Community Advocate May 8, 2020

Organizations assemble and donate 1,400 face shields to frontline workers page

School nurses deliver school lunches by bus

5

page

CommunityAdvocate

14

Locally owned and operated since 1974

Your community. Your news. Your paper.

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

Vol. 46 | No. 19 | May 8, 2020

Grafton officials warn of ‘devasting’ cuts if override is not approved

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

Grafton High School

(l to r) Brad Robillard, Jill Wickman with daughter Emmy, Chuck and Rosemary Wickman, Mike Noonan, Kristina Wickman with son Charlie, and Katie Wickman with daughter Tess

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer

A family on the front line

GRAFTON – Grafton Public Schools Superintendent Jay Cummings said he didn’t intend to scare voters.

But, as he shared his screen in a recent public video conference, he acknowledged the rows and rows of proposed budget cuts were, nonetheless, alarming.

“This would be devastating to the school district,” he said.

Cummings spoke alongside a virtual panel of private advocates and town officials alike, May 3. Together, the group asked voters to approve an upcoming ballot question that would allow Grafton to increase property taxes to pay for endangered services.

A “yes” vote on what’s known as Proposition 2-1/2 will allow the town to increase per-household tax rates by roughly $10 a month, per year, for the next five years, according to proponents. By the end of the period, therefore, the average property tax bill will

Southborough’s Wickmans to be on NBC’s Today Show this weekend page

inside this issue: viewpoint..................2 news .....................4 schools .................13 crossword .............16

Override | 13

Central One thanks all of the frontline essential workers in the community ... including ours!

Although our lobbies are temporarily closed, we have extended our Drive-Up hours to accommodate your banking needs: Monday - Friday 7 am - 6 pm, Saturday - regular business hours vary by branch.

centralfcu.com | 800-527-1017

obituaries .............17 police log ...............17 homes & more ........18 classifieds .............19

Testing at New Horizons at Marlborough reveals zero cases of COVID-19

10

9

2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

COMMUNITYVIEWPOINT Letters to the Editor We are all in this together To the Editor: It had been two weeks since I had physically gone grocery shopping. This weekend, it became necessary. Sporting my cloth mask and baseball cap (like most men, struggling with bad hair days), I ventured into an area store. Just that morning, I learned that 81 employees at another area store tested positive for covid19.

Unfortunately, I saw customers without face coverings.

Masks aren’t needed if you can maintain a distance of six feet when outdoors. In a grocery store, that is near to impossible, as much as we try. Respiratory

HomeGoods

Marshalls

droplets will travel six feet.

This is simple. It is about the greater good. There is asymptomatic spread. You may have it and never show any signs.

Wearing a mask shows that you value the people who work in a grocery store, by not infecting them. Some of them are high school students, who may have to work because a parent lost a job; some are adults who are struggling right now. They are showing up to work to help you.

Say, without a mask, you inadvertently end up closer than six feet to someone. You can infect them, causing them to become seriously ill. Or, they could not have any symptoms and continue the spread until someone else ends up hospitalized or dies. That person could be your parent or grandparent, your neighbor with cancer, or your friend’s child with disabilities.

Governor Baker’s order goes into effect May 6. We have to

control the spread in our area communities. We are all in this together.

Safdar Medina Southborough resident Physician, UMass Memorial Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

Heartfelt thanks from a nurse on the frontline To my unsung heroes: I am a nurse. I’ve been a nurse for 25 years and have never been challenged in my career by anything as I have with COVID-19.

This letter is not about me, or nurses, or hospitals. This letter is about YOU. We are all inundated with COVID-19 news. There is not much else I can tell you about this virus or our working conditions.

Westborough Shopping Center CONVENIENT TO ROUTES 9, 495 AND THE MASS PIKE Office tenants may select from a variety of floor plans and rental options in and adjacent to the Westborough Shopping Center.

Stop & Shop Subway & Starbucks Staples

Three Gorges & Mayuri

Mandarin

NOW LEASING

But what I can tell you is how YOUR generosity as a community has been so uplifting for all of us during this time. We are so indebted to your goodwill and kindness. You have restored our faith in humanity. We will never forget those that have, unsolicited, contributed homemade surgical caps, food that has been dropped off on my doorstep for my family, baby monitors, food to hospital staff members, cases of Girl Scout cookies, flowers, lotions and soap. The donations are endless. I see and appreciate the banners and colorful signs of support and appreciation, and the many numerous well-

wishing texts and emails to me.

You are not broadcasting names nor asking for attention.

Quietly, you gave of yourselves and reached out to others to do the same. YOU are the real heroes during this pandemic.

I’m just doing my job.

May your generosity of heart be returned ten-fold!

With all the gratitude in the world from me and all of the nurses that have been the recipient of your kindness, Jody Vaughan RN MS Boston Medical Center emergency room staff nurse Westborough resident

We want your photos! ph

tos

Introducing the Community Advocate Photo Contest!

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!

Mexicali Cantina Grill

MIXED USE OFFICE

1,695 - 13,383 SF available

Tatnuck Bookseller & Café

For leasing information call Dona Colangelo, RPA

Progressive Realty Consultants Julio’s Liquors

When you select Visitation House as your favorite charity, and GIVE $300 you will RECEIVE a dollar for dollar tax deduction from your taxable income without itemizing your deductions.

Single offices from 200 SF

508.366.4163 • westboroughshoppingcenter.com

Over 300+ moms and 300+ babies saved. Over 300 reasons to give. Donate today at

119 Endicott Street, Worcester, MA 01610 ��01c�� �on��ro�t

or

visitationhouse.org

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 3

Who was that masked man...or woman?

A dog of many colors MARLBOROUGH – It’s not that CA writer Jane Keller Gordon was bored and decided to paint her sweet pup Leo... rather, she caught him at just the right moment as he stood before a colored glass sculpture.

REGION - When the Governor’s mask mandate went into effect on May 6, it was a change for a lot of folks. However with this solid leadership and clarity, it appears that compliance is at a very high level in public spaces and that’s a great thing. The collective sacrifice of our community will go a long way toward shortening the negative effects of this pandemic and will hopefully let us get back to a normal life sooner.

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.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR:

David Bagdon

MANAGING EDITOR: COPY EDITOR: CARTOONIST:

Bonnie Adams | ext. 14 Valerie Franchi Ed Turner

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: TRAFFIC MANAGER: GRAPHIC ARTISTS:

Tina Berthiaume Lisa Cyr Lynne Fountain Ellen Bishop

OFFICE MANAGER: BILLING INQUIRIES:

Tracy Nickerson Bookkeeping Dept. | ext. 19

ADVERTISING SALES:

Diane Sabatini | ext. 12 Cynthia Merchant | ext. 15 Mary Ellen Cyganiewicz | ext. 17 Barbara Clifford | 774-243-6881

CLASSIFIEDS:

Classified Dept. | ext. 17

The Community Advocate is a weekly periodical, (U.S.P.S. # 014-423), published by Bagdon Advertising, Inc., with offices located at 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

Periodicals postage is paid at Westborough, MA 01581 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Community Advocate, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Publication date is Friday. Deadline for R.O.P. advertising, local community news and classified advertising is Friday, noon, seven days prior to publication. Not liable for typographical errors, however, we will reprint that portion of the ad wherein error occurred if notified in writing within three working days of the publication date. All material included is the property of The Community Advocate and may include material produced under copyright or a syndicated ad service. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material from any issue of the Community Advocate.

32 South Street • Westborough, MA 01581

(508) 366-5500 • FAX (508) 366-2812

www.communityadvocate.com TWITTER: @CommunityAdNews FACEBOOK.COM/CommunityAdvocateNewspaper

EMAIL FOR SUBMITTING CAMERA-READY ADS: ads@communityadvocate.com EMAIL FOR NEWS-RELATED MATERIALS: news@communityadvocate.com EMAIL FOR CLASSIFIED ADS: classified@communityadvocate.com EMAIL FOR CALENDAR ITEMS: calendar@communityadvocate.com

Un-Cork’d Ryan Maloney, owner

Crisp Chablis

W

ines that are described as crisp usually have firm acidity and lightness on the palate. Chablis, a wine made in the northern part of the Burgundy winegrowing region in France, is a crisp, white wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. These bone-dry wines are very different from the region’s well-known white Burgundies, because all aromas and tastes of wood are intentionally avoided. Wines are usually aged in concrete or stainless steel vats rather than in oak barrels. Chablis wines tend to be lean and light-bodied with a hint of green apples and a distinct minerality that lingers on the palate.

Chablis is an excellent choice with appetizers such as raw oysters or entrées of fresh seafood.

The inventory at JULIO’S LIQUORS is always changing and you don’t want to be left out of the next great wine or vintage. Our wine department carries over 3000 labels from 16 different countries. Stop by our “Angel Share” Wine Tasting Room where 40 wines are on tap at all times. Free of charge, it gives you the ability to ‘Try Before You Buy.’ For more information, please call 508-366-1942 or visit us at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East.

HINT: Chablis wines are sometimes aged in large oak casks that no longer impart either the smell or taste of wood to the wines.

ANT R U A T RES PACK F E I L E R 50% OF PROFITS FROM RESTAURANT RELIEF PACK WINES = RELIEF TO RESTAURANT WORKERS DON’T MISS OUR AD ON PAGE 20

140 Turnpike Road, Rt. 9E, Westborough 508-366-1942 • www.JuliosLiquors.com

TEMPORARY HOURS MON-SUN 10AM - 7PM

4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

COMMUNITYNEWS Hudson teen seeks first person accounts of COVID-19 pandemic

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer HUDSON - Historical Society volunteer Aline Keledjian says she’s recently been gripped by the history unfolding around her.

That in turn, she explains, has spurred her to launch a new initiative committed to preserving this history for future generations.

“People obviously are going to look back on this time in the future to see how we could have changed things or what worked,” she said, highlighting the value of such documentation.

