked to tryto obtain the alpha-numeric com-bination on the tag (e.g., A57) andreport it using the contact infor-mation below. Be sure to includethe time and place the bird wassighted. Contact Dan Clark at(508) 792-7423 x 215 [email protected]. GullStudy information can be found atwww.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/study/index.htm.
REMEMBERING JIM MCDONOUGH
Jim McDonough, former gamebiologist for the MassachusettsDivision of Fisheries & Wildlife,passed away in October.McDonough received anAssociate’s Degree from theStockbridge School ofAgriculture in Amherst in 1939.After temporary work with theCivilian Conservation Corps, hewas employed by then-namedMassachusetts Division ofFisheries and Game from 1948 to1984 as a technician and then agame biologist. Veteran sports-men and -women will rememberthat McDonough was particularlynoted for his work with white-tailed deer management and wasinstrumental in developing theMassachusetts antlerless deerpermit system and ecologically-based deer management zones.He was also deeply involved withresearch and management of cot-tontail rabbits and early succes-sional habitats and conductedsome of the earliest status sur-veys and habitat investigations ofthe New England cottontail.McDonough was a member of TheWildlife Society (TWS), the profes-sional association of wildlife biol-ogists and was among the firstbiologists to be certified by TWSin the late 1970s, when the certifi-cation program was initiated.Through his efforts and financialsupport, TWS implemented the“Jim McDonough Award” in the1980s to recognize CertifiedWildlife Biologists who are mem-bers of TWS at all levels and whohave made significant contribu-tions to the wildlife profession.Along with his friend and col-league, the late Dr. RobertMcDowell of Connecticut, JimMcDonough was instrumental inthe formation of the New EnglandChapter in 1979 and served as itsfirst president. McDonough’s
knowledge and advice also extend-ed across the Atlantic, where heserved as an advisor to the IrishDeer Society and a younger gener-ation of Irish deer biologists.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The Natural Heritage &Endangered Species AdvisoryCommittee will be meeting onJanuary 8 at 1:30 p.m. at theDivision of Fisheries & WildlifeField Headquarters off NorthDrive in Westborough. TheFisheries & Wildlife Board meet-ing in January will be held onTuesday, January 27, 2009 at 1:00PM at the Division of Fisheries &Wildlife Field Headquarters offNorth Drive in Westborough. Incase of inclement weather themeeting will be held the followingday, Wednesday January 28, at 1:00PM at the same location. Bothmeetings are open to the publicand the building is handicappedaccessible.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS –Anupdated Calendar of Events canbe seen anytime atwww.mass.gov/masswildlife.
Jan. 8 – Feb. 26: Quack, quack!Junior Duck Stamp Traveling ArtExhibit, New Bedford--Bring yourfamily to see top youth entries inthe 2008 Massachusetts JuniorDuck Stamp Contest at theButtonwood Park Zoo at 425Hawthorn Street. The Duck Stampcontest is modeled after the adultversions of both the state and fed-eral duck stamp competitions.Youth of all ages are encouragedto learn about waterfowl and theimportance of wetlands throughthis conservation contest. For fur-ther information on the exhibit,contact: Gail Janeczek at (508)991-6178. For information in par-ticipating in the program, contactPam Landry at (508) 389-6310.
Jan. 11: Wildlife in YourBackyard, Belchertown – TheQuabbin Visitor’s Center will behosting a talk by Trina Moruzzi,MassWildlife biologist, who willbe talking about the commonwildlife that can be found in theregion’s neighborhoods and backyards. This free talk will begin at2 p.m. For more information, con-tact Maria Beiter-Tucker,Quabbin Visitor’s Center at (413)323-7221.
Jan. 18: Project WILD Workshopfor Educators, Dorchester – ZooNew England’s Franklin Park Zoo(FPZ) invites all K-12 educators toparticipate in an exciting six-hourinterdisciplinary hands-on/minds-on workshop focusingon terrestrial wildlife and ecosys-tems. Participants will activelyengage in activities, evaluatematerials for unique needs andsettings, share experiences withother educators, take home ideasand resources to integrate in totheir teaching, and make correla-tions to national and state contentstandards. Hours may be usedtoward obtaining PDP’s. Pre-reg-istration is required by calling theEducation department at FPZ(617) 989-3742. The cost for theworkshop is $15 per person.Franklin Park Zoo is accessible byMBTA or there is free parking atthe Zoo.
Jan. 31: Black Bears inMassachusetts, Monson — As partof a Winter Lecture Series, theNorcross Wildlife Sanctuary hasinvited MassWildlife BiologistRalph Taylor to give a talk aboutblack bears. Taylor has beenextensively involved in the blackbear research program that hasbeen ongoing for more than 2decades. This program will beoffered at 1 p.m. at the Sanctuarylocated on 30 Peck Road. ContactNorcross at (413) 267-9654.
with Commission members about what is happening with agriculture in Winchendon, getinformation on how to sell at the Toy Town Farmers' Market or ask questions about your spe-cific interest. Join us for an hour of information, friendship and planning for a betterWinchendon. Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
WINCHENDON — Winchendon Kiwanis meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Carriage House Restaurant.
WINCHENDON — Quilters workshop at Old Murdock Senior Center every Wednesday at 7p.m. Share your love of quilting and your ideas; finish those UFOs. For information call theCenter at (978) 297-3155; Barbara at (978) 297-0744 or Faye at (978) 297-1885. $2 fee per evening.
SUNDAYJanuary 18
WINCHENDON — On Sunday, Jan. 18th at 7 p.m., the United Parish of Winchendon will hosta community wide celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Guest speaker is Rev. Dr.Louis Bond of Worcester.
CALENDARcontinued from page A6
WINCHENDON COURIER8 Wednesday, January 7, 2009
SEND OBITUARIES at no charge to Editor Ruth DeAmicis, by faxing (978) 297-2177, or by e-mailing the editor at [email protected].
We also invite funeral directors and families to e-mail us a JPEG photograph to print, at no cost, alongside the obituary.
OBITUARIESMSgt. Thomas E. Bulkiewicz (Retired), 59 Merle A. (Brehio) Touchette, 97
PALM COAST, FL —Retired Master Sgt. ThomasE. Butkiewicz, 59, of PalmCoast and formerly ofGardner, died peacefully athis home on Dec. 25.
Born in Greenfield on May17,1949, he is the son ofLucille A. Butkiewicz of
Gardner and the late Felix Butkiewicz.Thomas was a United States Vietnam War
Army veteran. Upon graduating fromGardner High School in 1967, Thomas enlistedin the Army and served in the Army’s ElitePATHFINDER Platoon of the 101st AirborneDivision. Upon completion of basic training,he attended advance infantry training at FortOrd, CA, where he also served as SquadLeader. He then attended airborne trainingand non commissioned officer candidateschool at Fort Benning, GA. While there, hequalified in infantry tactics, jungle tech-niques, small arms specialization and as anon commissioned officer.
