Community Advocate May 1, 2020

Mom, daughter, ‘Friends’ celebrate birthday in quarantine page

Westborough’s Earth Day volunteers participate in clean-up

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Vol. 46 | No. 18 | May 1, 2020

Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton

Rotary construction proceeds for now

Right: The Young family: (l to r) Julie; Matt, 17; Ryan, 15; Chris; and their dog Potter Below: The Taylor family: (back, l to r) Evan; Cait; (front, l to r) Nolan, 7; and Kiley, 5

SY E HENNES KATHERIN PHOTOS/

Hudson project continues in COVID-19’s shadow

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer HUDSON - After four years of waiting, the start of construction on Hudson’s redesigned downtown rotary has hardly been the moment of triumph town officials once expected.

That’s because, since crews first arrived in town, COVID-19 has loomed, threatening to send them home due to a regulatory quagmire its created.

“It’s been weighing on all of us,” Assistant Planning Director Kristina Johnson said. “Do we keep it going?

Do we stop it?”

The project itself kicked off in 2016 when a traffic study coupled with public input sessions revealed the 23,000 cars speeding daily through the area created hazardous conditions for the pedestrians Hudson’s booming downtown business district draws.

Hudson rotary | 9

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Happy trails Chestnut Hill Farm will be reopening trails to the public for passive recreational use

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2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

COMMUNITYNEWS Shrewsbury Fire Department adapts to COVID-19 pandemic

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY – As of April 17, the town of Shrewsbury had reported 105 positive cases of COVID-19. The Fire Department was directly affected, as a Shrewsbury firefighter tested positive for coronavirus. He has since returned to work having adhered to CDC guidelines.

Fire Chief Jim Vuona shared that the rest of the department, including himself, were tested and all results had come back negative.

To accommodate the current situation, the department has made some necessary changes.

“We reassigned some personnel,” Vuona explained.

“When we received our big grant to add personnel we had three firefighters over at

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Every time the guys come in to work they have their temperature taken and they fill out a form to check for symptoms and at the end of their shift they do the same thing. ­— Jim Vuona Shrewsbury Fire Chief Station 2….We reduced that down to two and we moved the third person over to Station 3 on Centech Boulevard.”

Station 2 is where the ambulance is housed, so this change was intended to reduce contact between the ambulance personnel and

the firefighters and to bolster the staffing at Station 3 because of a mutual aid relationship with Westborough and Northborough.

Shrewsbury does not have its own ambulance. Their one ambulance is provided on a contract basis through

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Worcester EMS. As such, the town benefits from Northborough and Westborough’s ambulance capabilities when Shrewsbury’s ambulance is out on another call.

T h e y, i n t u r n , b e n efit from assistance from Shrewsbury when there is a fire and Shrewsbury can respond more effectively with the additional person at Station 3 which is closer to those two communities.

“Honestly, it’s great working with the chiefs from Westborough and Northborough,” Vuona said. “We stay in touch all the time and we back each other up. I can’t say enough about the cooperation with those communities.”

Other changes include reducing personal contact at Headquarters by having the chief and deputy chief alternate weeks working from home. This mirrors what the town has been doing, having two administrative shifts.

Vuona has also shifted his mechanic, who is also

in charge of purchasing and ordering PPE and decontamination equipment, to the day shift exclusively.

“All the stations are disinfected at least twice a week and the trucks are decontaminated as needed,” he added.

When asked how their PPE supply is, Vuona said: “We are in good shape for now. We had some stockpiled that the town had put away for SARS and other pandemics…some of the equipment is older but still in good condition.”

“Overall we are in pretty good shape.” he reported.

“We are doing all that the CDC advises. Every time the guys come in to work they have their temperature taken and they fill out a form to check for symptoms and at the end of their shift they do the same thing.”

Vuona urged all residents to continue following the official guidelines and acknowledged all the restaurants in town that have provided food for the department.

Westborough ATM tentatively scheduled for May 21 WESTBOROUGH – Town Moderator John Arnold released a statement notifying residents that the Annual Town Meeting will now be tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 21. The meeting originally was scheduled for March 28 and then moved to April 25 due to the pandemic.

“This declaration provides notice to the Town of Westborough that I have determined that it is in the public’s interest, due to the continued public health and safety risks posed by COVID-19, to recess and continue the Annual Town Meeting to Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Westborough High School Gymnasium and Auditorium,” Arnold said in a statement. “This is the Annual Town Meeting with a warrant posted for the originally scheduled date of March 28, 2020.”

“At this time, G.L. c. 39, §10A does not allow a postponement beyond 30 days so I am postponing as far into the future as the law allows without interfering with the Town’s Memorial Day weekend activities.

Postponing the meeting to a Thursday evening is not an ideal solution. However, the current situation indicates that another postponement may be required,” he added. “This postponement to May 21 allows a subsequent postponement to Saturday, June 20 if that becomes necessary.”

For more information contact Arnold at Moderator@town.westborough.ma.us or call the Town Manager’s office 508-366-3030.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 3

We want your photos! ph

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Introducing the Community Advocate Photo Contest!

Many masks... one mission Now that Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the Stay at Home advisory until Monday, May 18, wearing masks in public will be more important than ever. As local businesspeople anticipate an extended period of social distancing, each profession will need to decide how to adapt.

But through it all, we need to remember that each person has a responsibility to curb the spread and masks are an important part of keeping each other and those who are most vulnerable safe.

We know its been difficult for many in this era of stay at home mandates and social distancing. For the next few weeks, we are asking you to send us your photos to share how you are coping during this trying time. They can be of your kids, other relatives or even your furry family members. Photos can be funny, heartwarming or inspirational.

(All photos will be posted online, some will be put in print as space allows and if you are chosen for the cover, you win $50!)

To enter the photo contest, email your submitted photo along with your name, phone number and description of the photo to news@communityadvocate.com.

All photos must be submitted by individuals 16 and over. The photo must be your own work and submitted as a high resolution JPEG. Help cheer up your fellow readers and show us what you’ve got!

Un-Cork’d Ryan Maloney, owner

Letters to the Editor

Letters must be signed with name and address and include a telephone number for verification. The editor reserves the right to reject letters on the basis of length, libelous content and suitability. Letters under 350 words will not be edited for length. Longer letters may be edited, depending on space constraints. Deadline is Monday noon for same week publication. The Community Advocate will not knowingly publish letters that have been printed in any other newspaper. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily those of The Community Advocate or its advertisers.