Now a Hu dson Hig h School senior, Keledjian started volunteering for Hudson’s downtown museum as a sophomore.

Since then, she’s worked

All natural No fillers Made in the USA Pet Food and Supplies Sold here.

Aline Keledjian

mainly to digitize the Society’s collections of artifacts, newspapers, photos and books documenting local life through the 19th and 20th centuries.

Outside of that duty, she’s

• High Temperature Sanitizing • We offer Hot Water Power, Pressure & Soft Washing • Residential & Commercial • Insured • Free Estimates

GIBSON’S NATURAL PET 994 Grafton St. Worcester

info@gibsonsnaturalpet.com

Only the Retail Store is Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 4pm Like us on

Proud Members of the APDT

508-926-8628

www.GibsonsNaturalPet.com

Anne E. Grenier Attorney at Law Anne E. Grenier Attorney at Law and LICSW Divorce, Custody, Adoption and Guardianship 238 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester Office: 1.888.740.4648 Phone: 508.759.1601 Email: agrenier@edenrafferty.com www.edenrafferty.com

maintained rotating exhibits in the museum space and launched an Instagram account to showcase special items in the Historical Society’s possession.

The account has since

· Houses & Mobile Homes · Asphalt, Concrete & Stone · Store Fronts · Decks & Patios · Gas Stations · Kennels & Stalls · Paint Stripping · Moss & Mildew Removal · Building Exteriors *HOA’S *Roofs

If you don’t see what you are looking for call us at 508.826.2785 or visit SterlingPowerWash.com

grown to boast close to 200 followers and has begun to achieve a goal of broadening the audience for the Historical Society’s message to include Keledijian’s younger peers.

When public spaces like the Historical Society rapidly closed their doors last month, though, Keledijian said she found herself suddenly forced to get creative in creating content without actual historical artifacts to showcase.

“I wanted to do something to keep our followers engaged,” she said. “I didn’t just want to be idle.”

Her solution to that quagmire? Simply make new artifacts.

Since early April, she’s posted weekly prompts to the Historical Society account with the expressed purpose of soliciting submissions for a crowdsourced portrait of the coronavirus pandemic in Hudson.

“Having a wide range of perspectives, even if it’s from a small community like Hudson, is important,” she said. “It will help future generations to see what people in this time are seeing around them.”

She says public reception of this push has been overwhelmingly positive, though she adds that she hopes to get more actual journal responses in the coming weeks than she has currently amassed.

She has reason to hope.

This type of project is

one that’s gained traction across mediums and cultures throughout the now monthslong global coronavirus crisis.

In China in January and February, an army of citizen journalists risked persecution by defying censors and documenting their daily lives in quarantine through video diaries they circulated across video sharing platforms. That work quickly provided valuable insight into the actual situation in cities like Wuhan as the Chinese government tried to otherwise control the flow of information on COVID-19’s severity.

Since the virus spread outside of China, the already popular short-form viral video app TikTok has further emerged as a space for everyday citizens, first responders, and medical professionals alike to share scenes from their daily lives.

“It’s been so interesting seeing people document what their experiences are like,” Keledjian said of all this, then adding, “That definitely inspired my idea.”

Ultimately, Keledjian says she has her fingers crossed, hoping her community stays safe, while also hoping they help her show curious future citizens and scholars alike a hyper-local view on an unprecedented situation.

“The ways in which we act and respond to the coronavirus,” she said, after all, “is history in the making.”

May you live each second with joy.

May you live each minute with hope.

May you live each hour with patience.

May you live each day with wonder.

And may your year be filled with peace and love.

-- Stuart & Linda MacFarlane, Authors Graphic design by

Sponsored by Chief Joseph.Robert J. Terkanian, P.O. Box 808 • Northborough, MA 01532

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 5

Organizations assemble and donate 1,400 face shields to frontline workers

By Catherine Twing Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - What started as a request for 400 face shields from Milford Regional Hospital grew into an effort to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to hundreds on the front lines.

In March, Kelley Petralia, executive director of Westborough Connects, heard from a Westborough resident and employee at Milford Hospital about the need for PPE. Petralia reached out to Westborough Rotary Club President Elliott Rittenberg to make it happen.

After watching videos about assembling face shields, Rittenberg and other volunteers realized this was a way to give back to frontline workers and were excited to get started.

There was only one problem.

All non-essential stores were closed and the supplies they needed were in short supply.

“By the time we got the request we had basically gone into lock down, so we were looking at how are we going to do this, how are we going to get materials,” said Rittenberg.

“We called around to Joann Fabrics, looked on Amazon, called hardware stores,” Petralia noted.

It was decided that the shields would need to be made with supplies purchased in bulk. They ordered most materials from online sources including 54” vinyl which arrived in 10-15 yard rolls.

“We wanted to minimize, for safety reasons, how many people were touching things,” Petralia said. She explained the at-home assembly line

that they were 5 minutes each to build. Once you went through the process it became pretty simple,” he said.

The cost of the materials came out to around $6,400 which was funded by the Westborough Civics Club, Westborough Rotary Club and the Rotary Club district 7910, which includes 50 clubs in Central Massachusetts.

In total, 25 volunteers helped assemble 1,415 face shields which were delivered to over a dozen orA practitioner at UMass Memorial Medical Center ganizations, with uses one of the face shields donated by the a reach far beyond Westborough Rotary Club.

Worcester County.

Members of Rittenberg orchestrated which the Bedford Rotary Club and included volunteers cutting Concord Rotary Club both asthe vinyl into the proper sizes, sisted in making the shields another volunteer cutting the and delivering them to faciliVelcro, and another cutting the ties in their area, and shields damper strip. were delivered as far away as The items were organized Nashua N.H. into kits and then dropped off Rittenberg said this regional for assembly. approach is what helped them “We dropped them off at receive the necessary funding people’s homes on their front from their Rotary district. step, or they picked them up “If it was just Westborough from our front steps,” Rittenand Milford they may have berg said. They held a video helped, but because we could call on how to build the shields expand to other clubs and reand then collected assembled gions, that made it easier for shields from front steps to enthem to come up with funding sure social distancing. for it,” he said.

Rittenberg and his wife Both Petralia and Rittenberg made 12 or 13 shields themexpressed how this project selves and found it to be fairly helped them better understand simple. the needs of frontline health“The first one or two took care workers.

15 minutes each, then after

Jim and Marianne O’Connor display vinyl cut to size and packaged into 20 piece bundles to be assembled into face shields by volunteers.

“I’m not on the front lines, but I know many people who are, we all do,” Petralia said.

“I felt like this was a way we could pull people together and protect, behind every shield is a person.”

Rittenberg had a similar experience.

“It was really eye opening about how critical the need was. We read about it and see

Westborough Office Space

24 Lyman Street

We Keep You Comfortable All Year • Heating System Upgrades • Automatic Oil Delivery • 24 Hr. Emergency Service • Diesel Fuel • Convenient Payment Plans Family owned & operated for over 60 years

Northboro Oil Company, Inc. A full service fuel oil company 508-393-6200 | 247 West Main Street, Northborough | www.northborooil.com

on the news about how short all these folks were for this protective equipment, but to hear from them and the difference it makes, it struck me,” Rittenberg said. “More than one of the places we delivered told us that not only was it providing protection, it also helped boost morale knowing there’s someone out there pulling for them.”

OFFICE SPACE 2462 Usable Sq. Ft.

Conference room, kitchen, 5 offices, reception area, storage

CONVENIENT TO ROUTES 9, 495 AND THE MASS PIKE Office tenants may select from a variety of floor plans and rental options in and adjacent to the Westborough Shopping Center.

MEDICAL OFFICE 6,000 +/- Sq. Ft. - Will subdivide

Fully Built Out

FITNESS/ HEALTH SPACE 2870 Usable Sq. Ft.

33 Lyman Street

For leasing information call Dona Colangelo, RPA

Progressive Realty Consultants 508.366.4163 • westboroughshoppingcenter.com

6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Marlborough family spreads positivity through painted rocks

By Catherine Twing Contributing Writer MARLBOROUGH - If you’ve seen a collection of colorfully painted rocks on the Assabet River Rail Trail in Marlborough recently, chances are they were placed there by the Dalbec family.

While at the family’s second home in New Hampshire several weeks ago, Julie Dalbec and her daughter Samantha began collecting rocks from a nearby riverbed. To pass time they began painting the rocks.

“I like that I can really express myself when I’m painting rocks. I kind of just let my hand go and I like to see where it takes me,” the Whitcomb Middle School fifth grader said.

They painted flowers, sun and moon, their house, sunsets, words like “hope” and more.

“Samantha mastered the art of drawing the coronavirus itself so she made one with the virus that says ‘It’s corona time,’” Dalbec laughed.

They thought about leaving the painted rocks at neighbors’ homes or giving them as gifts, but Samantha had the idea to put them on the rail trail for more people to see.

They placed the rocks on a bench at the entrance to the rail trail near Hudson St. in

Sami is finding a way to shed some light on us all. Art is a powerful tool, and there is no better time than now to embrace it and really appreciate it. ­— Robea Nordman Art teacher

Samantha Dalbec with some of the rocks she has painted

Marlborough with a sign that said “Covid-19 Courage Rocks.”

The next day someone had laid the rocks out into a mandala, and some rocks had been placed along the rail trail, Dalbec said. The intention was for the rocks to stay on the rail trail and be added to as a community art project, but they suspect some people misunderstood the purpose.

“A few days later, half were gone. There’s need to touch it, just add to it,” she said.

Samantha had mentioned

the project to her art teacher, Robea Nordman, who liked the idea and shared on social media and with friends.

“Everyone in the world is a part of what is going on right now,” Nordman said.

“Sami is finding a way to shed some light on us all. Art is a

powerful tool, and there is no better time than now to embrace it and really appreciate it.”