After being assigned to the 101st ScreamingEagles in Vietnam, he attended PathfindersSchool, where he qualified as a combat airtraffic controller. While in Vietnam, he alsoattended South Vietnamese Jump School,earning his Vietnamese jump wings. Duringhis service to his country, Thomas was award-ed the Silver Star, Bronze Star with V-Device,two Purple Hearts, Army CommendationMedal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Good
Conduct Medal, Brave EagleGold Coin for giving above andbeyond the call of duty, ArmyMedal with Cluster for partici-pating in more than 100 aerialmissions over hostile territoryand numerous Presidentialand Unit Citations. Thomaswas a member of the Disabled AmericanVeterans Chapter of Palm Coast.
He leaves his mother, Lucille A. Butkiewiczof Gardner; two sons, Christopher andHawklin Butkiewicz of Palm Coast, FL; onedaughter, Felicia Butkiewicz of Worcester;two granddaughters, Alyssa Kemper-Butkiewicz and Rhiana Butkiewicz of PalmCoast, FL; one brother, Paul D. Butkiewicz andhis life long companion Carol of St.Augustine, FL; two sisters, Beverly R. Harrisof Gardner and Gloria J. Butkiewicz of PalmCoast, FL and several nephews, nieces andcousins. He is preceded in death by his wife,Cheryl Valiton-Butkiewicz and his father,Felix Butkiewicz.
Memorial services were held Dec. 30 in theSnow-Ladeau Funeral Home (snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central St., Winchendon.The Rev. Francis A. Roberge officiated. Burialwill be in Arlington National Cemetery at theconvenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made toVeterans Homestead, 69 High St., Fitchburg,MA 01420.
TEMPLETON — Merle A.(Brehio) Touchette, age 87, of59 Eastwood Circle, Gardnerand formerly of 99 Bridge St.,Baldwinville, died Dec. 23, inthe Leo P. LaChance Centerfor Nursing andRehabilitation, Gardner.
She was born inBaldwinville on July 3,1921, the daughter ofEdward J. and Marguerite F. (Whitney) Brehioand was one of six children. She was a resi-dent of Baldwinville for many years and hadresided in Gardner since 2001.
Merle worked as a store clerk in many localstores in Gardner, including Grants, FannyFarmer Candy Store and for 21 years atGoodnow Pearsons. She has traveled toGermany, as well as Texas and other states tovisit with family. She also enjoyed vacationsin Maine.
She leaves a son, Richard E. Touchette ofGardner and a daughter, Carole M. Boulayand her husband Philip of Gardner; a brother,
Edward D. Brehio of Baldwinville; a sister,Marion J. Lancey of Baldwinville; five grand-children, four great grandchildren and sever-al nephews and nieces. She was predeceasedby two sons, Bernard L. Touchette of Bellville,TX, who died in 2006, and William J. Touchetteof Winchendon, who died in 2007 and her for-mer husband, Lawrence J. Touchette, whodied in 1987. Three sisters also predeceasedher, Marjorie D. Mellen of Oregon, who diedin 1983, Madeline J. Taylor Mellen ofConne4cticut, who died in 1995 and Marilyn J.Goodwin of Baldwinville, who died in 1998.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Dec. 29in St. Vincent dePaul Church Baldwinville.
Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery,Baldwinville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations maybe made to the Templeton Fire DepartmentRescue Squad, 2 School Street, Baldwinville,MA 01436.
Arrangements were entrusted to Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home (snow-ladeau.com)Winchendon.
Donald O. Smith, 99
Ledevino J. ‘Tony’ Antononi, 90
SOUTHWEST RANCHES, FL — Donald O.Smith, age 99, of Southwest Ranches, FL diedon Dec. 16.
He was born on the family farm in Grotonin 1909. He was preceded in death by his wife,Esther (Boyce) Smith and is survived by hiscurrent wife Aurora (Benetiz) Smith, sonsRobert Smith of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and DavidSmith of Orlando, FL, a daughter NancyMarchese of Nashville, TN, nine grandchil-dren and 23 great grandchildren.
Don is a graduate of Wentworth Institute inBoston, which subsequently awarded him anhonorary BS degree a few years ago. Hemoved to Winchendon in 1944, where heowned and operated the former CheneyLumber Company.
In 1957, he moved to Florida and establishedSeaboard Lumber, a wholesale building sup-ply company. After retiring from business in1975, he was an early investor and a memberof the Board of the American Bank ofHollywood, FL, now part of Wachovia.
He is past president of the Winchendon
Kiwanis Club, a member of Artisan Lodge ofMasons for over 50 years, and a life member ofthe Aleppo Temple Shrine. He is a chartermember of the First United Church of Christof Hollywood, FL and in 1990 donated thechurch social hall, which is named after himand Esther.
Don has spent the past 33 summers at hishome on Lake Monomonac in Rindge and hasbeen active in many local charitable causes.Three local communities, Rindge,Winchendon and Groton, enjoy band concertseach summer from bandstands that he builtand donated in the past few years.
Funeral services will be held at the FirstCongregational Church of Rindge on Friday,Jan. 2 at 11 a.m., following a time of visitationat 10 a.m. The family has asked that instead ofsending flowers, donations may be sent inmemory of Don, to the First United Church ofChrist, 200 N. 46th Ave., Hollywood, FL 33021.
The Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home (snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central St., Winchendon, MAis directing arrangements.
TEMPLETON — LedevinoJ. “Tony” Antononi, age 90,formerly of 17 Winchester St.,Baldwinville, died Dec. 28 inthe Wachusett ManorNursing Home, Gardner.
He was born in Sault Ste.Marie, Canada on Dec. 7,1918,the son of Giovanni and
Antonia (DeAngelis) Antognoni and had livedin Baldwinville for over 50 years. He previous-ly had lived in Winchendon for many years.
Tony was a salesman at Mathieu Ford inWinchendon for 28 years until his retirementin 1981. He proudly served in the UnitedStates Army during World War II and wasawarded four Overseas Service Bars and theAmerican Theatre Ribbon. Tony was a mem-ber of the Otter River Sportsman’s Club,Roger P. Warfield Post American Legion inBaldwinville and the Lt. Frederick WilderWhite Post 2158 VFW in Winchendon. He wasa former member of the Winchendon KiwanisClub.
He leaves his wife of 63years, Helvi M. (Mieskolainen)Antononi; a son, Wayne J.Antononi and his wife Patriciaof Gardner; a daughter,Cynthia L. Nygard and herhusband John of Templeton; abrother, Elliot J. Antognoni ofSt. Petersburg, FL; two sisters,Amelia T. Steves of Winchendon and Eva E.Dionne of Lansdowne, VA, six grandchildrenand several nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Dec. 31 in theSnow-Ladeau Funeral Home (snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central St., Winchendon.The Rev. Francis A. Roberge officiated.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery,Baldwinville.