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The Judgment of Paris

n May of 1976, a famous competition between French and Californian wineries was held in Paris. This Paris Wine Tasting, often referred to as the Judgement of Paris, had far-reaching effects on the development of New World winemaking. Until this blind tasting of wine pours took place, France had enjoyed an unrivaled reputation for producing the best wines. Unidentified white and red wines from California and France were rated by a panel of judges. When the results were tabulated, the French were shocked to discover that both the white and the red categories had been won by a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California. This historic tasting illustrated that New World wineries were capable of producing topquality wines.

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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

Northborough senior earns Stars & Stripes Award Submitted by Lynn Somers Coordinator, AHG Troop MA 0716

ents have completed a number of requirements to achieve this honor, including earning a 16 NORTHBOROUGH – AlgonMerit Badges; holding a leadquin Regional High School ership position in their troop oncepts Senior Kaley Somers of Northfor a minimum of six months; al Group borough has earned the Stars planning, developing and pro& Stripes Award - the highest viding leadership to others in a recognition of the American 100-plus hour service project; Revised Heritage Girls (AHG). In adwriting a Life Ambition/ Spiridition to living out the AHG tual Walk Essay and resume; DENTAL Creed and Oath, award recipireceiving at least three letters

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A member of Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Troop MA 0716, Somers is the first girl in her troop, 626th girl nationally, and the second girl in the state to earn the prestigious Stars &

Stripes Award.

Somers, the daughter of Jeffrey and Lynn Somers of Northborough, will be recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony this summer.

Somers is a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Northborough as well as the pianist for its Contemporary Choir. She is active in Steering Community, Drama Club, Color Guard and National Honor Society at Algonquin Regional High School.

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GRAFTON – Lava and Hina have been virtually inseparable since Melissa Durfee adopted them from the Kauai Humane Society when she was in Hawaii on a work trip in December 2017.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 5

Chestnut Hill Farm to reopen trails SOUTHBOROUGH - At the Board of Selectmen meeting April 21, 2020, Chairman Brian Shea announced that Chestnut Hill Farm will be reopening the trails to the public for passive recreational use starting Arpil 24. This comes after the Trustees of the Reservation closed Chestnut Hill Farm trails as part of a larger closure of properties around the commonwealth that they manage, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Charlie Baker’s order on stay-at-home for non-essential services and social distancing.

“The Covid-19 situation presented a unique challenge to the Chestnut Hill property”, said Shea, “and the Board is thrilled that we have been able to work cooperatively with the Trustees to develop a plan that considers safety and protection of health to the farm operations, but also allows for passive recreation consistent with the conservation restriction, and also with guidelines in the Governor’s Executive Order.

The Board urges all to be aware of signage that will be in place, and to be respectful of our town citizen volunteers that will be on site to offer guidance.

We’re confident that all who will be using the trails will do so with adherence to physical Free dementia support group goes virtual HUDSON - Artisan at Hudson, a SageLife community, has moved its popular Dementia Support Group online. The group is free and open to the public.

“Helping to care for someone with dementia can be challenging and exhausting,” said Michelle Jones, Connections Memory Care Director at the Artisan at Hudson. “A support group can give you the resources you need to reduce stress and learn to take care of your own needs, too.”

Interested caregivers are welcome to participate in the group virtually. They will receive support in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Upcoming support group meetings are scheduled for Monday, May 11 and Monday, May 25, from 1 to 2 p.m.

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The trails at Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough

distancing protocols that have become our new norm.”

Both the town and the Trustees have agreed to a plan to allow residents to use the trails for passive recreation, while maintaining the required social distancing. The Trustees will be adding additional roping and signage to keep residents out of active farming Trails | 7

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6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

Historic Northborough home is ‘gone but not forgotten’ 156 Pleasant Street, Northborough

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NORTHBOROUGH – By 1890, Walter Allen had acquired the entire historic 156 Pleasant St. property. It appears he never married. An atlas of Worcester County reviews Walter’s farm. It was called “Maple Farm” and contained 30 acres.

It produced milk, small fruit and vegetables. The property contained a farmhouse, three barns, and a good source for water. Walter was also an assessor for the town.

Upon his death, the property was left to his sister, Harriet, who owned it until her death.

Upon the death of Harriet, the land became the property of another brother’s son. Their brother George Allen (who was a Civil War Veteran) had married and moved to Kansas.

Upon the early death of his wife, George moved back to Northborough with his young family in 1899.

Eventually, George’s son, Harry, bought the farm. Harry Allen graduated from the Massachusetts Agricultural College with a BS degree in 1897, so was well educated regarding agriculture. He was also involved with town committees, including acting as the secretary of the public safety Committee during WWI and was Town Clerk for 35 years.

It is well known that he conducted much of his Town Clerk business in the front room of the house. As a farmer he grew asparagus and strawberries.

He passed away in 1955. The farm was divided and left to his surviving brothers and sisters.

His sister Mary Allen was left the house and 17 acres of

land. She had several large barns torn down. It was said that some of the large beams were used by Henry Ford during restoration of the Wayside Inn in Sudbury. Mary was known to be a wonderful woman and a friend to many. The property including a house, barn and some 23 acres of land was sold to Sandy and Betty Russell in 1967. This ended the roughly 250 years of the property being used for farming and associated with the Fay family name.

When Sandy and Betty Russell moved in, the property had had very little restoration work done for many years except for some painting. Although they wanted to preserve as much of the antique as possible, it was clear that a new kitchen, bathrooms and a heating system were required. Betty was a long standing member of the Historical Society. Sandy was a charter president of the Northborough Rotary Club. He was also a founding member of Northcourt Swim and Tennis Club in Northborough. He

served in the Navy and Naval Reserve from 1953 to 1986.

Sandy passed away in 2017.

Betty sold the now 4 acre property for $575,000 in the spring of 2018. She passed

away in 2019.

The new owners saw an opportunity to divide the property into four single family house lots that required the demolition of the original 1738

house and barn. Demolition occurred in December of 2019.

It is important to know that only property owners can save antique homes from demolition. The key is to educate owners of antiques about the value of long term protection for their home. The challenge today is that many home buyers are uninterested in purchasing properties needing restoration and upgrades, they desire move-in conditions.

This makes old properties with significant acreage attractive to property developers. Although not considered in this situation, there are many examples throughout Northborough where new construction is built around an antique. Hopefully we will see more of this approach in the future.

Part one of this article was in the Feb. 28, 2020 issue of the Community Advocate.

WRTA awarded $5 million in federal funding Through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act REGION – On April 21, U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), chair of the House Rules Committee, alongside Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Administrator Dennis Lipka announced that the WRTA has been awarded a $5 million grant in federal funding to support operations during the coronavirus crisis.