Dalbec admitted that

they’re a little behind on making more painted rocks since they have been unable to travel to New Hampshire for several weeks, but will continue to find more rocks in Marlborough to paint.

“Everyone has a rock in their back yard or can find one on the rail trail, and it seems most people have paint at home,” she said. “It would be great if we were overrun with painted rocks.”

Anyone interested in contributing can drop off a painted rock on the rail trail, or place them around the neighborhood to brighten the day of others.

“I believe that everyone should try to paint a rock because they can express their emotions,” Samantha said. “It makes me happy, so I think it could make other people happy!”

Dr. Mikhail Novikov

OPEN FOR TA K E OUT A N D DELIVERY 508-762-4810 thaiandishrewsbury.com 274 South Street, Shrewsbury Open Tues-Sun from 11 am - 9 pm

Worcester-Shrewsbury Worcester-Shrewsbury 98 Boston Turnpike 98 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545 Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 753-2253 (508) 753-2253 NothingBundtCakes.com NothingBundtCakes.com 06/01/2020 06/01/2020

is pleased to announce his new office in Northborough · Skin Cancer Screening Skin conditions we treat: · Moles · Excision of lipomas, sebaceous cysts, and · Rosacea other skin lesions · Eczema · Incision and drainage of abscesses · Acne · Cryotherapy of skin lesions, such as skin · Wounds tags and other benign skin growths · Minor burns We participate with most insurance plans. Please call our office for more details.

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM to 5 PM Contact us at (508) 936-1657 to schedule an appointment at one of our three convenient office locations!

Northborough Marlborough Franklin 318 Main St. 246 Maple St. 835 W Central St. Suite 165 Suite 4

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 7

Towns forced to reschedule annual town elections due to pandemic

By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor REGION – The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has changed another traditional springtime event across the state – the annual town election.

Most town elections in the Community Advocate readership area were to be held in May and have been rescheduled to a date in June.

Profiles introducing the candidates will be printed in the Community Advocate in late May/early June.

Here is information on the new election dates and the names of the candidates for the Boards of Selectmen in each town.

• Grafton – New election date Tuesday, June 23. BOS candidates are: Jennifer Thomas (incumbent), Donna Stock (incumbent), Matthew Often and Colleen Roy. • Hudson – New election date is Monday, June 29. BOS candidates are: Scott Duplisea (incumbent) and Dandrick Gelin.

• Northborough – New election date is Tuesday, June 30. BOS candidates are: Jason Perreault (incumbent), Thomas Dalton, Lisa Maselli and Thomas Rogers.

• Shrewsbury – New election date is Tuesday, June 16. BOS candidates are: Beth Casavant (incumbent), Maurice DePalo (incumbent), and Benjamin Tartaglia Sr.

Month of May. Receive a FREE - Beyond the Barn Boston 8oz candle, with a purchase of $25 or more* (You must add the candle to your cart on our website for the discount to apply)

*Free shipping and local delivery.

• Southborough – New election date to be determined. BOS candidates are: Lisa Braccio (incumbent), Peter LaPine and Chelsea Marie Malinowski.

• Westborough – New election date to be determined. BOS candidate – Ian Johnson (incumbent).

Letters to the Editor in support of candidates are welcomed during this election season. Please note the following guidelines: All letters should be 350 words or less. Letters can be emailed to news@communityadvocate.com or mailed to Managing Editor, Community Advocate, 32 South St. Westborough MA 01581.

Letters must have the name, address and phone number of the person submitting it (only name and town will be printed.)

Letters will be reviewed and printed at the discretion of the Managing Editor and those that are deemed slanderous, libelous or attacking another candidate will not be printed.

Letters will be printed on a first-come, first basis for each candidate, with one letter per candidate in print, as space allows. All letters will be posted on www.communityadvocate.com.

For more information contact Managing Editor Bonnie Adams at news@communityadvocate.com or 508-450-6992.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Shopping Curbside Pickup Beautiful. Handmade. Local.

Charlton Kleening Service Residential/Commercial

Gift Certificates available

Gifts  Yarn  Fiber Arts  Classes Visit our website for online shopping & updates Hours: Wed – Sat: 11am- 6pm • Sun: 12-5pm Shop 24/7 @ www.beyondthebarnboston.com 978-568-0068 • 15 Washington St. Hudson www.beyondthebarnboston.com

$

100 OFF

950+ carpet purchase* $

$

50 OFF

$ 450+ carpet purchase*

782 Boston Post Rd East, Marlborough 508-485-2227 • www.postroadcarpet.com *Coupons must be submitted at time of purchase. Not valid on prior purchases. Valid for carpet only, excludes pads & labor. Coupons cannot be combined with any other offers or sale items. Expires 7/8/20.

Charltonkleening@gmail.com charltonkleeningservice.com

243 WEST MAIN STREET, NORTHBOROUGH (508) 393-9435 • CRAFTWORKSCOOP.COM

SHREWSBURY

Marble & Granite, Inc.

Give the Gift that Lasts. 50 colors on Sale!

FOR ONE FULL YEAR

No-Hassle Installation Best Selection Best Prices

Keeping it Kleen

Debbie 508-248-7267

FINANCING 0%

Beautiful Carpets... You can LIVE with!

Free Estimates

Free Sink (single bowl) with a minimum of a 40 s/f kitchen)

Largest selection of Marble, Granite & Quartz Silestone, Cambria Ceaserstone, Carrara Marbles Tile, Glass & Mosaic Backsplash ALL MARBLE AND GRANITE ON SITE

1/4 Mile East of Home Depot • Look for the Big Blue Building 620 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9), Shrewsbury | 508-842-9800 Monday - Thursday 8-5; Friday - Saturday 9-4; other times by appointment

WWW.SHREWSBURYMARBLEANDGRANITE.COM

Take 15% off on all regular priced fabric through the end of April, 2020.

FIRST TIME BUYERS RECEIVE:

10% off your order of $50 or more & FREE 3 mo. membership Coupon Code: MYFIRSTORDER

SINCE 1974 Sawyer Brook is an online and in-store fashion fabric service providing high-quality fashion fabrics to professional and hobby sewists around the world.

1031 Boston Post Rd. E Marlborough (978) 368-3133 www.sawyerbrook.com

8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Armendo’s Foreign Auto open at new Boylston location BOYLSTON - Armendo’s Foreign Auto has announced that after being in Westborough for a year and a half, the business has grown and moved to a new, larger location at 590 Main St., Boylston.

Located directly on Rt. 70, at the site of the former location of Baystate Automotive, they are very excited to grow the business in this new space.

“We can’t wait to see you in the new shop,” said owner Chris

Armendo.

The business will still be a full-service auto repair shop specializing in Honda/Acura as well as all Asian car makes for maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs of all automotive systems. Armendo’s is open for business now but currently doing appointment only, no walk ins or waiters, until the surge of COVID-19 cases has subsided.

Call 508-329-6500 to schedule your next appointment.

Synergy Wellness Center

R

ecent world events surrounding the coronavirus have shaken humanity to the core. Everything familiar to us in our day-to-day lives has been washed away by a tsunami of fear, anxiety, and doubt. Even our grief and ways of mourning have been painfully altered. It is also a time when past traumas may be triggered. How do we ride this wave of uncertainty?

As we navigate unchartered territory, many feel a loss of control, but, the truth is, there are things within our control to reduce our stress response and to boost our immune systems.

- First and foremost, give yourself permission to not feel okay. Be gentle with yourself.

- Learn the calming benefits of breath on the nervous system.

- Limit time on social media.

- Avoid tuning into news first thing in the morning and before bedtime.

- Keep to a schedule. Getting off track with sleep and daily routines

REGION - At NAL’S Paint Center, they are committed to supporting the national effort to mitigate the effects of the spread of the coronavirus.

As an essential retailer, they are committed to keeping their stores open to continue to service their customers. If you prefer, you may call in your order and they will have it ready for pickup at your convenience.

They have adjusted some of their business hours.

Visit www.nalspaintcenter.com for more details.

Armendo’s Foreign Auto

Mind, Body, Spirit can increase anxiety and contribute to depression.

- Get fresh air whether taking a walk or sitting by an open window.

- Call a friend or loved one daily.

At Synergy Wellness Center, we offer mental health counseling through Telehealth and accept most major

NAL’S Paint Center is open for business

Reopening following all CDC Guidelines & Safety Measures

Monday May 18th Call ahead for curbside or in-office pickup of herbs, supplements & CBD products.

Modified Hours: Mon. & Wed. 11am-7pm Fridays 9am-4pm We are accepting New Patients and are ready to be of service to our community during these challenging times.

Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for anxiety, stress, and immune support!

(508) 393-1212 411 W Main Street, Suite 2R (Rear of building), Northborough, MA 01532 info@opencirclehealing.com | www.opencirclehealing.com

Tina Marian, RN Integrative Wellness Life Coach insurance. We can assist you with nutritional counseling, traditional Chinese telemedicine consults, energy healing and more. There are also a variety of daily online yoga/meditation classes including Kids’ Yoga and Chair Yoga!

We are here for you. You are not alone. Let’s ride this wave together.

Synergy Wellness Center 45 Main Street, Hudson, MA synergy-wellness-center.com 978-333-7426

RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION & SELF SABOTAGE 30 Years in Psychiatric and Addiction Nursing Offering Holistic Approaches Expert in the Application of EFT Phone & Skype Sessions Available Call for a FREE Phone Consultation

508.523.7132 tmarian@aol.com www.MedicineMyWay.us

DOES YOUR SHOULDER HURT WHEN YOU REACH UP? DO YOU FEEL STRONG PAIN WHEN YOU ROLL OVER IN BED? TREAT MOM TO A MASSAGE AND YOGA 60 Minute Massage: $85 60 Minute Massage + 5 Yoga Classes: $125 Gift cards are available on our website (Click on the purple box at the top of our home page) 45 Main Street, Hudson • (978) 333-7426 synergy-wellness-center.com Call us to schedule

Then join us on Thursday May 21 6–7p.m. for a FREE virtual interactive Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Workshop.