Memorial donations may be made to theAlzheimers Association, MassachusettsChapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA02472 or to the Patients’ Activities Fund,Wachusetts Manor Nursing Home, 32 HospitalHill Road, Gardner, MA 01440
Terry A. Turner, 65
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. CELEBRATION
WINCHENDON ? Terry A. Turner, age 65, of417 Maple St. entered heaven on Friday, Jan. 2.
He was born in Augusta, ME on July 19,1943and had lived in Winchendon for many years.He was an avid sportsman and an accom-plished auto body repairman before becomingill. Terry loved to play checkers and taughthis kids and grandkids to play.
He leaves eight children: Terry A. TurnerJr. and Sherry Turner of Lewiston, ME, TerryTurner and his wife Grace of Greenfield,Theresa Thompson and her husband Larry ofGardner, Ronda Turner of Greenfield,Tammy Barrows and her husband Brian ofFitchburg, Laurie Clark and her husbandMark of Winchendon and Ronnie Turner of
Winchendon, 17 grandchildren and his ex-wife and care giver Theresa Turner ofWinchendon. He was predeceased by a broth-er and a grandchild, Ashlen Grace Turner.
A celebration of his life on earth and hispassage into heaven will be held on Saturday,Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. in the Church of God, 30Beech St., Winchendon, with a reception tofollow. The Rev. Howard E. Underwood Jr. willofficiate.
Memorial donations may be made to theGardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA. 01440.
The Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home (snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central St., Winchendon isdirecting arrangements
Alice L. (LaDeau) Betourney, 87WINCHENDON – Alice L.
(LaDeau) Betourney, age 87,formerly of 37 Spruce St. diedpeacefully Sunday evening,Jan. 4 in the WachusettManor Nursing Home,Gardner.
She was born in Walpole,NH on July 30,1921, the
daughter of Lewis C. and Lillian A. (Westcott)LaDeau and was a resident of Winchendon formost of her life.
Alice owned and operated the formerAlice’s Beauty Salon for many years until herretirement. She was a member ofImmaculate Heart of Mary Church. Alicealso belonged to the Eugene M. Connor Post193 American Legion Auxiliary and workedbeano for many years. She was a 1939 gradu-ate of Murdock High School and graduatedfrom a hairdressing school in Worcester. Sheloved to cook and decorate beautiful cakes andenjoyed entertaining family and friends.Alice also loved her Siamese cats.
Her husband of 52 years, Charles R. “Bob”Betourney, died in 1994. She leaves a son, C.
Robert “Bob” Betourney Jr. and his wifeBonnie of Winchendon; a daughter, Linda A.LeBlanc and her husband Alfred ofClaremont, NH; six grandchildren, 14 greatgrandchildren and several nephews andnieces. Three brothers, Harold L. LaDeau,who died in 1992, Duane A. LaDeau, who diedin 1994 and Bobbie Ladeau, who died at theage of 1; a sister, Betty Ladeau, who died at theage of 16 and a half sister, Adeline Bobbit,who died last month, predeceased her.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Jan.13 from the Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home(snow-ladeau.com), 343 Central St. with aMass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. inImmaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 SpruceSt.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.Calling hours in the funeral home will be
Monday, Jan. 12 from 6-8 p.m.Memorial donations may be made to
Immaculate Heart of Mary ChurchRestoration Fund, 52 Spruce Street,Winchendon, MA. 01475.
On Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m., theUnited Parish of Winchendon willhost a community wide celebrationof the Martin Luther King Jr. holi-day. This is the second year that thechurches of Winchendon havebanded together to honor thedream and vision of Dr. King.
We sometimes forget that Dr.King was the Reverend Dr. Kingand that his work and mission wasbased on his Christian faith. Ithink Paul’s letter to the Galatiansexemplifies the freedom we allhave in Christ. Paul writes, “Thereis neither Jew nor Greek, there isneither slave nor free, there is nei-ther male nor female; for all areone in Christ Jesus.”
I lived in Florida in the mid ‘50sand remember vividly the separaterestrooms, drinking fountains, andplaces at the back of the bus. I wentto Selma, Alabama with my dad in1965 and saw the racial discrimina-tion. I saw billboards in support ofthe KKK when I lived in NorthCarolina in 1974. Much has beenaccomplished since Dr. King’s “Ihave a dream” speech yet let uscontinue to work for racial justicenot only here but throughout theworld.
Our guest speaker on Sunday,Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. is the Rev. Dr. LouisBond. He is a Methodist pastor
from Worcester and delivered avery powerful message last year.His message of last year was titled“Lest we Forget.” This year’s mes-sage will focus on King’s dream forracial equality. In attendance willbe clergy from area churches andrepresentatives from local govern-ment offices. You and your familywill be greatly blessed by attendingthis service.
Each year a fundamental ques-tion arises. Young people especiallywant to know, "Why do we honorDr. Martin Luther King Jr.? The fol-lowing article from theRaleigh/Wake web site helps toanswer these questions.
Early in our country's history,almost all black people came hereas slaves. Because people in theSouth felt they needed cheap laborin building the land and becauseblack people in Africa knew how tofarm land like that in the South,they were taken from their homesand forced to come to America.Upon arriving in this country, theywere sold to whites as slaves with-out rights or freedoms.
In 1776, the American Coloniesdeclared their freedom from GreatBritain. In the Declaration ofIndependence, Thomas Jeffersonwrote that "all men are createdequal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalien-able rights; that among these arelife, liberty, and the pursuit of hap-piness." That is, Jefferson declaredthat all citizens have the rights tobe free from oppression and haveequal opportunities in pursuingtheir goals. These ideals have beencalled the American Dream.
To best achieve these ideals, thepeople of the United States devel-oped their government along dem-ocratic principles in which the peo-ple choose who will lead them anddecide which laws should guidethem. The Constitution is a docu-ment that tells how leaders are tobe chosen and how laws are to bemade. The laws can be changed,usually when a majority votes to doso.
However, in the new government,slaves were not given the samerights as white people. They werenot given the opportunity to choosetheir leaders, start businesses, ownhomes or go to school. Slaves werenot allowed to lead their lives in theways they wanted. Yet, there weremany people, mostly people in theNorth, who wanted the slaves to befree, but there was not a majority ofthe people in the country who feltthat way. Some states in the Northhad outlawed slavery, but mostblacks in the South remained
slaves. Free blacks in the Northhad more rights than slaves, butthey still did not have as manyrights as white people.
Freeing the slaves was a largeissue in the Civil War. After thatwar, the slaves were finally giventheir freedom through amend-ments to the Constitution. TheThirteenth Amendment outlawedslavery in the United States, theFourteenth Amendment gaveblacks citizenship and theFifteenth Amendment gave themthe right to vote. Blacks becamefree citizens of the United States,but many whites were not happywith this change. They felt thatblacks should not be treated as citi-zens equal to whites. They passedlaws to keep whites and blacksapart. In 1896, the Supreme Courtdecided that the "separate butequal" facilities legalized in theSouth did not violate the 14thAmendment. Thus, blacks couldnot work with whites, live in thesame neighborhoods or send theirchildren to the same schools aswhites. Even so, black peoplethroughout the nation contributedto the betterment of the country.