The funding, which Congress approved on March 27, was authorized through the CARES Act and provides a total of $25 billion to urban and rural transit agencies to help to prevent, prepare for, and continue to provide

service during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be provided at a 100-percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

“The WRTA is a lifeline for so many people here in Worcester County – including essential workers who we are all relying on right now,” McGovern said. “I’m glad that these funds are grants are being distributed, but there is much more work to be done, and I will continue to fight to make sure that future relief

packages help my constituents here in Massachusetts.”

“The CARES ACT grant funds will make it possible for the WRTA to provide the equipment, supplies and staff necessary to keep in place the transportation options needed by many residents of Central Massachusetts during this pandemic and beyond,” said WRTA Administrator Dennis Lipka. “The funds will allow us to us make sure that the array of WRTA transportation services will continue to be available to the community as an important, reliable, and safe option for travel for the people of central Massachusetts.”

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 7

Addiction communities wary of long term COVID-19 impacts

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer REGION - Lisa and Doug Aylaian say their cell phones have recently been ringing more often than normal.

They’re peer facilitators for a Hudson branch of the Learn to Cope support group, which works with families of people struggling with addiction. And many of those calls, they say, are from overwhelmed group members.

As confusion and anxiety hits all in the era of coronavirus, this already at-risk community, after all, is feeling an increased strain that, some say, may reshape it for years to come.

“There are a lot of roadblocks to begin with in this disease,” Lisa said. “Now, there are just more of them.”

As society locks down, she and her husband are quick to note that thousands of people across the commonwealth remain addicted to substances.

That has posed a unique challenge to the web of family and advocates committed to fighting the drug crisis that killed more than 2,200 people just last year in Massachusetts alone. That challenge is -- provide treatment in a landscape afraid to literally and proverbially even open the front door.

“That’s so tough,” Lisa said.

Perhaps most prominent in this new phase in the addiction fight, the Aylaians say, has been the amended process of involuntarily committing loved ones to treatment.

In normal times, a concerned family member or public official first goes to court to file a written petition detailing the condition of the person in question.

[People with addictions] struggle dayto-day. If they don’t get something today, then they will use tonight, or they will use it tomorrow. It’s extremely dangerous. ­— Doug Aylaian

A judge can then call a hearing and may issue a warrant for police to personally bring a person to court.

Once in court, the hearing proceeds, often with attorneys present, to determine whether the state should send the person involuntarily to one of at least six treatment facilities across Massachusetts.

These days, though, courts are closed. And while civil commitments proceed, they do so through remote means that few are familiar with.

That confusion, Doug Aylaian says, has made some reluctant to have loved ones committed when they might otherwise be willing.

“When you’re living with this disease,” he said, “to do one more thing sometimes feels so overwhelming.”

The challenges don’t end at court, however. Those with loved ones who consent to treatment, advocates say, are finding closed doors and hearing cascades of “no.”

“We are pushing for our families to stand up strong, saying ‘you need to find a bed,’” Lisa said. “But it’s hard because there are not a lot of places right now admitting new patients.”

That pushing, in turn, is happening in abbreviated support group settings that, Lisa and Doug worry, are not providing the same service they normally do.

Learn to Cope has switched its weekly meetings to online, video conference formats. Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous groups across the region have followed suit. So has Marlborough’s Kathy Leonard, who runs a grief support group for families whose loved ones pass away due to addiction, says she’s made the same switch.

It’s been hard.

“That support you get in person is far more beneficial than what you get over Zoom when you get just a screen and a voice,” Doug said.

Leonard, meanwhile, says she worries about the lack of physical contact. Hugs, she says, are a source of comfort at her meetings. Distanced, she worries her group members won’t be able to connect as they normally do.

Back at Learn to Cope, all this disruption, advocates fear, could be deadly, adding new names to the list of lives COVID-19 and its ripples claim. “[People with addictions]

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struggle day-to-day,” Doug said. “If they don’t get something today, then they will use tonight, or they will use it tomorrow. It’s extremely dangerous.”

Even as a black cloud gathers, though, Lisa, Doug, and Kathy Leonard have hope for the future.

Lisa and Doug specifically have their eyes on controversial regulations on halfway houses and sober homes that allow immediate evictions the first time residents miss payments. As COVID-19 exposes issues of housing insecurity,

they hope the state government extends to substance use patients some of the protections often afforded to other renters.

Leonard, meanwhile, says she hopes the mass mobilization of recourses and funding to fight COVID-19 shows advocates the true ability of their government, and generally emboldens the community to fight for the public health response she says is long overdue.

“When this ends,” she said, “I think you’re going to see a lot of people speaking out.”

Chestnut Hill Farm to reopen trails Trails | from page 5

areas and away from workers and animals. The parking lot will be open, and the town is asking that parking be limited to the lot only. No street parking will be allowed, and the street will be posted with “No Parking” signage, which will be strictly enforced. If the parking lot is full, the Board asks residents to come back to

use the trails at another time.

Also, residents are asked to adhere to any new and existing regulations regarding trail usage and note that there are no dogs allowed on the property.

Chestnut Hill Farm is also offering farm-fresh food for purchase and contact-less pick up via their online store. To place an order visit thetrustees. org/shares.

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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

Gift cards offer highlights for Thrive Support & Advocacy residents

Sawyer Brook Distinctive Fabrics support communities

Masks made by Sawyer Brook Distinctive Fabrics

Thrive Support & Advocacy residents enjoy a delicious meal, thanks to a kind donation.

MARLBOROUGH – The Thrive Support & Advocacy community residences have been enjoying take-out thanks to its “Sponsor a Meal” program. Those who would like to donate may simply purchase and mail a restaurant gift card to Thrive Support & Advocacy, 65 Boston Post Road West, Suite 220, Marlborough, MA 01752. The gift cards are then distributed to Thrive’s four residences to purchase a special lunch or dinner for the residents and staff.

“These meals have been a highlight for all during this crisis,” the organization noted on a recent Facebook post, as well “as a wonderful way to support our local restaurants.”

MARLBOROUGH - Sawyer Brook Distinctive Fabrics, located at 1031 Boston Post Rd. E, has collected roughly $1,500 in donations, through providing fabric face masks to local communities. These donations will be passed on in the name of Sawyer Brook primarily to the Worcester County Food Bank.

They continue to make fabric face masks with adjustable elastic in three sizes for anyone who needs them, in return for a donation.

They are not selling them.