Call 508-393-9000 Today to RSVP!

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Flaherty PT welcomes Dr. Stephen Desio from Desio Sports Medicine of Worcester as part of our May Virtual Workshop. Come learn about how physical therapy, injections or surgery can help your constant shoulder pain.

Flaherty PT is open for in person Physical Therapy or Telehealth PT from the comfort of your own home.

411 West Main Street, Suite 3 Northborough, MA 01532 p: 508-393-9000 w: www.flahertyphysicaltherapy.com

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 9

Family to be on NBC’s Today Show this weekend

By Vicki Greene Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH – During the coronavirus pandemic four members of the Wickman family of Southborough have played an important part on the front lines, working as nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

The Wickmans’ unique story caught the attention of NBC’s Today Show producers who will feature them in a live interview on Friday, May 8, followed by a taped segment to be shown on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10.

Rosemary Wickman has been a nurse for nearly 40 years. She, along with her daughters Katie and Kristina Wickman and son-inlaw, Brad Robillard (who is married to her daughter Jill) all commute together into Boston as they all work the weekends and the same three day, 12-hour shifts. The three sisters all have a child under the age of one as well.

Kristina, speaking for the family, credits her mom with inspiring her and Katie for going into nursing.

“She worked multiple nursing jobs while we were growing up and loved what she did,” Kristina said. “She was able to manage it all and never missed our sports or events.”

All three Wickman girls went through Southborough schools and graduated from Algonquin Regional High School.

Jill Wickman is a lawyer while her husband, Brad Robillard, who went back to school for his nursing degree (and continues to work as a realtor for Keller Williams), is known in the family as

I should ‘knock on wood’ but so far we are all physically fine, but it does take an emotional toll so I’m thankful that we have each other (to lean on). ­— Kristina Wickman Nurse

“the COVID guru,” according to Kristina. He is a floating nurse at Brigham and Women’s and was a member of the team that created the COVID unit at that hospital in March.

Rosemary, her daughters and son-in-law, have been working together for over 10 years and though they all work in different areas of the hospital, they now are all working with COVID patients. They have the same concerns as any working parents, for the safety of their spouses and their young children.

“It’s scary because you don’t know what you’re walking into (at the hospital) every day,” Kristina said.

“You worry about the safety of your kids, but we change at the hospital leaving our scrubs and shoes at work before we all get in the car to come home.”

The girls’ father, Chuck, is retired and prior to the outbreak, ran “Papa’s Daycare,” watching all three grandchildren, all under the age of one, while his wife, two daughters and son-in-law went to work.

“We had a family meeting when the virus hit because

Virtual Author Event May 20 SOUTHBOROUGH – The Southborough Public Library will host a virtual author event with Meredith O’Brien, author of “Uncomfortably Numb: A Memoir,” Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The local Southborough author will discuss her new book about the life-altering impact of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. O’Brien is an award-winning author of three books, and a co-author of one. Her latest book was published in March 2020. She is a journalism faculty member and writing coach at Northeastern University.

Register through Southborough Recreation at http://bit. ly/sblibvirtual3.

my dad is over 60 and we were concerned but decided it was safest to have the kids together rather than placing them in daycare at the hospital,” Kristina said.

“Because Jill can work from home, her baby daughter is able to stay home.”

Rosemary and Katie are both nurse supervisors on the same medical floor but in different areas. However, they both have worked with COVID-positive patients given the demand for rooms.

these are human beings, always treat your patients as if they’re family,’” Kristina said.

Early on, when concern over a lack of PPE made headlines, Kristina said the “outpouring of support from the Southborough community was incredible.” She said people were contacting them and dropping off masks and asking what they could do to support the family.

“I should ‘knock on wood’ but so far we are all physically fine, but it does take an emotional toll so I’m thankful that we have each other (to lean on),” Kristina said.

The family taped the Today Show segment May 1 on the campus of Framingham State University due to social distancing requirements, coupled with the rainy weather that day. The family is scheduled to do a live interview on Friday, May 8, with the taped segment due to be part of the show on Sunday, May 10.

Kristina is an oncology nurse, but said the hospital was able to consolidate oncology beds so she and other staff were moved to the COVID unit. She said the toughest part of her job is handling her feelings of empathy, as she sees sick patients in bed with no family or friends allowed by their side. She also cannot sit and talk with her patients as she has always done.

“I’m used to showing my patients pictures of my kids and talking about their lives and interests but now we’re not allowed to bring anything into the rooms,” she said.

While some may wonder what it’s like to commute to work for years with family members, Kristina said in this time of fear and uncertainty it’s been a blessing.

Her brother-in-law Brad can answer virus-related questions and her mother has been a calming voice.

“My mom always says, ‘I know you’re scared but

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY…

It’s Only Too Late!

Serving the Community since 1980.

• Estate Planning

Full Service Tree Removal Company

• Elder Law • Trusts • Power of Attorney • Health Proxy

Fast Free Estimates All Communication Done Remotely

Mention this ad for a free consultation

508-366-7693 / 508-839-5961 www.templemantree.com owner Steve Stratton

LAW OFFICE OF

Carolyn R. Spring

Expert Hand Climbing Crews

508-898-1835

Removals Pruning Stump Grinding Cabling Fully insured Workman’s Comp

1900 West Park Drive Suite 280 Westborough carolyn@cspringlaw.com

www.cspringlaw.com

LOWE’S VARIETY AND MEAT SHOP, INC.

Support Your Locally Owned Businesses. We Need You!

FRESH MEAT CUT DAILY!

Time for Summer Cookouts • Beef Tips (3 types) er lace ord Please p advance in rs 48 hou p date. of pick u

We offer a full line of cry-o-vac marinated meats including…

• Chicken Tips (4 types)

• Greek Marinated Lamb Tips

Please ask about our BBQ freezer specials NORTHBOROUGH SHOPPING PLAZA 255 West Main Street • Northborough • 508-393-6594

Hood Milk 1%

379

$

gallon

10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Testing at New Horizons at Marlborough reveals zero cases of COVID-19

The Mass. National Guard performed testing at New Horizons in Marlborough.

MARLBOROUGH – Testing by the Mass National Guard at the New Horizons at Marlborough assisted living community on April 28 determined that there were no cases of COVID-19 found.

According to the nonprofit facility, in total, 306 tests were performed on 159 residents and 147 staff members. Results for 301 tests have been reported, all negative except only

one shown as “preliminary negative.” Five samples were broken in transit and these individuals will be retested at a later time.

New Horizons at Marlborough, with an average resident age of 87, was reportedly the largest testing effort for this unit of the Massachusetts National Guard to date. The testing was overseen by Army Major Ryan Lee, a dental officer

providing medical supervision and quality control for testing throughout the commonwealth.

The community limited non-essential visits beginning in early March, ceased group activities, and replaced communal dining with personal room service for all their meals. This 25-year-old facility also implemented daily staff temperature checks, among other steps.

New England Tree Experts ready to assist you REGION - New England Tree Experts are open during the COVID-19 crisis and ready to assist if you have issues with trees threatening your home or with ones that have already fallen on your property.

The company has responded to calls over the last two months where high winds caused large trees to fall, including where huge White The New England Tree Experts crew Pines and Oaks fell on two separate homes. They even used their largest crane to lift an entire tree up and off a customer’s home and property.

Employees take health precautions and socially distance if at all possible. They also specialize in quickly getting the job done, so there’s minimal disruption to those working from home.

What businesses are “essential” can be ambiguous, but when a tree threatens homes or falls, a professional tree removal company like New England Tree Experts is the very definition of the word.

For more information call 508-842-3393.

We can prepare your tax return

REMOTELY

ph

tos

Making a new friend

We prepare personal, small business, rentals, partnerships, S-Corp, trusts & estates.

~Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. ~

SHREWSBURY - Donna Clark of Shrewsbury sent us this charming shot which she said was a “once in a lifetime photo – I enjoyed this moment and hope others do as well.”

We are Open For Takeout and Delivery!

Wednesday-Sunday 4pm-8pm Accepting orders by phone & on line

508-366-8600

www.integritytaxbp.com Or give our office a call at (978)261-5360

Be well. Stay well.

33 East Main Street, Westborough Next to Westborough’s original, historic train station

(508) 366-8600 • Tavolinosrestaurant.us

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 11

COMMUNITYSCHOOLS SHS students engage with school alumni about life after high school

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY – Long before remote learning became the norm statewide, an initiative was in the works at Shrewsbury High School (SHS) to connect students with school alumni in a mentoring capacity. The goal was to provide current students a way to engage in informal discussions with graduates about life after high school.

The program officially began April 20 and was developed by Assistant School Superintendent Dr. Jane Lizotte who said that the stay-athome guidelines set forth by Governor Baker during the COVID-19 pandemic offered a perfect timing to rollout this initiative because many people were home and could participate in the discussions

I have been amazed by the level of engagement and enthusiasm on the part of both alumni and students. We are just really grateful to those who have signed up. ­— Dr. Jane Lizotte Assistant School Superintendent from home.

“Clearly here the silver lining is that people are not only willing and available to engage in these conversations but they look forward to them,” Lizotte said.

These discussions involved regular and structured exploration and information sharing in online webinars that foster and explore potential opportunities for work, career and continuing education “in light of the individual student’s interests, curiosities,

strengths and skills,” according to Lizotte.

The idea was to run the program for about a week. It was open to sophomores, juniors and seniors and more than 100 students had signed up.

Communication to school alumni was sent out through several avenues. Fifty-five graduates from a variety of industries, including aviation, real estate, computer programming, medicine, teaching, military, business and criminal justice, participated.

Most were eager to share their experiences.