Efforts to give black people theirrights never stopped, but thechanges were not enough. AfterWorld War II, many more people
felt that new laws were needed. In1954, the Supreme Court ruled thatblacks and whites could go to thesame schools, saying that "separatebut equal" schools were inherentlyunequal. However, many peoplestill did not want to change. It tooka strong leader, a person whobelieved in peace and justice, towin more freedom for blackAmericans. Martin Luther King Jr.was that man.
Between 1955 and 1968, MartinLuther King Jr. helped changeAmerica. He brought to the world'sattention how unfairly blacks weretreated. He had the help of millionsof Americans, but his strong lead-ership and unprecedented power ofspeech gave people the faith andcourage to keep working peacefullyeven when others did not. This ledto new laws that ended the practiceof keeping people of differentbackgrounds apart, making lifefairer for everyone.
America will always rememberthe work of Martin Luther King Jr.Each year, on the third Monday inJanuary, we celebrate his birthday.This is the first national holiday tohonor an individual blackAmerican. The legacy of Dr. Kinglives in each of us and we areresponsible to promote, teach andlive the American Dream.
F orget about the NFC? TheGiants and Panthers have,after all, been the best two
teams there for a while andshould advance to the NFC titlegame, if not with consummateease, then reasonably comfort-ably, right? Not so fast. ThePanthers, yes. With all duerespect to Arizona, c'mon. ButNew York and Philadelphia eachwon on one another's home field,and the Eagles needed an unlikelychain of events merely to qualifyfor the post-season, so now thatthey've advanced, it's possiblethey might win at theMeadowlands again. They'reabout as hot as a team can be atthe moment.
And the AFC just might offerall sorts of fireworks. Yeah,Tennessee is the top seed andBaltimore the lowest, but doesanyone really doubt that theRavens could take their swarm-ing defense into Nashville onSaturday, discombobulate Kerry
Collins (as they did in a SuperBowl) and knock off the Titans?Now that the Ravens have at leasta passable offense, they're a legiti-mate threat to win it all. The sameholds true for surging San Diego.Don't let the Chargers 8-8 regularseason record mislead you. TheBolts began the season with twoheartbreaking losses, a last-sec-ond defeat to Carolina and thenthe game that the refs inadver-tently stole from them in Denver. Ithink both, plus having to travelto London a few weeks later tooka lot of steam out of one of theAFC pre-season favorites, but SanDiego showed an awful lot of met-
tle in rebounding from a 4-8record to grab the division titleand then for the second straightyear send Peyton Manning tocommercial-land. Can they win inPittsburgh? You bet they can. Willthey? That's a bit problematical— Heinz Field in January's notthe most hospitable place for avisiting team but it wouldn't rankas the biggest upset in playoff his-tory, either. Realistically, theChargers are more of an 11-5 than8-8 team anyway.
I admit to being a bit surprisedabout the Ravens having gottenthis far. Teams with both rookiecoaches and rookie quarterbacksdon't generally advance to thedivisional round (ask theFalcons) but it's a pleasant sur-prise in a season where the play-ing field was leveled in the AFCthe moment Tom Brady wasinjured. Joe Flacco doesn't neces-sarily put up glamour numbers,but he manages the offense well,and the defense remains what it is
— opportunistic and savage.That's a combination that cantake you pretty far.
Speaking of level playing fields,like most football fans, I wasdelighted to see Utah knock offAlabama in the Sugar Bowl, con-tinuing the trend of "lesser" BCSteams beating the big boys fromthe power conferences and prov-ing yet again that a playoff sys-tem simply makes the only senseto sort out and determine anational champion.
Florida/Oklahoma should befun tomorrow night, but does any-one really think USC isn't everybit as deserving of playing for atitle? The whole BCS thing getsmore absurd every year. Utah'sundefeated, the only D-1 team tobe so. They just beat the team thatspent much of the season rankedno. 1. But the Utes never got achance to play for the champi-onship. Anyone want to call thatfair? Didn't think so.
WINCHENDON COURIER 9
BY JERRY CARTONSPECIAL TO THE COURIER
WINCHENDON — The firstweek of Murdock Middle HighSchool's girls’ varsity basketballseason has been what new coachDennis Supernant calls a "learn-ing experience" as the LadyDevils dropped their first threecontests, losing the season openerat Ayer, 63-20, narrowly falling toMonty Tech, 44-35, and beingdefeated by St. Mary's, 52-30.
"We're putting in a new system,with a new coach, and when youconsider all those practice dayswe lost, it's been tough on ourkids," said Supernant, referenc-ing the weather-induced schoolclosing since Dec. 11 untilMonday.
The season opener at Ayer wasan eye-opener.
"They're a good team. We'dhave liked to have competed bet-ter and we will, but that was atough game to start a season
with," remarked Supernant.As she will likely do most
nights, junior Ashley Perry, lastwinter's leading Mid-Wach scorer,led Murdock with 7 points in thelid-lifter while Amanda LeClairscored 6, freshman Jess Monettecontributed 4, freshman HaleyHagemeyer added 2, and JocelynAgnelli scored one.
"Not to make excuses at all, butAyer had played twice before weplayed them, and we've reallybeen hurt more by not being ableto practice than by not being ableto play," Supernant said.
In the home opener againstMonty Tech, the Lady Devils ledafter the first period, 8-7, andtrailed by just three at the halfbefore the Bulldogs went on an 11-0 run during the third period,which was enough to stem theMurdock fourth quarter rally.
Perry scored 26, including athree-pointer and was 5 for 6 fromthe free throw line. Monette
scored 4 once again, LeClair con-tributed three, and Ali Russelladded two points.
"Overall, this was much better,”said Supernant. "And these girlsare really resilient. They're thebest. They don't get down. Theykeep coming after you.”
But he acknowledged thatMurdock faces a numberscrunch.
"That really makes a big differ-ence in practice where you some-times can't do exactly what youwant in terms of teaching thingsbecause of the numbers. But theyare showing a lot of good deter-mination with each other, andthat's a good thing," he said.
The St. Mary's contest waspunctuated by two big runs fromthe visiting Eagles, an 11-0 spurtto open the second period, a stan-za in which the Lady Devils wereheld scoreless, and an overall 21-0run that continued into the thirdquarter.
Nailing a pair of threes, Perryled Murdock with 14 points andLeClair poured home 10, with sin-gle scores added by Russell,Elisha Skinner, and Sara Vose.
"Building a program is aprocess," remarked Supernant,noting the Lady Devils played St.Mary's even in the fourth quarter."They, like Ayer, are a good teamand we're a young team. It'll takea while."
The junior varsity, however, didmanage a win, a low-scoring 16-13triumph over St. Mary's as JessMahan scored nine points. Intheir other games, the JV lost toAyer and Monty Tech. BrittanyMartin, Courtney Carton, KatieBerube, and Jackie Ellis allscored for the Lady Devils in oneof those two contests.
