Community Advocate June 19, 2020

Marlborough eyes reopening restaurants and more after COVID-19 shutdowns page

Southborough mom publishes children’s book to spread autism awareness

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

Vol. 46 | No. 25 | June 19, 2020

Shrewsbury and Southborough hold annual town elections

Beth Casavant

Maurice DePalo

PHOTO/MELANIE PETRUCCI

Laura Moore Spangenberg with husband Scott at Edgemere Park

Walk of the Town

Shrewsbury couple takes to the streets – all of them!

Lisa Braccio

Chelsea Malinowski

SHREWSBURY/SOUTHBOROUGH – Incumbents Beth Casavant (2,340 votes) and Maurice DePalo (2,150 votes) defeated challenger Benjamin Tartaglia (543 votes) to win two seats on the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen in the annual Town Election held June 16.

According to Town Clerk Sandra Wright, 2,844 voters (11.64 percent) participated out of 24,434.

In Southborough, incumbent Lisa Braccio (515 votes) and Chelsea Malinowski (394 votes) won the two seats on the Board of Selectmen, defeating Peter LaPine (167 votes).

Town Clerk James Hegarty reported that 609 (8.2 percent) of the 7,402 voters participated.

inside this issue: viewpoint ................2 news .....................5 schools ...................18 homes & more ........20

classifieds .............21 obituaries .............22 police log ...............22 crossword .............22

Teens plan food drive after cancelled service trip

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 3

COMMUNITYVIEWPOINT Letters to the Editor Northborough Town Meeting should not be held indoors

Proceeding with care

To the Editor: I am writing to express my disagreement with the [Monday, June 22 Northborough] town meeting being held as an indoor, in person meeting. I find the directive from the state and the choices the town has made in regards to school, recreation programming, business directive, funerals, weddings etc. to be in direct contrast to what is being suggested for town meeting. I have attended town meeting for at least the past 5 years and I find it to be a very important meeting for all town members. I believe this scenario does

REGION – As part of the state’s reopening plans, phase 2 allows retail establishments to once again open their doors. Required safety precautions such as wearing of masks and closed dressing rooms have not deterred customers eager to shop. Several popular retailers experienced lines to enter upon reopening, as shoppers, weary of nearly three months of stay at home measures, flock back to their favorite stores.

Letters to the Editor

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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.

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not account for our immune compromised town members, our elderly town members, and just town members in general like myself who are trying to follow guidelines. Our household as well as most of those that I know have not even had visitors in our home and have just started stretching social distancing with outdoor visits from friends. I find it careless for the town to then suggest we gather as a group in an indoor space. Especially when we have multiple other options such as in one of our many fields, in the large parking lots at Algonquin, with the warrant sent in advance and an administrative gathering cast on Northboro Cable with a number to call into with questions on warrants and voting via mail afterwards.

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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 Letters | from page 3

have a more inclusive, creative solution.

I would encourage other town members to also reach out to our town moderator and board: Drand@town.northborough. ma.us; Jperreault@town.northborough.ma.us; Lrutan@town.northborough. ma.us; Tkaelin@town.northborough. ma.us; Jhirsh@town.northborough. ma.us; Fredthemoderator@gmail. com ­— Sherry Clark Northborough

Vote for Often for Grafton Select Board To the Editor: I have supported several candidates during the many years I’ve spent involved in local politics. I very much enjoy the whole campaign experience win or lose, democracy to me is exciting!

This year, I’m so happy to support Mat Often, who I’ve long encouraged to run for

Grafton Selectman before he even thought about it. Mat’s demeanor and intellect are his strong suits. He rarely gets riled up about things and always throughly knows the topic he is discussing. He is open-minded and kind to those who disagree with his vision of supporting education and public safety.

You won’t catch Mat demeaning anyone. He is fully aware that he is a representative of the townspeople. If elected, he will absolutely put the town’s best interests first and foremost.

Please join me in voting for Mat Often for Selectman on June 23rd.

— Lisa Brovelli Kelley and Family Grafton

New mindset and retraining by police needs to happen To the Editor: In light of the recent attacks on Black people, there has been a global protest and uprising.