“I have been amazed by the level of engagement and enthusiasm on the part of both alumni and students,” Lizotte noted. “We are just really grateful to those who have signed up.”

Lizotte shared that she could hear the excitement in the voices of the students.

She credited Kathleen Keohane and Michelle Biscotti, development and volunteer coordinators for the school district, for their work in setting up the infrastructure of the program. They served as program administrators and session moderators.

Students and alumni were each asked to fill out a survey relevant to their experiences upon their completion of the program.

The feedback from the

alumni was positive in general. Many liked the format and the timing and thought that students asked great questions and were comfortable asking them. One thought that students benefitted from alumni having a wide variety of backgrounds and careers.

From the student perspective, comments were again positive.

“When asked, all students and alumni surveyed said they would participate again,” Lizotte said.

“I thought everything went well! Hopefully the next time we get to do this it will be in person,” one alumnus said.

“I felt that this gave students even more opportunities to be heard, be seen and engage in those small group conversations where I think they are getting an awful lot of helpful information.”

EVERSHINE DENTAL GROUP

We are open for take out 11:00 am to 8 pm daily

100 MLK Jr. Blvd.

Suite 100 Worcester MA 01608

508-366-8302

(774) 243-7782 www.evershinedental.com

HARRY’S RESTAURANT

Parking validated

Dr. Sahana Ramos, DMD

149 Turnpike Rd. (Route 9W) • Westborough

Quality care you can trust!

WWW.HARRYSRESTAURANT.COM We hope to see you soon!

HEALTHY, CHALLENGING, SOCIAL DISTANCING Juniper Hill is a 36 Hole Golf course and we have plenty of room.

Juniper Hill Golf Course

508.393.2444 202 Brigham St. Northboro www.juniperhillgc.com

Find us on

A central air system from Al’s…

How do you think your neighbors got to be so cool? l Cal ! ay d o T

Still Locally Owned & Serving Worcester County for Over 60 Years!

Because We Care.

We accept most major credit cards

LOWEST PRICES • FULL-SERVICE • 24-HR EXPERT BURNER SERVICE

508-753-7221 • ALSOILSERVICE.com

12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Aging Gracefully

by MariAnn Paladino, Dir. of Admissions, Notre Dame Long Term Care

seniors on the

move

MAKE A LIST “What’s on your bucket list?” is a phrase often heard. A bucket list, or a list of things you want to do before you “kick the bucket,” is really about living. What do you want to accomplish, experience, or explore in the future? When you make these kinds of creative, thought-provoking lists, you benefit from the simple fact that it brings your ideas into focus.

You can talk about and reflect on the list. Planning is required for some experiences, such as saving money for a trip or learning some French for that trip.

Suddenly, you find yourself achieving much more than you thought possible. Writing these goals down and focusing on them brings them to life.

After retirement and into our later years is actually a great time to set personal goals because we’re no longer bound by responsibilities like work and raising children. But we also want to make the most of the time and energy we invest. While it’s a great idea to set goals that are challenging and that require us to reach beyond our comfort zones, it’s also important for these goals to realistically match our abilities.

NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER is committed to providing residents with opportunities that enrich and enhance their well-being. Please call (508) 852-3011 to learn more about our long term care center at 559 Plantation Street.

P.S. A fun way to approach a bucket list is to ask yourself, “What road did my original goal take me down? What benefits did I inadvertently enjoy? Where did the detours take me?”

A Caring Community for Elders Goddard House provides gracious Homestead Hall provides personal senior living in our studio, one, care, medication management, and and two bedroom apartments social programs in a residential in a historic home in Worcester. homelike environment. All rooms Residents of the Goddard House are private with private en-suite enjoy three chef prepared meals half-baths. Set on over an acre of daily in our restaurant style dinland in a secluded, private, residening room, trips to Mechanic tial setting in the heart of Worcester.

Hall, restaurants, museums, and Please contact Tracey King at other locations, availability of 508-868-0967 for a private staff 24-hours, and emergency tour and information regarding call system in options and pricing.

Goddard / each apartment.

Homestead

WESTBOROUGH

508-836-4354 NATICK • NORTHBOROUGH NORTHBRIDGE • WESTBOROUGH

www.SalmonHealthAndRetirement.com

• An 82-bed skilled nursing center that feels like home • Personalized care • Dedicated, compassionate staff • Relationships with local hospitals and insurance providers • Strong clinical team providing specialized care – wounds, IV, complex medical management

Knollwood

Nursing Center YOUR PARTNERS IN CARE

508-853-6910 87 Briarwood Circle, Worcester

www.knollwoodnursingcenter.com

Knollwood

Call us at… 508-852-2670

www.briarwoodretirement.com

A caring community for elders

(508)868-0967 www.goddardhomestead.org

A Commitment That Lasts a Lifetime With six Elder Law attorneys and six offices, we are able to counsel you and your family through stressful life transitions, and create plans that anticipate future changes.

New Lifestyle Options!

508-281-8001

Lauren E. Miller, Esq.

Elder Law Attorney 508.459.8044 lmiller@fletchertilton.com

Attorneys at law Worcester | Framingham | Boston | Cape Cod Medfield | Providence

99 Pleasant St., Marlborough

FletcherTilton.com

www.christopherheights.com

Focused on Excellence In Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Care A Preferred Choice in Central Mass

Cottages ~ Apartments Assisted Living Services Available

A Legacy of Providing Exceptional Senior Care Since 1874 For information contact Tracey King at

Health Care

508-393-5655

Healthy Senior Living at its BEST!

INDEPENDENT LIVING • REST HOME • RESPITE CARE

Long Term Care 559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 508.852.3011 · notredamehealthcare.org

NORTHBOROUGH

West Boylston

Goddard / Homestead

Notre Dame

A SSIST ED L IVIN G RESIDEN CE S

On 50 beautiful acres in Worcester and

Call us today for a tour!

This state of the art facility offers 45 Skilled Nursing residences and 22 Assisted Living residences designed for individuals with memory loss. We are driven by a passion for excellence and a sense of family.

“I want to thank you for the compassion, care, and dignity that you provided for my dad during the past year and-a-half. Staff members extended their hearts and hands in whatever way he needed to live each day with dignity.”

112 West Main Street, Northborough | 508-351-9355 | www.colemanhouse.com

Trusted Like Family Home Care, Inc.

Trust Our Family With Your Family

Are you or a loved one in need of care services, but are concerned about COVID-19?

• As an essential business, we continue to serve our clients • We’re taking a wide range of precautions to help ensure the continued safety of both our clients and caregivers • All care services are provided in the safety and security of the client’s home

Contact us today to see how we can help you!

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 13

COMMUNITYSCHOOLS Grafton officials warn of ‘devasting’ cuts if override is not approved Override | from page 1

be $50 higher than it is today.

This exceeds a limit of annual tax rate increases of just 2.5 percent set in state legislation back in 1980.

The town secured a similar override in 2014. Six years later, though, officials and advocates alike say another one is necessary.

“We find ourselves in need, again, of more tax revenue to just maintain our services,” Elizabeth Spinney, the chair of the private political group YES Grafton said during the May 3 meeting.

Should that revenue never come, Spinney, Cummings, and Selectman Peter Carlson said, the town could see major cuts across its departments.

Class sizes in schools, Cummings said, could soar past 30 students per-room, exceeding

Our current reality is obviously fraught with unknowns. We don’t know what things will look like next year and we don’t know what our financial situation will look like. ­— Jay Cummings Superintendent the guidance of many education experts as teachers get laid off. Athletic programs could be all but eliminated. Academically, entire arts, music and tech programs could end up on the chopping block as well.

“We’ve done an exceptional job in creating a strong educational environment with one of the lowest amounts of funding in the state,” Cummings said. “[But] districts that are faced with multi-year reductions,

simply cannot prevent eventual failure.”

Warnings, though, didn’t end with the public schools.

Carlson, said, similarly, that the town’s fire and police departments are already struggling, severely underfunded.

Training costs, he said, have spiked since the September 11 attacks in 2001. And money for necessary safety equipment has long since been stripped out of annual base budgets.

Now, such purchases must first be approved at town meetings, risking a scenario, Carson said, where first responders could face life threatening emergencies without up-to-date equipment.

“These things are crucial to maintaining a functional fire department,” he said, explaining Proposition 2-1/2 could create a safer environment for staff.

As advocates of a “yes” vote speak, some have voiced dissent particularly in unofficial Facebook groups dedicated to the Town of Grafton.

Several people voiced concerns about the size of contracts and recent raises for high level town employees.

At least one local voiced concerns about the impacts of COVID-19 on all this, worrying the town could blow through its newly gained tax revenue

Gold at Highest in 7 years!

SELLING • Canadian Maple Leafs $2.00 an ounce over spot price • US Silver Eagles Starting at $3.00 over spot price • 999 Silver Buffalos at $2.00 over spot price • 100’s of Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars • Large selection of Silver & Gold Coins & Bullion

OPEN

FOR

LOAN S

& BU

faster than expected in a postpandemic economy.

Cummings addressed that latter concern May 3, acknowledging the uncertainty it referenced.

“Our current reality is obviously fraught with unknowns,” he said. “We don’t know what things will look like next year and we don’t know what our financial situation will look like.”

Ultimately, though, Cummings concluded, “We don’t have enough funding and we need to either secure additional funding, or decrease our offerings.”

Voters will weigh in on Proposition 2.5 via town election on Tuesday, June 23. Prior to that election, those interested in learning more may visit Yes Grafton’s website, YesGrafton. com.

The more time you spend thinking about yourself, the more suffering you will experience. ~ Dalai Lama

YS O

CASH FOR GOLD, SILVER & DIAMONDS TRADING & LOAN CO. Your Friendly Full Service Pawnbroker

•BUY NLY •SELL •LOAN

109 Main St. in Hudson | 978.562.1068 | www.hudsonpawnbrokers.com

Brought to you as a community service by Robert J. Terkanian ~ ad design by Tina Berthiaume, Community Advocate art dept.