After last night's game againstLunenburg, Murdock will hostHudson tomorrow - JV at 5:30 andvarsity tip off at 7 p.m.
SPORTSSPORTS
Girls’ basketball faces tough season
BY JERRY CARTONSPECIAL TO THE COURIER
WINCHENDON —Significantly hamstrung by a lotof missed practice time, MurdockMiddle High School's indoortrack team opened its 2009 seasonwith one immediate state qualifi-er (Molly Martorella in the 2-mile) and ten top ten finishers ina dual meet against Oakmont andLittleton at Fitchburg HighSchool last Saturday.
Last month's weather woes,which has kept school closedsince Dec. 11, has limited the BlueDevils to just four practice ses-sions since then
"That hurt us for sure,"acknowledged Coach AlanHallquist. "We did pretty well con-sidering all the time we lost."
Martorella finished secondoverall in the two mile, complet-ing the distance in 12:43, some 17seconds under the qualifyingtime for the state meet later thiswinter.
She wasn't the only successfulMurdock runner on Saturday. Infinishing fourth overall in the 300meters, Seamus Fitzpatrick beatcompetitors from Littleton andOakmont, as did Bekah Wheelerwhen she finished overall fifth inthe high jump and ninth in the300. So did Will Lary in the 2-mile.
In their winter track debuts,Grace Maliska and KelseaAshmore finished tied for 10th inthe shot put. In the same event,Kassandra Salcedo set a personalbest.
Her brother, Jonah Parillia,
placed third in the 55 hurdles andEthan Gorecki was seventh in the1,000 meters.
Mariah Tenney, who last year,set a new school record in the 600meters, also made it inside the topten overall with a ninth place fin-ish in her event.
Her brother, Everett is amongnumerous newcomers to the teamwhom Hallquist expects to havean impact as the season goes on.
Sam Burdsall, Rachel Durgin,Amanda Gordon, Kyle Blouin andseventh graders Dan Fournierand Abby Amenta also bring newblood to the Blue Devils.
"They're all going to make acontribution," said Hallquist.
Murdock began the seasonwithout veterans Jenn Skawski,Alexis-Simmers-Swanson, and
Nikki Simmers. Other runnersSaturday included LiamFitzpatrick, Jim Charbonneau,Alex Emerson, Dan Denette,Kristy Stevenson, Katie Johnson,Nick Budka, Sara Newton, andHaley Amenta.
"It's hard when some otherschools have gotten to practicemore, but we really did okay,"Hallquist remarked.
The Blue Devils spent the nightbefore the season opener in theirtraditional alumni game of some-thing called 'matball' in the gym.
"We have fun, it gets us looseand ready," Hallquist said.
Next up in the rescheduledWinter Festival at the ReggieLewis Athletic Center in Boston.That event gets underway at 9a.m. on Saturday.
Track season starts on high notes
Boys’ start seasonwith two wins
BY JERRY CARTONSPECIAL TO THE COURIER
WINCHENDON — It's a long road to reach10 wins and a guaranteed spot in Districts, butMurdock Middle High School boys' varsitybasketball team has launched the 2008-09 sea-son the right way with a pair of victories toopen the season, beating Monty Tech on theroad, 59-54, and taking their home openerover Tahanto, 59-41.
The Blue Devils were scheduled to visitLunenburg last night.
When the season began at Monty Tech,Murdock got off to what coach AaronLaliberte called a "sluggish start", but turnedthings around to get the win.
Laliberte credited Tyler O'Malley with "giv-ing us a real spark". He added that DylanMuse and senior Glen Spellman were keyplayers during the second half rally.
Controlling the offensive boards duringthat second half made the difference for theBlue Devils.
"Monty Tech is a pretty good team so to goover there and win the first game of the sea-son was good for us," remarked Laliberte.
In the home triumph over Tahanto,Murdock was simply bigger and more physi-cal, and took advantage of those factors tosecure the win.
"We jumped on them early, got a big lead atthe half and never looked back," saidLaliberte.
Muse scored 19 points and Mike Quistadded 12 and collected 10 rebounds for theBlue Devils.
"We had a lot of defensive intensity all day,"noted Laliberte.
Murdock is off to the fast start without theservices of senior captain Jack Maliska, whois likely out for the year with a broken wrist.
"That's a big loss for us on and off thecourt," Laliberte acknowledged. "Jack's theultimate team player. He's still here at everypractice, at every game, which sets a greatexample, but it's definitely a challenge for usto compete and win without him. We'll needothers to step up and get the job done."
And despite the fast start, Laliberte is tak-ing nothing for granted.
"There are still a lot of things we need towork on, a lot of things we need to improveon, and the kids know that. But wins are winsand we're glad to have these two right away,”he said.
The boys visit Hudson tomorrow beforefinally coming home to host Narragansett onTuesday.
Don’t count any of them out of the Super Bowl
JERRYCARTON
TALKING
SPORTS
Winchendon Athol loses to Ashburnham 7-2BY DONEEN DURLINGCOURIER STAFF WRITER
WINCHENDON — The MurdockAthol Blue Devils met the OakmontSpartans on the ice at theWinchendon School rink, and skat-ed away with a loss 7-2. This was theBlue Devils’ third game of the sea-son, and its second loss.
After the second period, the scorewas 3-2, Oakmont. In the third peri-od juniors C.J. Shell and TravisBliss scored two goals each, com-pleting three of those goals withinseconds of each other.
Murdock Athol’s team CaptainBrett Fronte said his team couldhave kept up their end of the com-petition if they had spent less timein the penalty box and played itclean. Coach Robert Coulombeagreed with Fronte, but had littleelse to say.
Four freshmen from Athol areskating with the Blue Devil teamthis season. Both goaltenders, #30Aaron Gesner and #31 MichaelBrousseau are from Athol.
Other team members from Atholplaying for the Blue Devils are rightwing #7 Adam Aiken and defense-man #5 James Hughes.
SPORTS BRIEF
Doneen Durling photos
The Murdock Athol goalie tries to keep an Oakmont shot out of the net.
Above: Murdock Athol and Oakmont faceoff. Below: Murdock Athol skaters take itdown the ice.
MURDOCK SPORTSSCHEDULE
Wednesday, Jan. 7Ice Hockey at Lunenburg: 4 p.m.
MS Basketball @ Luna White: 3:30 p.m.Thursday, Jan. 8Boys Varsity/JV Basketball @ Hudson: 5:30
Girls Varsity/JV Basketball v Hudson: 5:30Saturday, Jan. 10Indoor Track Winter Festival @ Reggie
Lewis Athletic Center, Boston: 9 a.m.Ice Hockey @ Hudson Catholic: 7 p.m.Monday, Jan. 12Ice Hockey v Nashoba: 6:30 p.m.