The company has posted a video and pattern on their website for those who would like to make a mask. (www.sawyerbrook.com/ imagine-the-possibilities-april-2020) For more information contact the Sawyer Brook Customer Service department at 978- 368-3133 or service@sawyerbrook.com.

With time on his hands, Northborough man finishes dream project

John Ayotte recently finished this stone wall in front of his Northborough home.

NORTHBOROUGH – John Ayotte, who lives on South Street with his family in a nearly 200 year old home for the past 20 years, has always loved stone walls. As such, he had always wanted to build one in front of his home so for the past three years he has been collecting stones and rocks, not really knowing when he would have time to actually build it.

Then came the coronavirus pandemic and Ayotte, like so many others, found he suddently had free extra time. The result was a beautiful three section wall that is approximately 60 feet long.

“Because we are on a pretty main road, a lot of people have watched the progress and offered nice comments,” he said. “I would like to thank them for their support.”

“I also thought it would be inspiring to others who may find themselves as well with time on their hands,” he said. “Maybe they have a big project too that will help occupy their minds during these troubling times.”

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 9

Hudson rotary construction proceeds, for now, in COVID-19’s shadow

Westborough Office Space

Hudson rotary | from page 1

In response, leaders like Johnson commissioned a firm to redesign the rotary to include more pedestrian space and new measures to slow and otherwise manage vehicular traffic through the area.

After delays due mainly to the state’s denial of a grant application to fund the project, town officials finally piecemealed money together and allowed Bridgewater contractors Harding Construction Co. to begin work April 10.

“It’s the same project we’ve been contemplating all along,” Johnson explained, noting the timeline has simply drawn on due to those aforementioned funding woes.

If work runs uninterrupted, Johnson said, construction should wrap by early 2021. That, however, is where COVID-19 snarls things.

Gov. Charlie Baker has instituted strict guidelines on social distancing in and around construction sites.

Those, though, potentially conflicts with workplace safety guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that require “redundancy staffing” in some situations that don’t allow for social distances, like in trenches or while working in manholes.

It’s a touch and go situation. We’re just kind of seeing how things roll out. We’re seeing how it’s progressing. ­— Kristina Johnson Assistant Planning Director 24 Lyman Street

“Those [sets of guidelines] may not be complimentary,” Johnson said. “You may not be able to do both.”

Some have already raised alarm about construction in this climate. Last month, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh halted all work in his city over such fears. More recently, members of the region’s largest construction union walked off the job in protest of their work conditions amid COVID-19.

Back in Hudson though, construction was proceeding at the rotary as of April 21.

Crews had dug some ditches, but, Johnson said, most work had focused on surveying the area to prepare for further construction later on.

She said police and DPW leaders have been visiting the site at least once each week to monitor compliance with social distancing and OSHA guidelines. Those officials, as well as Hudson’s

public health director, all, she added, actually have the authority to halt construction immediately if they find crews are not navigating guidelines appropriately.

Ultimately, Johnson said town officials like her are concerned about the safety of workers should conditions at the construction site demand labor in close quarters. Emphasizing abilities to halt construction quickly, she notes the work is not an emergency project and thus would not carry dire consequences if stopped.

That being said, she said the town’s contractors are enthusiastic about remaining on the job and hope, like Johnson, the situation will allow for them to work uninterrupted through the year.

“It’s a touch and go situation,” she said, reflecting on it all. “We’re just kind of seeing how things roll out. We’re seeing how it’s progressing.”

Library’s seed exchange boosts morale in Southborough

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SOUTHBOROUGH – Although the Southborough Public Library is temporarily closed, the staff still found a way to let its patrons participate in a planned seed exchange – via a mail order service.

After the offer was made via the library’s e-newsletter, over

100 patrons signed up to get six different packets of seeds.

Library staff members then put together the orders to be mailed out.

The 1,300 total individual seed packets and the postage to mail them were paid for by the Friends of the Southbor-

ough Library.

Library director Ryan Donavan said the staff was inspired by the Victory Gardens which were popular during WWII. These gardens which had vegetables, fruits and/or herbs were planted by citizens as a way to boost morale during wartime.

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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

Care packages for Northborough veterans need donations

By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer NORTHBOROUGH – There have been a lot of changes in the last month due to the COVID-19 crisis. One thing that doesn’t change is the giving and generous spirit of residents, especially during challenging times. The founders of Boros Cares 4 Troops

Michelle Gillespie are the founding members of BC4T. They are currently collecting donations, items and cards for over 300 veterans living in Northborough, who are over the age of 70 and are in the age group that is particularly vulnerable to the virus.

Care packages will contain food, personal care essentials and other miscellaneous

(BC4T) are reaching out to the community for support of Northborough’s veterans.

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Gillespie said the challenge has been dealing with the supply chain and the availability of items needed.

The goal is for each veteran to receive a care package over the course of the next few months.

Another way to contribute is to create a card to be included in the care packages.

Cards thanking the veterans for their service or letting them know they are in your thoughts will help to brighten their day. The cards can be dropped off in the blue bin at the office of Michelle Gillespie Realtors at 10 Main St., Northborough (corner of Route 20 and Route 135).

Cards can also be mailed to BC4T, P.O. Box 304, Northborough, MA 01532.

“Making cards is a great project for kids,” said Gillespie.

BC4T Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity. Updated information can be found on Facebook @wearebc4t.

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items. Information on additional town resources or assistance available to them will also be included.

“The packages will be delivered to their home,” said Gillespie. “All safeguards will be taken including wiping down items and wearing gloves and masks.

There are three ways to assist the effort.

Make a monetary donation by logging on to www.BC4T. org and donate $25 or more to be used to purchase food and personal care items for the baskets. Donations can also be mailed to BC4T, P.O. Box 304, Northborough, MA 01532. Contact Karen Brewster at 774-258-0882 or email karen@bc4t.org with questions pertaining to monetary donations.

Shop for personal care items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, tissues, hand soap and hand wipes. For your convenience, if you purchase any of these items at the CVS located at 24 West Main St. in Northborough and mention BC4T, the store will hold the items aside for the effort. For questions or

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Barbara Diggs, of the First Federated Church of Hudson, hands out suppers.

Our Father’s Table continues work through pandemic REGION - Our Father’s Table, which is supported by many local churches, has continued its services throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The meals are usually set up and served inside the New Hope Church on Main Street in Marlborough.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 11

Mom, daughter, ‘Friends’ celebrate birthday in quarantine

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Contributing Writer MARLBOROUGH – The theme song of NBC-TV’s classic sitcom “Friends” proclaims, “I’ll be there for you, ‘cause you’re there for me, too.” When Amy Garcia celebrated her 49th birthday April 19 in quarantine at her Marlborough home, her daughter Maggie was there with a unique idea. Together, they watched 49 episodes of Garcia’s favorite television show, “Friends.”