WE WILL PAY CASH FOR MOST GIFT CARDS | WE BUY ESTATES & MAKE HOUSE CALLS

. x a l e R

Cabin Fever? Let Us Create Your Dream Outdoor Living Space, And......

Celebrating school spirit WESTBOROUGH - Eveling Arias Benitez took this photo of her two sons May 1 as they awaited the parade organized by staff at Westborough’s Armstrong Elementary School that then visited students’ neighborhoods. Francisco is a senior at Westborough High while Alejandro is in the third grade (and WHS class of 2029).

508-842-7110 508-835-2020 mccarthyslandscaping.com

• Walls • Patios • Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Ponds • Fountains • Walkways

500 off

$

toward your full house exterior painting!

Expires 9/1/20

JAMESON’S

PAINTING

• CAN DO ESTIMATES BY FACETIME OR BY PHONE • PRESSURE WASHING • CLEAN GUTTER/WINDOWS • FREE ESTIMATE • RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

508-816-8180

www.jamesonspainting.com

14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

School nurses deliver school lunches by bus Right: Thank you signs posted to greet nurses delivering lunches.

By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY ELLEN DUGGAN

NORTHBOROUGH/SOUTHBOROUGH - Schools closed on March 13 due to the COVID-19 concerns and since then further restrictions and closings have been put into place. The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough was quick to respond and devise initiatives for remote learning and effectively address concerns and questions.

One major concern was ensuring that students who relied on school lunches would have that basic need met during the closure.

When the program originally started, families signed up and picked up lunches at the locations where the food was being prepared - Algon-

Below: Proctor School nurse Diane Gage

Southborough School nurses Deb Parsons (Neary School), Trish Frutman (Finn School), Kim Bowker (Trottie Middle School) and Kelly Kiley (Woodward School)

quin Regional High School in Northborough or P. Brent Trottier Middle School in Southborough.

This was extended to all families in the school district facing immense challenges to offset the needs of their fami-

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.

PLEASE SUBMIT PHOTOS BY MONDAY, MAY 11

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

lies. The remote lunch program is targeted to families that are in distress or under hardship.

District Director of Wellness Mary Ellen Duggan said the original pick up arrangement generated concerns of too many people and too much contact. An alternate plan was quickly formed to have school nurses deliver lunches directly

to students at home by bus.

“It has worked out well,” said Duggan. “Using the buses eliminated contact and it helps to provide lunch to those families without transportation.

The cafeteria workers are the unsung heroes behind the scenes; they are making and bagging all the lunches.”

Utilizing current bus drivers already familiar with the neighborhood routes assisted to smoothly facilitate the plan.

Two lunches per student are Lunches | 15

CAMP & ACTIVITY GUIDE The Dance Center Offers A Variety Of Programs Throughout The Summer...

Serving ages 4½ -16 years old.

Check out our complete brochure on-line!

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester

www.massaudubon.org/broadmeadow Camp Director:

508-753-6087 x5013

“A Royal Affair” Join us for an adventure through your favorite Disney stories. We will dance our way through beloved stories like Aladin, The Little Mermaid, Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Moana! We will dance, play, craft, and most importantly make new friends and have fun!

• Ages 2.5-4, 9-10:30a.m. & Ages 5-8, 11-1:00 p.m.

• July 13th-16th or Aug 10th-13th.

We will be offering a 5 week session of dance with variety of classes for beginner thru advanced dancers ages 2 and up.

Diane Cournoyer VisitNorthborodance@gmail.com our website for more information Dance Center 386 West Main Street , Northboro NorthboroDance.com or call… 508-873-5944

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 15

School nurses deliver lunches Lunches | from page 14

WHS offers creative thanks WESTBOROUGH - Westborough High School Student Council members are used to doing acts of kindness themselves in their community. But with the pandemic, they are of course not in school now. So they used their time to create a collage to thank different groups of first responders.

delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Currently, there are 320 students (160 families) receiving this support.

“Every student who needs lunch will have it,” said Duggan. “It also keeps bus drivers working. Families are thankful for the program. The nurses have received thank you notes on the door, chalk messages on the driveway or a wave from the window.”

Another important intention of having the school nurses deliver lunches is the opportunity for a wellbeing check on students to ensure the family is healthy and has everything they need.

Duggan said that if there are specific students who have not checked in online for classes for a few days, nurses are notified and can check in on them.

The school district can also deliver technology devices to students as requested to access remote learning and deliver the

Northborough Rotary Club’s Nutrition 68 food boxes to families every few weeks using the bus drop offs.

“It has been rewarding for the nurses as well as for the students to see a familiar face and connect from a distance,” said Duggan. “We are happy to be able to assist our community at this time.”

Duggan also wants to ensure that families know that if their circumstances change and they need the lunch program or access to student technology, they can sign up anytime and bus routes are adjusted accordingly. She noted that 17 new families were added in Northborough alone in the last week.

Information on the District’s remote learning platform NSBORO Connect 2.0, the lunch and technology programs, or to ask the nurse a question can be accessed on the District website at www. nsboro.k12.ma.us. Follow the Teaching/Learning tab to the NSBORO Connect 2.0 link.

TAX STRATEGY | INVESTMENT SERVICES | RETIREMENT

Celebrating

30

years!

LOCAL, INDEPENDENT, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS

Learn More Call 508.795.0264 www.CarrFinancial.net

Located at 20 Park Avenue Worcester, MA 01605

FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY State of the art practice providing dental treatment for all ages.

- Preventive Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry - Restorative Dentistry

Eat, kiss, and smile with more confidence.

H A P P I L Y A C C E P T I N G N E W PAT I E N T S

- Cosmetic Dentistry - Implant Dentistry

Our office is temporarily closed but available to see patients on an emergency basis.

Please contact the office at 508-842-8100 or visit us on Facebook for more detail and updates.

Songbirddental.com | 555 Main Street, Shrewsbur y

HEATING FUEL

We are open and serving our customers!

Visit us online for payments, scheduling and important information regarding service calls. We hope you and your family and friends remain healthy. Together, we can get through this temporary crisis as safely and comfortably as possible.

Thank you for your continued trust in us.

Gas, Oil and AC Sales & Service

888-818-2028 www.coanoil.com

*Equipment rebates and financing provided by and subject to Mass Save Restrictions and Limitations

16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Zeh School holds an online food drive for food pantry

Chamber congratulates scholarship recipients 2020 Scholarship Recipients (l to r): Dante Colonero, Shrewsbury High School; Nicole Alexander, Westborough High School; Joseph Zhang, Algonquin Regional High School; Helen Cai, Westborough High School; Lauren Chandler, Westborough High School; Tanishka Indorekar, Westborough High School; Sam Robert, Algonquin Regional High School; Holly Carew, Westborough High School; Sean McQuade, Shrewsbury High School; Nadia Wong, Algonquin Regional High School; Alexey Khotimsky, Westborough High School; Lauren Robert, Algonquin Regional High School; Alex Milligan, Shrewsbury High School; Grace Tang, Algonquin Regional High School; and Quinn Potter, Algonquin Regional High School.

By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Food Pantry relies on donations to continue to support families in need. Local churches and schools, which typically hold regular food collections, have not been able to do so due to the COVID-19 closures. The number of families using the food pantry has also increased during the pandemic.

Marion E. Zeh School’s Principal Advisory Committee led by Principal Amy Souls decided to be creative and organized a two week online food drive using a wish list on Amazon, which was shared with the Zeh School community.

Instrumental in the effort was school nurse Susan Berger.

All items ordered were shipped directly to Berger’s home and she arranged a delivery time with Food Pantry volunteers.

“The community response has been amazing,” said Berger.

“The donations have come from many families, some outside of the walls of Zeh School. To date there have been 1,091 items collected and the donations are still coming in.”

The first round of donations were delivered on April 28, and

“Two-Channel Connection”

Shannon Berger with one of the car loads of donated food items.

filled three vehicles. Berger will continue to deliver items as they arrive, since some items had delivery delays.

“The food pantry is so dependent on and grateful for the generosity of our community,” said Food Pantry Assistant Director and Northborough Southborough Public Schools Director of Wellness Mary Ellen Duggan. “Companies have also stepped up with monetary donations.”

Berger said that details on the next Zeh School community service project are being finalized, but they will be collecting donations for animal shelters.

Additional information on the food pantry can be found at www.nfpantry.org.

Submitted by the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce REGION - The Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber is proud to present the recipients of our 2020 Scholarship awards. A total of $15,000 was awarded in scholarships to graduating high school students who reside in one of the Chamber’s core towns and are pursuing a career in business, demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, and have work experience.

Proceeds for the scholarships were raised from the generous sponsors and supporters of the Chamber’s Annual School/Business Partnership Golf Tournament. Special thanks to Central One Federal Credit Union as the title sponsor of the tournament, Howard Grossman of Grossman Development as the contributor to the Lakeway Commons Scholarship Fund for Shrewsbury students, and the Robert J. Lemieux Trust Fund supporting our students with financial need.

Since 1986, the Chamber has awarded a total of $378,056 in scholarships to 513 students.

SUPER CROSSWORD

Answers to puzzle located on p. 19

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 17

COMMUNITYOBITUARIES Luis F. Torres 1SG USA (RET), 84 WESTBOROUGH - Luis F. Torres, 1SG USA (RET), 84, of Westborough, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was the husband of the late Berji (Ohan) Torres.

He is survived by three children, his daughter and son-inlaw, Julie and Harry Johnston of Woburn; his son and daughterin-law, James and Suzanne Torres of Westerly, R.I.; and his daughter, Susan Fontes of Scituate, as well as one brother, Fernando Torres of Puerto Rico, and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Myrna Torres.

A private graveside service with Military Honors will take place in the Veteran’s Grove Section of Pine Grove Cemetery, Westborough. A memorial Mass will be planned for a later date.