MS Basketball @ Narragansett: 3:30 p.m.Tuesday, Jan. 13Boys Varsity/JV Basketball v Narragansett:5:30 p.m.Girls Varsity/JV Basketball @Narragansett: 5:30 p.m.MS Basketball v Bromfeld: 3:30 p.m.
NOTE; Home Ice Hockey games are played atthe Winchendon School Rink
WINCHENDON COURIER10 Wednesday, January 7, 2009
EarthTalkTM: From the Editors of E/The Environmental MagazineDear EarthTalk: With all the
talk of rising seas, what could hap-pen to the rivers that flow into theoceans? Will they reverse flow? Willrising seas back up into fresh waterlakes? And what happens to ourgroundwater should saltwater flowbackwards into it? -- Sandy Smith,concerned Michigander
The intrusion of saltwater fromthe sea into rivers and groundwateris a serious issue, but the threat isnot from a reversal of flow, and ourfar inland lakes and rivers are notexpected to be directly affected bythe salty water of our oceans.However, the sensitive areas aroundthe edges of our continents, wherefresh water meets salt water, are atrisk, and greater efforts must betaken to protect them. Some 40 per-cent of world population lives lessthan 40 miles (60 kilometers) fromthe shoreline.
According to theIntergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC), global aver-age sea levels should rise eight to 34inches by the year 2100, a muchfaster pace than the four to 10 inchincrease of the past century. Seasrise because of higher global tem-peratures, melting mountain gla-ciers and polar ice caps, and otherfactors. Higher temperatures alsocause thermal expansion of oceanwater, intensifying the problem.
Rising sea levels cause majorproblems as they erode and floodcoastlines and, yes, as they mix saltwater with fresh. A November 2007article in ScienceDaily posited thatcoastal communities could face sig-nificant losses in fresh water sup-plies as saltwater intrudes inland.And whereas it had been previouslyassumed that salty water could onlyintrude underground as far as it didabove ground, new studies showthat in some cases salt water can go50 percent further inland under-ground than it does above ground.
Salty water invading groundwa-ter can reach not only residentialwater supplies but intakes for agri-cultural irrigation and industrialuses, as well. Economic effectsinclude loss of coastal fisheries andother industries, coastal protectioncosts, and the loss of once-valuablecoastal property as people moveinland.
Estuaries at the mouths of rivershave in the past handled risingocean levels. Sediment that accumu-
lates along the edge of an estuarycan raise the level of the land as thesea levels rise. And mangroveswamps, which buffer many acoastal zone around the world, flour-ish in brackish conditions. Butbecause of our preference for livingin coastal areas, and our habit of re-engineering our surroundingsaccordingly, humans make mattersworse by preventing naturalprocesses from managing thechange. On the coast, we build roadsand buildings, and replace naturalbuffers like mangrove swamps withdikes and bulkheads to controlflooding, which make the problemworse by preventing beach sedimentfrom collecting. And as we damrivers and create reservoirs, we trapthe sediment that would naturallyflow down to the sea.
In some places, changes are hap-pening. Governments are beginningto restrict or prohibit building insetback zones along the coast whererisk of erosion is the greatest. Anewer policy of “rolling easements”is also being tried, where developersare allowed to build in restrictedzones but will be required to removethe structures if and when theybecome threatened by erosion. TheIPCC recommends more drasticactions, such as creating moremarshes and wetlands as buffersagainst the rising level of the sea,and migrating populations andindustry away from coastlines alto-gether.
CONTACTS: IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change,www.ipcc.ch.
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL
QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk,c/o E/The EnvironmentalMagazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport,CT 06881; submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail:[email protected]. Readpast columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
EarthTalkTMFrom the Editors of E/The
Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Is it better todrive an older, well-maintained carthat gets about 25 miles per gallon,or to buy a new car that gets about 35miles per gallon? -- EdwardPeabody, via e-mail
It definitely makes more sensefrom a green perspective to keepyour old car running and well-main-tained as long as you can—especial-ly if it’s getting such good mileage.There are significant environmen-tal costs to both manufacturing anew automobile and adding your oldcar to the ever-growing collectivejunk heap.
A 2004 analysis by Toyota foundthat as much as 28 percent of thecarbon dioxide emissions generatedduring the lifecycle of a typicalgasoline-powered car can occur dur-ing its manufacture and its trans-portation to the dealer; the remain-ing emissions occur during drivingonce its new owner takes posses-sion. An earlier study by SeikeiUniversity in Japan put the pre-pur-chase number at 12 percent.
Regardless of which conclusion iscloser to the truth, your current car
has already passed its manufactureand transport stage, so going for-ward the relevant comparison hasonly to do with its remaining foot-print against that of a new car’smanufacture/transport and driver’sfootprint—not to mention the envi-ronmental impact of either dispos-ing of your old car or selling it to anew owner who will continue todrive it. There are environmentalimpacts, too, even if your old car isjunked, dismantled and sold forparts.
And don’t forget that the newhybrids — despite lower emissionsand better gas mileage — actuallyhave a much larger environmentalimpact in their manufacture, com-pared to non-hybrids. The batteriesthat store energy for the drive trainare no friend to the environment—and having two engines under onehood increases manufacturingemissions. And all-electric vehiclesare only emission-free if the outletproviding the juice is connected to arenewable energy source, not a coal-burning power plant, as is morelikely.
If you want to assess your currentcar’s fuel efficiency or emissions,there are many services availableonline. The government websiteFuelEconomy.gov provides fuel effi-ciency stats for hundreds of differ-ent vehicles dating back to 1985.Websites TrackYourGasMileage.com and MPGTune.com can helpyou track your mileage and provideongoing tips to improve fuel effi-ciency for your specific make andmodel vehicle. MyMileMarker.comtakes it a step further, making pro-
jections about annual mileage, fuelcosts and fuel efficiency based onyour driving habits. If you have aniPhone, you can keep track of yourcar’s carbon footprint with the new“Greenmeter App” from HunterResearch and Technologies. Theprogram uses numerous variablesto make its calculations on-the-go asyou drive, including weather condi-tions, cost of fuel, vehicle weight,and more.
If you simply must change yourvehicle, be it for fuel efficiency orany other reason, one option is tosimply buy a used car that gets bet-ter gas mileage than your existingone. There’s much to be said, frommany environmental vantagepoints, about postponing replace-ment purchases—of anything, notjust cars—to keep what’s alreadymade out of the waste stream and todelay the additional environmentalcosts of making something new.
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTALQUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk,c/o E/The Environmental Magazine,P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881;submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail:[email protected]. Readpast columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
projected spending, the Governormust act to ensure that the budg-et is brought into balance. Hedoes so by cutting expenditures,and Kreidler predicts a 10 percentcut for the present budget, and upto 20 percent in the new fiscalyear.
“Things are ugly on MainStreet,” said Kreidler.
School Committee ChairmanMichael Niles revealed what helooked forward to in 2009.