Garcia noted, “It’s probably quite annoying to watch ‘Friends’ with me because I know all the episodes and lines so well – and Maggie is pretty good at it, too. I can honestly say that I had a great birthday in quarantine.”

A fondness for “Friends” spans three generations of this family. About 10 years ago, Garcia received a Christmas gift from her mother: the “Friends” DVD box set consisting of all 10 seasons’ 236 episodes, which were originally broadcast from 1994 to 2004. Maggie – now age 18 – began watching episodes with her mother and also became a “Friends” fan.

The DVDs gave Garcia an opportunity to see some episodes that she missed from the early seasons. More recently, she viewed its reruns via Netflix.

“I watched ‘Friends’ on regular TV when it was on

Maggie and Amy Garcia re-create the “Friends” opening credits scene at the show’s pop-up in Boston in December 2019

At the “Friends” pop-up in Boston in December 2019, Maggie and Amy Garcia recline in replica armchairs of the show’s guys’ apartment

Thursday nights for 10 years – but back then, if you missed it, you missed it,” she said of the pre-DVD era. “It’s a really wellwritten show. I fell in love with the characters and the way they interact with each other.

I can watch episodes over and over again because I relate to the characters.”

When “Friends” originally aired, Garcia was about the same age as its characters.

Also during that time period, she lived for a while in New York City, the show’s setting.

She most identifies with the character portrayed by actress Courtney Cox. “I relate to Monica the most,” Garcia shared. “She has control issues, likes to win and be the best at everything she does – and she gets very upset if she fails. Monica is a magnified part of my personality.

As you get older, you let go of some of those things; but I was definitely more like her when I was younger.”

G a rc i a b e l i e v e s t h a t “Friends” translates well for audiences of multiple generations.

“I sit with my daughter, watching episodes that she has seen before and she still laughs out loud,” Garcia recounted.

“The show is timeless.”

In December 2019, this mother and daughter attended a “Friends” pop-up presented in Boston in observance of the 25th anniversary of the show’s

premiere. The exhibit featured over 50 original props and replicas from the set, which attendees could use for photo ops. Among the Garcias’ souvenirs are photos of them armed with umbrellas and re-creating the show’s opening credits scene, peeking through the purple door of Monica’s apartment, reclining in the armchairs of the guy’s apartment, and pivoting between narrow stairwell landings while lugging a sofa.

M i d w a y t h ro u g h t h e “Friends”-viewing birthday marathon, Garcia was pleasantly surprised when three close friends drove by and honked their vehicles’ horns.

She joined them outdoors to share air hugs and converse with social distancing.

Another surprise for Garcia was the delivery of a birthday cake ordered by Maggie. The cake was decorated with contemporary frosting images: a bar of soap and toilet paper rolls.

It was no surprise, however, that Garcia enjoyed viewing 49 “Friends” episodes throughout her birthday and up to 2 a.m. the following morning.

“Even though I own the DVD set, I was very upset when ‘Friends’ was taken off Netflix,” she recalled. “If ‘Friends’ were still on Netflix, that’s what I would be watching while working from home in quarantine.”

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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

Cut trees cause concern at Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area A large amount of trees have been cut down at the Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area.

PHOTOS/NORTHBOROUGH CONSERVATION COMMISSION

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – Recently, residents have reported that a large number of trees have been cut down in the Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area in Northborough. It is a mystery as to who is doing the cutting and for what reason.

Conservation agent Mia McDonald said in a recent email, “On March 23, one of the conservation commissioners who live nearby reported a large amount of tree cutting

in the Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area. Another commissioner that lives near the area also reported cutting of a few trees on the south overlook a couple days prior.

Staff walked onto the property and observed approximately 30 trees cut on town owned land, and approximately 500 trees cut on land owned and managed by MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.)”

She noted that the trees

were all white pine and were located off trail. They were cut two to three feet off the ground with stumps left in place. The felled trees were lying next to their stumps.

“The majority of the cutting is on state land. This was reported to the Mass Wildlife DCR (Department of Conservation & Recreation) Stewardship Coordinator on March 23. Their office visited the site

later that week,” McDonald explained.

She also shared that town staff has visited the area several times over the past few weeks.

They did not see any evidence of additional cutting nor heard the sound of chainsaws.

“The Northborough Conservation Commission has placed the cutting and the long-term management of the conservation area on their next meeting agenda,” she remarked.

“I am also staff for the Northborough Trails Committee. I checked with two of their head volunteers in late March and they confirmed that no one on the committee did this cutting. They only clear wood that has fallen or is about to fall onto the trail,” she added.

McDonald also noted that another issue that has been ongoing in the same area for the past few years is the creation of new trails. Not only are these trails overlapping and confus-

ing, but they are illicit as well.

“From the Howard Ridge Trail looking east into the gorge below, it is obvious that someone has created a looping course,” she reflected.

While the situation remains a mystery, McDonald is conducting outreach to the community through email, social media and on the Trails Committee page on the town website. For more information, visit: https://www.town. northborough.ma.us/trailscommittee/bulletins/it-illegalcut-vegetation-alter-terrainor-create-trails.

Meanwhile, McDonald said that signs will be posted on kiosks and other locations throughout the Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area.

She has also issued a plea for any reports of illicit activity to be directed to her office at the Northborough Conservation Commission at 508-393-5015 or Conservation@town.northborough.ma.us.

Shrewsbury’s Log Cabin

A special invitation to the Class of 2020 from the Community Advocate Seniors – we know this is not how you thought your last year in high school would be, so we would like to help you and your friends commemorate your senior year!

Send us a jpg (500kb -1 mb) of your senior photo and we will place it in a special commemorative collage that we will create especially for your high school.

This will appear in print and online!