Pickering & Son Funeral Homes of Westborough is assisting with arrangements.

Rand A Marsden, 88 SHREWSBURY - Rand A Marsden, 88, passed away April 14, 2020. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Dolores; four children, Gail Morgan, Randy, Kevin and Jay Marsden; and three sisters, Judi Tyler, Jean Hunt and Fay Bahmermann. He was predeceased by a sister, Carol Caefer, and a brother, Wallace Marsden.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Richard P. Rossi, 77 S O U T H B O ROUGH - Richard P. Rossi, 77, a lifelong resident of Southborough, died April 22, 2020 at Metro West Medical Center in Framingham. He was the son of the late Frank J. and Lena (Bartolini) Rossi.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Rossi of Southborough; his longtime girlfriend, Anne Barron of Southborough and Florida; his uncle, Redio Bartolini; his aunts, Peggy Bartolini and Kathy Bartolini; his

former wife, Janet Cunningham, all of Southborough; and his many, many cousins. He was predeceased by his daughter, Tina M. Rossi, who passed away in 2004, and his brother, Frank “Panti” Rossi.

All services are private. Burial will be in the Southborough Rural Cemetery with his daughter.

Arrangements are under the care of the Morris Funeral Home of Southborough.

Rita Pocius, 96 GRAFTON - Rita (Grigas) Pocius, 96, passed away April 21, 2020 at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Northbridge. Her husband, John P. Pocius, passed away in 2011.

Rita is survived by her son, John Pocius and his wife Diane; daughter Nancy Goodspeed and her husband Stephen; her grandchildren Sarah Glispin, wife of Brian, Tara Pocius and Katherine Dauphinais, wife of Jeff; and her great-grandchildren, Lyla and Kendall Dauphinais and Haley Glispin. She was predeceased by her grandson, Adam Goodspeed.

Rita’s Funeral Mass and burial will be private at a later date. There are no calling hours.

Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton is assisting with arrangements.

Lucille Loomis, 89 WESTBOROUGH - Lucille Martha (North) Loomis, 89, of Westborough, passed away April 17, 2020 at Notre Dame Health Care in Worcester. She was the wife of the late Robert “Bob” M. Loomis to whom she was married for 65 years.

Lucille is survived by her children, Donald Loomis and fiancée Diane Michlig of San Jose, Calif., William Loomis and wife Cait of Mount Holly, N.C., Jeannie Smith and husband Ronald of Westborough, James Loomis and wife Hsing-Mei of Las Vegas, Nev., Garry Loomis of Lansing, Mich., and David Loomis of Okemos, Mich., as well as 10 grandchildren, Seven great-grandchildren, and many caring nieces, nephews and friends. She is also survived by her twin brother, Donald North and wife Marianna of Roseville,

Calif., and was predeceased by her brother, Robert North of Redondo Beach, Calif. Lucille was well loved and will be greatly missed by all.

Lucille’s services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Pickering & Son Funeral Home of Westborough is assisting with arrangements.

Catherine Hawley, 77 C H A R LT O N - Kathy “Bub” Hawley, formerly Kathy Smith, 77, of Charlton, but most notably of Northborough, died April 23, 2020 in Boston.

She leaves behind a tribe of close-knit family members, including her husband of 26 years, Ted Hawley; adoring children Dean Smith, Kevin Smith, Tammy Gleeson and son-in-law Bob Gleeson; stepchildren Jason and Mark Hawley; grandchildren Hannah Sheehan and husband Dave, Michael Gleeson, and the boy she helped mold into the young man he is today, Christopher Cody Smith and his girlfriend Maddie; greatgranddaughter and apple of her eye, Haddie Mae; sisters and best friends Janet “J.O.” Yellick, Sandra “Gladys” Arsenault and Lisa “Trill” Wheeler; brothers James Flanders, Dan “Poncho” Flanders and Brian “Beef” Flanders; Aunt and Uncle Evelyn and Ernie Sawyer; mother-in-law Betty Hawley; ex-husband and friend Bob “Leafy” Smith; life-

long friend Barbara Goodnow; niece and friend Nicole Hoffman; and countless other nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends that were blessed to have her in their lives. She also leaves behind her well-loved pets that will miss her dearly.

A service and celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury is assisting with arrangements.

Joseph Hehir, 89

Tuesday March 17, 1931 Thursday April 23, 2020 NORTHBOROUGH – Joseph Hehir, 89, simply known to all as “Joe,” a longtime Northborough resident, passed away peacefully at Dodge Park Rest Home in Worcester after a period of declining health. He was the loving husband of 54 years to Helen M. (Sullivan) Hehir, until death separated them in 2010.

Joseph is survived his loving children, Sean Hehir of Campbell, Calif., Mary Spreadbury and her husband Kevin of Worcester, and Patricia Flaum and her husband Marc of Acton; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Michael, Patrick and Thomas Hehir.

Due to the current coronavirus restrictions on group gatherings, all services at this time will be private. Joseph will be entombed in the mausoleum of St. John’s Cemetery. A memorial Mass at and time to remember and celebrate Joseph’s life will

be set for a future date. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough is assisting with arrangements.

Robert Greenlaw, 85 MARLBOROUGH - Robert Prescott Greenlaw, 85, died April 20, 2020 after a period of failing health. He was the husband of the late Barbara Ann (Oxner) Greenlaw, who died in 1972.

They were married for 15 years.

He is survived by his five children, Christine L. Wiggin and her husband Richard of Marlborough, Harold C. Greenlaw and his wife Audrey of Marlborough, Mark Greenlaw and his wife Debra of Sudbury, Bonnie Marra and her husband Anthony of Smithfield, R.I., and Russell W. Greenlaw and his wife Katherine of West Brookfield; 13 grandchildren, Barbara Copeland, April Paredes, Robert Marra, Sarah Maleve , Richard Wiggin, Michael Marra, Jessica Graham, Celia Greenlaw, Coen Greenlaw, Kate Greenlaw, Monica Greenlaw, Robert Greenlaw, and Isabelle Greenlaw; and 10 great-grandchildren, Sophia Paredes, Carter Copeland, Eduardo Paredes, Briana Marra, Eleanor Wiggin, Robert Marra Jr., Charles Copeland, Asher Wiggin, Jackson Malave, and Alyssia Paredes. He was predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Parslow, and his brother, Wilbert D. Greenlaw.

Robert’s family will be celebrating his life in a private service at a later date. The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough is assisting with arrangements.

POLICELOG Shrewsbury

Wednesday, April 29 1:11 a.m. Arrested, Keith L. Glover, 43, of 33 John St., Apt. 1, Worcester, on warrant.

Hudson

Friday, April 24 2:44 a.m. Arrested, Devin P. Dube, 23, of 10 Munson St., Hudson, for home invasion, deface property, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace.

Saturday, April 25 6:21 p.m. Arrested, Caroline T. Thompson, 39, 11 Bearhill Rd., Newton, N.H., for shoplifting by

asportation 2nd off., warrant.

Westborough

Saturday, April 25 9:21 p.m. Arrested, Janelle L. Broderick, 29, of 152 N Beacon, Apt. B3, Brighton, for OUIliquor or .08% 2nd offense, OUIdrugs, possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation, negligent operation of motor vehicle.

Marlborough

Friday, April 24 7:33 p.m. Arrested, Nicole Scarnato League, 33, of 19 Bronte Way, Apt. 32J, Marlbor-

ough, for OUI-liquor or .08%.

Saturday, April 25 7:36 a.m. Arrested, Todd R. McIntyre, 47, of 28 Ewald St., Marlborough, on warrant.

Sunday, April 26 8:53 a.m. Arrested, Carlos N. Rosado, 31, of 87B Broadmeadow Rd., Apt. 1, Marlborough, on warrant.

Tuesday, April 28 3:00 a.m. Arrested, Amanda A. Lopes, 21, of 89 Wilson St., Apt. 2B, Marlborough, for possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation, open container of marijuana in vehicle, OUI-drugs.

18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

homes

more

This is a paid advertisement

Pass the Corona (virus)

By Gary L. Kelley, Realtor®

I

wish we could all pass on the Coronavirus and return to the way life was before while holding on to the kindness & caring we have rediscovered and not losing people.

Alas, we are learning to live with the virus.

Gary Kelley,

REALTOR® 508-733-6005 MoveWithGary.com

Gary@MoveWithGary.com

NEED PAINTING & WOOD STAINING? Do it right the first time!

E.W. GEmmE & SonS Co. InC. “Gemme Painting since 1907”

BOOK NOW for EXTERIOR PAINTING and CARPENTRY 508-839-4775

Visit Our Website: www.ewgemmeandsons.com MA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LIC 125150 FULLY INSURED

At this writing (4/24) we are still in the surge in Massachusetts. Many towns are requiring masks when outside, and you are in the minority when not wearing a mask in a store.

The most recent stay at home advisory ends May 4, and I am not sensing a great Cinco de Mayo! Gov. Baker has closed school building for the rest of the school year, and we await how we can lower the shields.

What was the impact on real estate? Real estate agents want to project bravado and say all is well…stay calm (like Kevin Bacon in Animal House before being run over by the cake.) Here is the truth: there was an impact.

Business retracted like the week between Christmas and New Year’s. That said, houses going on the market tended to get offers because we are still low on inventory. Luxury homes are slower to recover.

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.

• AUTOMOBILE • HOMEOWNER • BUSINESS CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE INSURANCE QUOTE!

Getting the best insurance rates in Massachusetts is No Accident A NAME YOU CAN TRUST

We Specialize in Personal Insurance including Coastal Locations and Prestige Programs for High Value Homes.