“Can anyone tell me where theline forms for the bailouts? Allkidding aside, this will be a chal-lenging year for the WinchendonPublic Schools. My hope for 2009is that education remains heldharmless from pending cuts. Thisdistrict cannot possibly sustainfurther cuts than have alreadybeen witnessed over the past sev-eral years.”
So what can the US look for-ward to in 2009 after escaping thecredit crisis, gas prices, deregu-lated bottomed-out markets andlack of direction in 2008? Someexperts say it could still get worsebefore it gets better.
But look at the deals businessesare offering to attract customers.The price at the gas pump hasgiven consumers wiggle room tospend on other needs.
There are many things to lookforward to in Winchendon thisyear. On Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at theAmerican Legion there will be awake for Matty O’Malley. Onemight think it would be a solemn
occasion, but it is instead achance for neighbors, to gatherfor comedy, dancing and food, andto contribute to a goodcause…keeping athletics alive inWinchendon. The Wake of MattyO’Malley is a Dillstar Production,and follows last year’s jam packedhilarious Joey and Maria’sItalian Wedding. Call To Each HisOwn Design to find out if thereare any tickets left.
There will be winter sports,cribbage tournaments, and ahigh school musical (Annie) toget Toy Town through the coldwinter months.
Winchendon can look forwardto a bike path working towardscompletion, a garden growingoverlooking the Millers River onFront Street, a children’s gardenon the Murdock Farm, a thrivingsenior center, a graduating classstepping out into the world tomake it a better place, and a yearfilled with ingenuity to make it allwork even if the dollars aren’tthere to help.
Writer G. K. Chesterton, oncecalled the prince of paradox said,“ The object of a new year is notthat we should have a new year. Itis that we should have a newsoul.”
The year 2009 will test thestrength of every Winchendonsoul and find a history ofresilience and resourcefulnesskey to survival.
The Courier wishes everyone ahealthy and prosperous NewYear.
2009 continued from page 1
against a wall and said, “We’re oldenough to do this.”
The victim also disclosed thatGrovo rubbed his private partsagainst her bare skin.
According to the court record, cam-eras in the school were operating atthe time of the alleged assault, andthe assault was caught on tape, cor-roborating what the victim revealedin the SAIN interview.
Police were busy throughout thetown, but maintained an hourlycheck-in at the shelter.
Grovo, currently unemployed, is aresident of the Center for Health andDevelopment located on 14 ReadyDrive. The private nonprofit agencywas started as a mission of supportfor the unserved and under-servedindividuals of Massachusetts; indi-viduals inflicted with severe and per-sistent mental illness.
According to their website, TheCenter for Health and Development,
Inc. (CHD), is a Boston-based nonprof-it organization established in 1987 toprovide mental health services andrelated supports to unserved andunderserved people of color whoreside in the city's Roxbury,Mattapan, Dorchester and South Endneighborhoods.
Since 1987, CHD has grown andexpanded its base to include addition-al geographical areas of theCommonwealth, including the citiesand towns of Fitchburg,Framingham, Leominster, Quincy,Wakefield, Weymouth, andWinchendon.
The CHD sent clients to the shelterin the care of a worker who signed inat the table set up for intake. Therehas been no response as yet from CHDas to their protocol in situationswhere clients seek shelter.
A call to the Winchendon HousingAuthority has yet to be answered
Grovo said he knew the victimbecause they both attended TheCornerstone Church in Winchendon.
It was reported the suspect called
his mother and stated, “I got arrestedfor almost touching little baby. I justwanted to tell you I love you. I’m goingto the Worcester jail. There will be nobail.”
According to court records, Grovowas born in Nashua, NH and has ahistory of violent offenses. He has adefault on his record, and prior viola-tions of probation. Bail was orderedbecause of the nature of the circum-stance and offense, the potentialpenalty the defendant faces, Grovo’sfinancial resources and employmentrecord, his reputation and length ofresidence in the Commonwealth, hisrecord of convictions, and his failureto appear at previous proceedings.
Town Manager James Kreidlersaid, “If the incident occurred, myheart goes out to the child and herfamily. That said…I am confident ineverything we did to respond to thissituation.”
Grovo is scheduled to return toWinchendon District Court on Jan. 27for a pretrial hearing.
ASSAULT continued from page 1
payment of taxes is between the towntreasurer and the business owner. Hesaid he did not hear there was anagreement, and it could not be pro-duced in writing for the meeting.
“My feeling was, and I told him so, ”said Gould, “ He has a 90 day review.Bear something in mind, he’s wrong.Why should I pay my taxes whensomebody else doesn’t pay theirs? Iagree. By the same token strip him of
his license, we lose a business, andyou are not going to get anything.”
Kreidler said his prospective onthat point was that the business hadtwo years and the owner promised tomake payments but “never showedhis face.”
Gould said he had not beeninformed of the bond or the taxes inarrears. He said he has warned thebusiness owner that if he doesn’t pay,he will take the license “right off thewall.”
The board agreed on a 90-dayreview of the business, and that the
bond be delivered before the license isgranted.
Hunt demanded that the agreementwith the business be committed towriting.
Gould said the board has nothing tosay about the payment of taxes.
“That agreement is between thetown treasurer and the owner,” hesaid. “It’s up to her to let us know ifthe agreement is not enforced.”
The board voted unanimously tocondition the license, and granted allothers.
LICENSEScontinued from page A1
Doneen Durling photo
Ken LaBrack holds up a 10 plus pound lob-ster won by a lucky couple that chose toleave the American Legion’s recent Lobsterchallenge to celebrate their anniversary.Hopefully they made it back to put the lob-ster in a pot and enjoy.
DONATIONMADE
LEGION LOBSTER
Doneen Durling photo
Lynn Bessette, owner of the SilverHawk on Route 12, donated proceedsfrom her Christmas raffle to the LCOReservation in Wisconsin for food andtoys.
WINCHENDON COURIER 11Wednesday, January 7, 2009
FOR RENT
WINCHENDONRooms for rent. Located in
downtown Winchendon. Heatand hot water included. $110per week. (978) 424-3396. 1.7
WINCHENDONTwo bedrooms on first
floor. Newly renovated, heatand hot water included pluswasher and dryer hookups.Stove and refrigerator. (4825.Call (978) 386-5662. 1.7
WINCHENDONBeautiful 3 BR Apartment
in a Spacious Victorian Renovated 6 room 2/3 bed-
room, apartment in a grandVictorian close to downtownWinchendon. New kitchen,large, bright rooms through-out. Beautiful hardwoodmaple floors and built-ins.Very cozy place. Steam/oilheat. $850 Utilities not includ-ed. Call 617-590-7771 to sched-ule a viewing. Available Dec.1. 12-24
FOUR ROOMTwo bedroom apartment,
second floor in Winchendon.De-leaded, plenty of parking,good neighborhood, inexpen-sive heat. Walking distance todowntown. $600 a month, firstand last. (978) 375-0914. 1-31
TWO ROOMOffice suite available for
rent. Convenient locationacross from WinchendonTown Hall. Call (978) 297-0945
HELP WANTED
GYMNASTIC INSTRUC-TOR
Looking for a full time,salaried Gymnastics positionwith great benefits? TheClark Memorial YMCA islooking for the right person tolead this exciting and grow-ing program. A detailed jobdescription is available onour website atwww.theclark.com Sendresumes to: Brian J. DuBois,Executive Director, ClarkMemorial YMCA, 155 CentralSt., Winchendon, MA [email protected]
Lifeguards & SwimInstructors Wanted
The Clark Memorial YMCAin Winchendon is currentlyhiring Certified SwimInstructors and Lifeguards.For more information, pleasecontact Jen Farrell, AquaticsDirector, at the ClarkMemorial YMCA: (978) 297-9622. Job applications avail-able on-line atwww.theclark.com.