Send your photo to news@communityadvocate.com

Please include your first and last name as well as the school you are graduating from

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SHREWSBURY - When Routes 9 and 20 were first opened in the time around 1930, one of the businesses that opened to cater to the many travelers that used the roads was the Log Cabin, shown in our photograph this week. This is a rare postcard, in that it is the only known view of the small cabins that once stood to the rear of the main building. They were advertised, on the rear of the card, as having “individual showers with hot and cold running water and private bathrooms”. Some years later the cabins were removed – even descendants of the original owners aren’t quite sure what was done with them, but it is likely that they were moved across the road to what has been known for decades as the Rainbow Motel. The hand written note on the back of this card tells us that the person sending the card had stopped here overnight and that they “have twin beds, wish you were in the other, miss you, would have been perfect with you along!” The Log Cabin building is now home to Willikers - the building itself is one of the longest lasting structures used for the same purpose over many years in town.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 13

COMMUNITYBUSINESS Fuller RV adapts to COVID-19 restrictions

By Cindy Zomar Contributing Writer REGION – For Sheri and Bob Fuller, owners of Fuller RV in Boylston, the COVID-19 lockdown and stay-at-home orders took a bite out of their recreational vehicle rental business.

“After 9/11, more people began to rent or buy their own recreational vehicles to avoid getting on a plane… they would rather drive themselves,” she said. “We sell a lot of units to people who are tired of paying rent or a mortgage and would rather be able to travel wherever they wanted.”

Now, however, everyone is forced to stay at home, traveling is for essential purposes only, and the travel and hospitality industries are suffering. The trickle-down effect reaches RV rentals, too.

“Right now, short-term rentals that have been scheduled keep pushing the date out, while long trips seem to no longer be in the budget,” she noted.

Business is far from dead, however.

“Mainly it’s the utility companies who are looking to set up a Plan B, to find a place to let their workers sleep if they must leave their offices,” she explained.

The LG Exelon Mystic Generating Station and Liberty Utility, both in Fall River are good examples.

“If they had to evacuate the building because of the virus,

Running with just a skeleton crew with her husband and son right now, Fuller is still optimistic about the summer.

“Let’s be real here…we need to get some sense of normality back,” she said. “If we can get

the campgrounds open for just three months, starting in July, the campers would be selfcontained, in their own space, with their own food. That’s what I am hoping is going to happen.”

Misilo named as Fletcher Tilton PC president

An RV is cheaper and perhaps safer than a hotel if travel is necessary.

to limit exposure, they can’t just be down for a while,” she said. “They need back-up with sleeping quarters. The units they are reserving hold four adults, which would be for those who normally work together as a crew anyway.

National Grid as well likes to have some on hold for use as a command center to dispatch the linesmen in case of emergency.”

The trailers are being used for a lot of different things as people wait for orders to shut down or evacuate out of an abundance of caution.

“Nahant Police and Fire have expressed a need if they are told to evacuate their stations, and a mother whose daughter is a doctor on the front lines wants to rent one so she can stay close but sepa-

rate,” Fuller noted. “A visiting nurse will be using one to visit a patient’s home in Vermont for a few days. It is cheaper and perhaps safer than a hotel.

She can bring her own food, and just park it at the patient’s house.”

Fuller noted that the industry is changing in another way because of the restrictions.

“I don’t keep these units registered all the time; it would be a fortune. I used to be able to offer a 24-hour turn-around but now some registries are closed, and it’s tough to get appointments,” she explained.

“The other issue is that there are no pre-stamped insurance forms, I must download it, fill it out, email it to the company, she stamps it, and sends it back via FedEx. Everything takes so much time!”

Fred Misilo

Michael T. Lahti

Region - At the firm’s recent annual meeting, Attorney Fred Misilo was elected president of Fletcher Tilton PC., a regional law firm with offices in Worcester, Framingham, Providence, Boston and Cape Cod. Misilo serves as chair of the Trust & Estate Department at Fletcher Tilton. He also serves as chair of the Board of Directors at Fallon Community Health Plan, Inc. and as president of The Arc of the United States, Inc. The firm also announced that Attorney Michael T. Lahti has been elected as a Director-Owner. In 2019, Lahti was appointed chair of the Elder Law Practice Group.

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To capitalize on opportunity, Adams is focused on keeping her agents active, energized, and up to speed on virtual technologies.

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“Many of our agents have been having a blast with virtual home tours for a while now, and our amazing tech team is now pushing out useful webinars two, three, sometimes four times a day – making best use of DocuSign, Dotloop transaction management, Matterport 3D home tours – skills that can help our agents take their business to the next level now and in future environments,” she said.

They are skills that are paying off for agents like Jeri Green, team leader, Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in Tenafly, N.J., who had her first virtual closing last week.

“It was terrific,” she said.

“Electronic signings, FedEx’d documents, everything was virtual and it all went off without a hitch.”

Technology is helping to keep the lights on for companies across the country.

“We opened $14 million in new listings and $35 million in sales last week, the majority resulting from virtual open houses,” said Christy Budnick, president of Berkshire Hathaway Florida Network Realty in Jacksonville.

Still, Budnick anticipates a 30- to 50-percent reduction in sales through December.

As a result, her executive team is focused on budget, she said, scrutinizing it line item by line item, cutting non-essentials, re-negotiating leases, and closely monitoring even routine expenses.

But morale is strong, she said, and with inventory tight and interest rates at historic lows, she sees plenty of room for new business for agents who work smart in the new normal.

“We are staying very connected,” Budnick said. “Ninja

coaching, virtual sales meetings, even virtual cocktail hours have become a major part of our lives – and sharing best practices while we’re all on so much of a learning curve.”

The learning curve is proving invaluable for agents like Constance Leeson, a career agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Calhoon Company, Realtors, in Columbus, Ohio, whose photographer husband has been instrumental in preparing her for the new normal.

“We are producing video home tours that go beyond features and floorplans to include some of the little things that are important to buyers,” Leeson said. “We’re turning on faucets, flushing toilets, and peering into closets, the kinds of things every buyer, and especially virtual buyers, want to see up close.”

One such tour brought a quick offer from pre-approved local buyers.

“They needed to buy a larger home, and they have a son with asthma,” Leeson said. “They couldn’t take a chance on possible coronavirus exposure. The virtual tour was perfect for their needs.

There were multiple offers, but theirs was the winning bid.”

Leeson, who serves as Calhoon Company’s relocation director, is also negotiating deals with several out-ofstate buyers based solely on virtual home tours.

“It’s a great option and it’s clearly working,” said Ben Calhoon, a third-generation principal at Calhoon Company.

A working agent and a top producer himself, Calhoon foresees his business dropping by half through spring and even into summer.

“But I expect, given the pent-up demand,” he said, “that the fall season will be better than last fall.”

Given the patchwork of safety guidelines that vary widely from state to state, and by individual adherence to them, some brokers are concerned with indemnifying their firms against fallout from coronavirus infection in cases when property is shown in person.