Northeast INsuraNce ageNcy Residential & Commercial High Security Automobile Key Copying Call us at 508-481-2644 57 Florence St, Marlborough www.marlborolocksmith.com

Colonial Plaza 45 East Main Street

WESTBOROUGH

508-898-2902

Heritage Mall 567 Southbridge Street

AUBURN

508-832-0404

WWW.NEINSURE.COM

Now we are returning to prior levels. Showing Time, an appointment center used by many and not all agents, showed a 37.6 % decrease in weekly showings as of March 29 compared to a 30.2% increase in 2019. A huge swing. On April 23, the 2020 weekly showing stats were down 5% compared to up28.5% in 2019. Still a gap and heading in a better direction.

I f s om e on e w a n t s o r needs to sell their home, this is a great time. Inventory and interest rates are still low. We can do many things to limit exposure. That said, eventually a buyer will need to come in the house. While we can do our best to spray Lysol and clean doorknobs and light switches, limit touching, wear masks & booties making even Dr. Fauci proud, we c annot guarantee someone dripping COVID-19 will not go in the house. For sellers where this is an untenable risk, we recommend either waiting or moving out of the house.

For others understanding the risk and comfortable with and helping with the mitigations, now may be a great time to buy or sell.

O thers have asked if prices are dropping. What I am seeing are buyers looking for a bargain, and sellers saying no bargains. There is

often a gap between buyers and sellers, it is sometimes more pronounced and addressable.

It seems this virus thing is going to be around for a while and surging along. As a society we need to learn to live with the virus. Closings are still happening every day.

In these difficult times I am grateful to have the opportunity to help buyers and sellers with their housing needs. If you need to discuss your housing situation we can hop on a phone or zoom call and chat.

Stay sanitized!

I’m not a huge fan of Z i l l o w, e t c f o r b u y e r s .

Here is an app for your phone/tablet tied directly to the MLS https://www. homesnap.com/Gary-Kelley Gary is heard on WCRN AM 830 discussing “All Things Real Estate.”

If you need advice on selling your home or buying a new one, give us a call 508-733-6005.

Kelley is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) and awardwinning Realtor. He invites you to follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ MoveWithGary/ www.MoveWithGary.com Gary@MoveWithGary.com 508-733-6005

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020 • 19

Place your FOR SALE AD with us!

50,000 readers will see what you have to sell – a 1"x2" ad (reg. $31.50) for $20 per week! ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

CLASSIFIED

To learn more about placing a classified advertisement, please contact Mary Ellen

508-366-5500 x17 or email Classified@CommunityAdvocate.com * classified deadline is friday at noon, one week prior to publication date

@communityadvocate.com

Home Repair & Maintenance

Services Guitars

Handcrafted & Custom

Repair of All Stringed Instruments

978-833-6383

Grafton, MA www.beckwithstrings.com

Convert Your Camcorder

Tapes to DVDs!

Full Service Electrician Licensed & Insured

ALL PLUMBING REPAIRS INCLUDING:

r 1SFDJTJPO 8PSL

Beckwith Strings

Tamburro Electrical

Need a Message of Hope?

Inspirational Messages

24 H Hours E Everyday d

Call Dial-A-Friend

(508) 852-5242

WELDING A L L M E TA L S

10 % off

• Water Heater Replacement • Gas Appliance Installation • Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling HEAT: Radiant Floor Systems Oil and Gas Fired Heating System

for 1st time services

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES

774-329-9088

Phone: (508)798-6735 Cell: (508)726-4846

tamburroelectric@gmail.com

MPL #12257 JPL # 23460 BU#141619

JUNK REMOVAL CLEANOUTS All Metal Appliances Taken for Free

MA Lic #53270

Preferred Painting

Transfer any format Including Movie Film & Audio Tape.

I also fix your broken tapes.

Please call Jeff

Aluminum, Stainless and Cast Iron. Small jobs while you wait.

Northborough

Trailer Dumpsters Available for On-site Rental

www.northboromedia.com

-(508)-

25 Years of Experience Interior/Exterior Free Estimates Quality Workmanship Affordable Rates

ATC SERVICES

Joseph Lucier

508-393-9440

“Tape is not forever! �

CALL NOW!

jeffward@northboromedia.com

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

393-6816

Celebrating 35 Years in Business 150 Shrewsbury St. Boylston

1-800-338-2578 www.fullerrv.com

774-462-2671 www.atcjunkremoval.com

PET SITTING

CALL 508-826-2454

Molly Pazareskis 10% off for First Time Customer. www.caninefam.com

This Thisweek’s week’s Super Super Crossword Crossword is is on page 16 on page 22.

SHREWSBURY, MA

508-842-3393 Tree Removal Tree Trimming Stump Grinding

Owner/Painter

508-873-5930

Josephlucier57yahoo.com

¡ Spring Cleanup ¡ Lawn Maintenance ¡ Tree and Shrub Plantings ¡ Lawn Installation/ Renovation ¡ Fertilization ¡ Walkways/Patios • Bark Mulch Free Estimates • Fully Insured

Satisfaction Guaranteed

508-263-9993 Sales@jhienterprises.com

www.jhilandscape.com

FREE ESTIMATES! COOK SERVICES

800-485-7410 SOUTHBORO, MA

support LOCAL

business

INSTALLED Design, Repairs & Installation

Affordable Estate Fencing 15 years experience.

Locally Owned & Operated.

MOHAWK FENCE Mike O’Brien

508-614-5507

email: Mike@Mohawkfence.com

10% off for 1st time customer

Johnson ainting P

• • •

Interior/Exterior Powerwashing Deck Staining, etc.

Over 20 years experience Very Dependable • Licensed & Insured • Family Operated Jim.johnson43@yahoo.com

www.treeserviceworcesterma.com

Call Jim 508-581-0794

LAWN BOYZ

AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS & INSTALLATION

CANINE, FELINE & MORE

FULLER RV RENTALS & SALES CLASS A, B & C MOTORHOMES TRAILERS PARTS • PROPANE TRANSPORTATION

(with every clean out job)

NEW ENGLAND

FENCES

LANDSCAPING Home Improvement Professionals

508-410-2756

All Types of Home Repair & Remodeling Odd Jobs, Maintenance & Much More!

• Spring Clean up/Mulching • Lawn Renovations • Walkways/Patios/Walls • Trimming • Designing & Sprinkler install • Bobcat services

Licensed Bonded Insured

lawnbz@gmail.com

YOU NAME IT WE DO IT!

(508) 366-3690 www.mrhandyman.com MA HIC #146014 /Â MA CS #107504

Help Wanted

Shamrock Masonry Chimneys & Small Repairs Only

Senior Citizen Discount

'SFF &TUJNBUFT r 'VMMZ *OTVSFE

(508) 852-7048

www.shamrockmasonry.com

3 3DUW WLPH Ă H[LEOH 3 3HUHQQLDO JDUGHQV 3 3OHDVDQW HQYLURQV 3 1RUWKERURXJK 3 ([SHULHQFH KHOSIXO

Weekend CNAs /HHAs

day & evening shifts available.

Experienced Cook, full-time w/

benefits. Hours W-Su 10a-6:30p. Call Kulli 508-281-8001

EXW QRW UHTXLUHG

508.393.2044

ROOFING

Perfecting the art of keeping your home dry!

NEW ROOFS RE-ROOFS GUTTER CLEANING ICE DAM REMOVAL 508-393-1868 Lic # 134804

Get your chimney cleaned or Any 1 Flue Cleaned

99

for only $

$50 off Chimney Caps or Free Chimney Cleaning with any Masonry

• Chimney roof water leaks solved • New Roofs • Perimeter drainage • Foundation Repairs

Quality Chimney 508-752-1003

Quality Work, Affordable Prices & Senior Discount • Power Washing • Carpentry & Repairs • EXTERIOR & Interior • Fully Insured

Phelps Painting

508-395-8831

Proudly serving you since 1996

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Garden Upkeep

J&K

99 Pleasant St, Marlborough, MA 01752

EVANGELOUS ROOFING

Owner on Every Job, No Subcontractors Lifetime warranty Most Jobs Completed in 1-2 Days Fully Licensed & Insured Call Ted Evangelous for a

FREE ESTIMATE

Office 508-485-ROOF Cell 508-400-0380 www.southbororoofing.com

Follow us to be alerted to the latest in Community News.

Find us on and Facebook!

TWEET US @COMMUNITYADNEWS FOLLOW US AT FACEBOOK.COM/COMMUNITYADVOCATENEWSPAPER

Call Mary Ellen at 508-366-5500 x17 or email classified@communityadvocate.com

20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 8, 2020

Mother’s Day Rose Sale Bota Box 3L ................................................$15.98

MAY 5 TO 12TH

Yellow Tail Rose 750ml (everyday low price) ...................................... $9.98 Trulli Rosato 750ml ...................................... $9.98 Nortico Rosado 750ml ............................... $11.98 Gerard Bertrand Cotes des Roses 750ml $13.98 Commanderie De La Bargemone 750ml .$15.98 Bedrock ‘Ode to Lulu’ 750ml ....................$19.98 Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml .......................$17.98 Wolffer Estate Vineyard ‘Summer In a Bottle’ 750ml .......................$19.98

PLUS, MANY MORE SALE ITEMS IN STORE, ONLINE, AND FLASH SPECIALS!

Curbside Pickup 1. Place order online using our App or Website www.juliosliquors.com 2. Choose “pickup” at check out 3. After you get an email saying we received your order WAIT for follow up email saying your order is ready! (Usually 1-3 hours) 4. Park in designated “Curbside Pickup” area and call 508 366 1942 to let us know you’re here.

5. Pop the trunk, show us your ID through your car window and we will load your car! * shopping in store & delivery are still available www.JuliosLiquors.com -- 508 366 1942

All Customers choosing to come into the store are required to wear masks for the safety of all of our customers and staff!

We are remaining open from 10am-7pm daily.

140 Turnpike Rd., Westborough Route 9 at Lyman St. (508) 366-1942 | juliosliquors.com