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for our team. Enjoy workingpart-time from home creatingreliable residual income. Areal business that real peoplereally love. No selling, inven-tory or risk. Not an MLM.Perfect for at-home moms,professionals, retirees andnon-profits. Everyone Wins!
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FOR SALE
FIREWOODCut, Split & Delivered.
Seasoned $265/cord. Lastyear’s oak and maple. 603)899-6288, local delivery. TFN
for jobs big and small. Rakeleaves, stack wood, paint,clean…what have you.Contact Ed through theCourier office: (978) 297-0050 x100. TFN
WANTED
BUYINGBuying gold and silver, bro-
ken jewelry, obsolete, silvercoins from 1964 and down,paying top prices. Call 9978)297-4545 until 3 p.m. After 3call (978) 297-9867. Open everynight 4-8 p.m. or by appoint-ment. Ask for Larry. Also
By virtue and in execution of the Powerof Sale contained in a certain mortgagegiven by Christine M. Belair and Stephen R.Lowe to Mortgage Electronic RegistrationSystems, Inc., dated September 13, 2004and recorded with the Worcester County(Worcester District) Registry of Deeds atBook 34623, Page 91, of which mortgageWells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the present holder,for breach of the conditions of said mortgageand for the purpose of foreclosing, the samewill be sold at Public Auction at 2:00 p.m. onJanuary 30, 2009, on the mortgaged premis-es located at 79 East Street, Winchendon,Worcester County, Massachusetts, all andsingular the premises described in said mort-gage,TO WIT:A certain parcel of land in said Winchendon,with the buildings thereon, and bounded anddescribed as follows, to wit:COMMENCING on the southerly line of EastStreet at a corner of land formerly of HiramDerby;
THENCE, Easterly on line of said EastStreet, one hundred twenty-nine (129) feet toa corner at land formerly of William A.McMillian;THENCE, Southerly on line of said McMillianland to a corner at land now or formerly ofDavid B. Locke;THENCE, Westerly on line of said Lockeland, land now or formerly of BemardFeldman and land formerly owned or occu-pied by Charles W. Plummer one hundredtwenty-four and one-half (124 1/2) feet to acorner at land now or formerly of said HiramDerby;THENCE, Northerly on line of said Derbyland eighty-six (86) feet, more or less, to theplace of beginning.Also conveying the right to lay and maintain awater pipe from the town main on NorthStreet through the 'Morse' estate, so-callednow or formerly of Bernard Feldman, to theabove described premises.Reserving the right which any party has tolay and maintain a water pipe over the west-erly part of said premises.Being the same premises conveyed to the
mortgagors by a deed from Wayne B. Farrelland Patricia A. Farrell dated June 11, 2003and recorded in the Worcester DistrictRegistry of Deeds in Book 26891, Page 244.
For mortgagor's(s') title see deed record-ed with Worcester County (WorcesterDistrict) Registry of Deeds in Book 26891,Page 244.
These premises will be sold and con-veyed subject to and with the benefit of allrights, rights of way, restrictions, easements,covenants, liens or claims in the nature ofliens, improvements, public assessments,any and all unpaid taxes, tax titles, tax liens,water and sewer liens and any other munici-pal assessments or liens or existing encum-brances of record which are in force and areapplicable, having priority over said mort-gage, whether or not reference to suchrestrictions, easements, improvements, liensor encumbrances is made in the deed.TERMS OF SALE:
A deposit of Five Thousand ($5,000.00 )Dollars by certified or bank check will berequired to be paid by the purchaser at thetime and place of sale. The balance is to be
paid by certified or bank check at HarmonLaw Offices, P.C., 150 California Street,Newton, Massachusetts 02458, or by mail toP.O. Box 610389, Newton Highlands,Massachusetts 02461-0389, within thirty (30)days from the date of sale. Deed will be pro-vided to purchaser for recording upon receiptin full of the purchase price. The descriptionof the premises contained in said mortgageshall control in the event of an error in thispublication.
Other terms, if any, to be announced atthe sale.
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.Present holder of said mortgage
By its Attorneys,HARMON LAW OFFICES, P.C.
150 California StreetNewton, MA 02458
(617) 558-0500200809-1428 - BLU
January 7, 2009January 14, 2009January 21, 2009
LEGALS
Ruth DeAmicis photo
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Winchendon enjoyed a Christmas party at the CarriageHouse Restaurant.
Ruth DeAmicis photo
Members of the Winchendon Lions Club held a holiday party at Santino’s Italian Trattoria.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS!
WINCHENDON COURIER12 Wednesday, January 7, 2009
DoneenDurling photosAn auction for Mark
Lion Ed Gandy surveys the wares available at the auction
Douglas Stone was teased unmercifully by Dick Ferucci, who rec-ommended a number of items Stone should purchase.
Lion Danielle Desmarais helped herfather’s campaign by buying the Lordof the Rings book and movies.
Extra tables had to be set up for the overflow crowd thatenjoyed a spaghetti supper before the auction.
Two little girls demonstrate just how com-fortable the Adirondack chairs made byLion David Garfield were before they wereauctioned.
Dick and Nancy Gordon joined the good natured teasing during theevent at the American Legion Saturday night.
The crowd laughs along with Lions Larry Amburgey, David Garfield, Bruce LaPointe, Doug Stone andCurt Fitzmaurice.
Lion Mark Desmarais introduces past District Governor Richard Ferucci, who served as the auctioneer forthe evening. The fund raiser was for Desmarais, who is running for Vice District Governor of the Lions inthe coming year. The meal and auction raised more than $4,000 for his campaign.
Lion Doug Stone displays an authentic BostonCeltics jacket.
Lion Bruce LaPointe holds up movies and the fullLord of the Rings trilogy novel for bidding. A largecollection of LOTR items was part of the auction.
Lion President Curt Fitzmaurice holds up an antique Mickey Mouse doll, one of several valuable items auctioned.
This little girl was thrilled to garner the Bug’s Lifelamp for her room.
Grandfather David Garfield will probably get a lot ofpopcorn since his granddaughter managed to out-bid others for the popcorn maker.
Auctioneer Dick Ferucci managed tosell a variety of items with his wit andteasing.