“Early on in this crisis, while taking all possible sanitary measures in showing property, we created a listing addendum and a buyer advisory designed to let buyers and sellers know that we would not be responsible in the event someone became ill after a showing,” said Matt Deuitch, designated broker, DPR Realty, Phoenix, Ariz. “Customers need to understand that we are not healthcare professionals, and we can’t ensure the health or safety of any given home.”

While the company is experiencing an explosion in the use of virtual platforms from 3D home tours to remote closings, Deuitch said, he anticipates a 25- to 30-percent drop in revenue overall.

But the brokers and agents we spoke to maintain a sense of practical optimism.

“We are looking at this as a delayed spring market,” said New England’s Candace Adams. “Come July or August, I think it will be all we can do just to keep up with demand.”

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 15

COMMUNITYOBITUARIES The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows) at no charge as a courtesy to our readers. Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate. com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www.communityadvocate.com).

Amazeen Jr., George of Marlborough Benoit, Beatrice of North Grafton Benoit, Ellen of Marlborough Biliouris, Nedra of Shrewsbury Brisbois, Mary of Marlborough D’Amico, Rose of Shrewsbury Dellagala, Esther of Shrewsbury DiPadua, Michael of Shrewsbury Dumas, Gilbert of Marlborough Enman, Richard of Westborough Fenneuf, Roy of Grafton Fischer, Shirley of Marlborough Gill, Marie of Hudson Grip, Patricia of Northborough/Shrewsbury Holovnia, Frederick of Shrewsbury Kirker, Deborah of Westborough LaBaire, Robert of Shrewsbury Lachapelle, Viola of Marlborough LaPointe Jr., Bernard of Grafton Lennon, Doris of Shrewsbury Marceau, Sr. Therese of the Sisters of St. Chretienne McGee, Daniel of Upton Minasian, Haig of Westborough Nonnemacher, Theresa of Northborough O’Brien, Marie of Westborough Scopetski, Peter of Northborough Waugh, Dorothy of Hudson and Marlborough

Daniel McGee, 56 UPTON - Daniel “Ruggy” McGee, 56, of Upton, died in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on April 21, He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and dear friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Tammy McGee, and daughters, Tanya and Nina

McGee of Upton.

Danny owned and operated Side Alley Restoration in Westborough for nearly 35 years. He was a highly respected, and internationally recognized master of classic car restoration and finishing, and a true artist in every sense of the word. His work was featured in countless enthusiasts magazines and blogs, and his customers proudly displayed their showpiece vehicles at car shows all across the country.

A celebration of Danny’s life will be announced at a later date. Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, Inc. of Upton is assisting with arrangements.

Peter J. Scopetski, 88 NORTHBOROUGH - Dr. Peter J. Scopetski, DDS, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at the age of 88, from complications from the coronavirus at the Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was the husband of 61 years to the late Eileen (Dowd) Scopetski.

Peter leaves behind five children, Jean Borkowski of Ann Arbor, Mich., Stephen Scopetski and his wife Karen of Arlington, Kevin Scopetski and his wife Karen of Northborough, Neal Scopetski and his wife Beth of Auburn, and Susan Snyder and her husband Rodney of Sterling, Va. Peter was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Fleming, and his sons-in-law, Mark Fleming and Joseph Borkowski.

Peter also leaves 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Paul Scopetski and his wife Theresa, owners of the Spare Time Shop in Marlborough.

Funeral services and burial in Howard Street Cemetery in Northborough will be private, for the family. A memorial Mass and remembrance celebration will occur at a future date. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough is assisting with arrangements.

Doris L. Lennon, 90 SHREWSBURY - Mrs. Doris L. (Foote) Lennon, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Waltham, died April 12, 2020 at Care One in Millbury.

She was 90 years old.

She was the beloved wife of the late James M. Lennon and is survived by her children, Frances L. Bourgeois (Raymond) of Florida, Diane M. Champagne (late Brian) of Shrewsbury,

James “Clyde” Lennon (Jenni) of Mashpee, and Robert P. “Bob” Lennon (Zueylha) of Grafton; her grandchildren, Susan, Nancy, Michael, Carolyn, Kathryn, Kirin, Sheila, Leo, Christopher, Bobby and Matthew; and many great-grandchildren, greatgreat-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Maurice Foote.

Funeral services and burial in Linwood Cemetery of Weston are private as a result of the ongoing health crisis in the world and our community.

Joyce Funeral Home of Waltham is assisting with arrangements.

Esther E. Dellagala, 96 SHREWSBURY - Esther E. (Pecorelli) Dellagala, 96, of Shrewsbury, passed away April 15, 2020 at the Beaumont Nursing Home in Northborough.

Esther was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Joseph B. Dellagala. Esther was also predeceased by her two sons, Joseph J. Dellagala and Stephen M. Dellagala. She is survived by her two granddaughters, Jennifer D. Arsenault (Thomas J. Giblin) of Shrewsbury and Stacey M. Beer of Holden; her daughter-in-law, MaryJane (Riggieri) Dellagala of Shrewsbury; and five greatgrandchildren, Ryan D. Beer, Alexa M. Beer, Evan J Arsenault, Will C. Arsenault and Matthew S. Arsenault. Esther was also predeceased by her two sisters, Antoinette Pecorelli and Mary Sliwoski.

Services will be held privately for Mrs. Dellagala’s family. Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Anthony J. Volpe, 89 WESTBOROUGH/EASTHAM – Anthony J. Volpe, 89, of Westborough and Eastham, beloved husband of the late Marie (Sansone) passed away April 17, 2020 surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren at home. He is survived by his daughters Lisa Volpe Hachey of Hopkinton, Maria Volpe of Eastham, and Antonia Volpe Rind of Williamsburg, Virginia, six grandchildren, Allegra, Spenser, Evangeline, Sonja, Jeremy (Chelsea), and Lily. Dear brother of Ann Micelotti (Anthony Micelotti) and the late Jennie Bianchi (Vito Bianchi) of Milford, and

late brother-in-law Michael Sansone and late sister-in-law Joan (Kontio) of Whitman, several nieces and nephews.

Graduate of Boston University, having studied under Sarah Caldwell, Anthony was Director of Music in the Spencer, Northborough, and Medway school systems for 40 years, where he directed countless Gilbert & Sullivan operettas and Broadway musicals. Hundreds of students remember “Mr. Volpe” as their music teacher in school or their piano teacher at his home in Westborough.

He was a member of the 26th Yankee Division National Guard Band in Boston, and the 283rd Army Band at Fort Benning during the post-Korean conflict.

Founder-Director of the Northboro Community Chorus for 47 years until retiring in 2018, he then volunteered at Dana Farber Cancer Center playing piano on Mondays.

A funeral and memorial celebration of Anthony’s life will be held at a later date.

Armand Courchaine, 76 MARLBOROUGH – Armand Courchaine was born on March 18, 1944 in Fall River, and he died peacefully at UMass-Memorial Marlborough Hospital on April 14, 2020 at the age of 76, after a tough battle with COVID-19.

Armand was predeceased by his parents Leo J. Courchaine and Emily Boudreau, his first wife Theresa, and a long-time partner Celeste.

Armand served in the US Navy as an electrician on the USS Willis A. Lee during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was an avid fly fisherman as well as a volunteer at St. Ansem’s Church and Fresh Start Furniture Bank.

Armand leaves behind his wife Sheila, and six children with his first wife Theresa: Suzanne Courchaine and her partner Rob Hill; Michelle Courchaine; Adam Courchaine and his wife Dara; Matt Courchaine and his wife Maria; Andrew Courchaine and his wife Abbey; Tom Courchaine and his wife Ivy; and 7 grand-

children: Alex, Andrew, Emily, Julia, Nadia, Olivia, and Arnold.

Collins Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted the family with arrangements.

Nedra M. Biliouris, 88 SHREWSBURY - Nedra M. Biliouris, 88, longtime Shrewsbury resident, passed away peacefully April 17, 2020. She was the wife of 60 years to the late William A. Biliouris.

Nedra is survived by her loving sons, William A. Biliouris and his wife Susan of Livermore, Maine and David A. Biliouris and his partner Mikki Scott of Greenfield; her grandchildren, Emily Biliouris and her husband Henry Wu of Boston and Kelsey Biliouris and her significant other Daniel Taylor of Wilton, Maine; her brother, Richard Varney and his wife Donna of Morristown, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews, including Cathy Biliouris and Cynthia Zwicker of Ashby, Christine Lippincott and her husband Wayne of Sandwich, Arden Varney and his wife Janine of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Scott Varney of Jersey City, N.J., and Kim Reasor and her husband Gary of Port Murray, N.J. Services for Nedra will be held privately, with a celebration of life to be announced at a later date. There are no calling hours. The Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Answers to Super Crossword Puzzle on page 19

Visit CommunityAdvocate.com to view this week’s Police Log communityadvocate.com/category/police-fire/

16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

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Westborough’s Earth Day volunteers participate in clean-up efforts WESTBOROUGH - Due to coronavirus concerns and in consultation with the Westborough Board of Health, the Westborough Community Land Trust had to cancel participation by all groups and businesses this year for the annual Earth Day cleanup on April 18. But thanks to online sign-up and the many individuals and families who pulled together, the day turned out to be a big success.

“Even with no physical check-in and no celebratory picnic, it was easy to sense how connected and caring our community is by the number of people cleaning up and the piles of full bags by the road,” Janet Anderson WCLT member said.

“With each person and family doing a little bit, and trusting others to do their share, we had a successful cleanup once again!

“A total of 135 people filled over 200 trash bags, and several people cleaned multiple routes!

In the end we cleaned up nearly as much area as it usually takes twice as many people to clean.

Amazing!” she added.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 17

Marlborough photographer captures residents’ stay-at-home moments

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Contributing Writer

PHOTOS/KATHERINE HENNESSY

MARLBOROUGH – A number of Marlborough residents now have mementos of getting a much-appreciated breath of fresh air while following the coronavirus pandemic stay-athome advisory.

Bringing the now-nationwide Front Steps Project to Marlborough, photographer Katherine Hennessy is capturing residents outside their homes.

The photos are shared via social media and raising funds for charitable causes.

“This is creating memories of something that none of us expected we would ever need to go through, and celebrating that we’re all doing this together,” Hennessy explained. “It’s a reminder that we need to stay at home.”

In exchange for a photo shoot, she’s encouraging donations to the volunteer service organization Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club (MJWC) and Marlborough Community Cupboard. Within her first

The McCabe family: (front, l to r) Halle, Kelliann, Anna holding her dog Teddy, their huskie Apollo, Scott, Connor and (back) Anna’s fiancé Matt Sugar

three weeks beginning April 1, she photographed residents at 68 locations and raised about $4,000 for the charities.

Hennessy has been an active member of MJWC since 2004, as well as a Marlborough School Committee member since 2008.

“Everyone has been really fo-

cused on wanting to help others in the community through the food pantry,” she noted. “They like the idea that they can have a quick portrait taken by donating to help other folks.”

Soon after the Front Steps Project was launched by Needham photographer Cara Soulia

and her friend Kristen Collins, they were joined by other Needham photographers Topher Cox and Caitrin Dunphy. Hennessy learned about the project from Cox, who she represents through her business Katy & Company.

Marlborough residents became aware of Hennessy’s efforts with the project on Facebook or by word of mouth. In her attempt to stay at home as much as possible, she has scheduled up to 10 photo shoots per day. Equipped with a highpower sports lens, she practices extreme social distancing.

“I show up and there’s no contact,” she stressed. “They come out on their front steps and I’m normally at least 10 feet away. I let them do their thing and try to capture what I see. It takes literally just a few minutes.”

A member of one of the many families she has photographed is an essential worker whose only time off from work was a rainy day. The family decided to keep their scheduled photo shoot and look on the bright side.

“They all came outside with bright umbrellas and raingear, and we got a great shot of them in the rain,” Hennessy recounted. “My daughter came with me and held an umbrella over us to keep my camera dry.”

Even families’ quarantined four-legged members are taking part in the photo shoots.

“A lot of the families want their pets in the shot,” Hennessy relayed. “There has been a huge amount of dogs and one cat – and I actually got the cat to look at the camera.”

In these uncertain times, Hennessy is prepared to capture more uplifting moments for Marlborough residents and their animals.

“I’m looking forward to doing more as long as it continues to be safe for myself and everyone else,” she said. “I’m happy to see the response from so many folks around the community that want to get involved and are using this as a way to help others.”

For more photos, visit communityadvocate.com; click “Town,” then “Marlborough.”

Peace of mind… is our policy.

Due to the escalation of the response around us and with the goal of minimizing the spread of COVID-19, we will be implementing temporary changes that impact our office access and face-to-face availablity with our staff.

Effective March 19th, we will serve our customers at our offices via appointment only, and only for critical situations that cannot be handled by electronic means or by telephone. Please call our main number to schedule an appointment. 1-800-443-7007.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020 • 19

s ’ d l r Wo T S E B

m o M

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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 1, 2020

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