Unity, strength and concern have spread and people from all races and socioeconomic backgrounds have retaliated “enough is enough”, no more at-

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tacks on our brothers and sisters by the police!

What is ironic is that the police are public servants employed by towns and states to “protect and serve” its citizens.

Other public servants include firemen, EMTs, teachers, doctors and nurses. When taxpayers call for help, they have a right to expect a well-trained, respectful public servant to assist; citizens count on a level of calmness, fairness and caring that all public servants should engage in. There should not be scare tactics, brute strength and bullying involved ever. Instead there should be compassion, respect and understanding when public servants respond.

A new mindset and retraining by police needs to happen.

I would suggest that police training mimic the training that firemen and EMTs use when they are called to respond. There should be a level of calmness, fairness, respect that unites us all regardless of skin color, religion and neighborhood. If you need to use bullying tactics and force to scare, hurt and kill your fellow man perhaps you are in the wrong profession.

And as taxpayers, who pay the salaries of public servants it is our moral duty to demand that retraining begin now and that racial injustice ends. Do not let the life of George Floyd be taken in vein, demand that no one ever be allowed to bully, hurt or kill another person again.

— Maureen McNamara Westborough

Applefest 2020 will happen – with safety measures To the valued residents of the Northborough Community: We know the past few months have been tough on everyone. Quarantine, social distancing and the effects of COVID-19 have affected us all. In light of that, we wanted to share news regarding Applefest 2020 and its status on the current climate.

We are happy to report that there will be an Applefest 2020.

We feel that it is important to have an event to bring the community together in these difficult times. However, the event will look different to how it has in the past to ensure proper social distancing procedures are met and we keep you all safe.

To that end, some of the classic events will not be happening

this year which saddens us.

Look forward to news in the coming months about how we have changed, what will still be going on and how you can enjoy Applefest 2020 while also remaining safe and healthy.

Thank you for your understanding. We hope this message finds you and your family well.

— Applefest Committee Northborough

Re-elect Perreault to Northborough BOS To the Editor: Jason Perreault has earned re-election to the Northborough Board of Selectmen. In the two decades he has served on town boards, he has been a model of civic engagement—informed, analytical, and receptive to input. The Town of Northbor-

ough has an enviable record of maintaining excellent schools and other public services, as well as fiscal stability and responsibility, even through the great recession that started in 2008. Not all of Northborough’s success through those times was due to luck; a lot of it was due to good government. Jason is as responsible as anyone for that good government, through his thoughtful leadership on the Financial Planning Committee and later on the Board of Selectmen. Externalities are once again not so favorable. The economic and social challenges to towns posed by the Covid-19 pandemic make experienced leaders like Jason Perreault even more valuable than usual.

I urge everyone to vote for him June 30th.

— Anthony Poteete Northborough

Westborough finally able to hold annual Town Election WESTBOROUGH - After a three month delay, the town of Westborough finally held its annual Town Election on June 13. The election had been scheduled for March 17 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns about the pandemic as well as no contested races no doubt contributed to the low turnout. Just over four percent of the town’s eligible voters (522 out of 12,628) participated. There were 396 early and absentee ballots and 126 in person voters.

Re-elected were Selectman Ian Johnson; Town Moderator John Arnold; Town Clerk Wendy Mickel; School Committee member Lisa Edinerg; Assabet Valley Regional Vocational District School Committee member Paul L. George; Westborough Housing Authority member Joan Pavolis; and Trustees of the Public Library Patricia Fontes, William Linnane and Dorothy Mello Raghu Nandan was also elected to the School Committee and Timothy Koehler was elected to the Planning Board.

Marlborough Scouts offer tributes to fallen veterans MARLBOROUGH - Andrew Desmarais joined his fellow Scouts from BSA Troop 2 Marlborough to acknowledge Memorial Day this year with socially distant salutes to fallen veterans and the playing of Taps.

Desmarais is a 2019 Eagle Scout who remains active with his Troop as a Patrol Leader and Order of the Arrow (Boy Scouts of America’s National Honor Society) Representative.

Andrew Desmarais He was Troop 2’s official Bugler when he was in middle school, playing evening Taps during Troop camping trips. He is currently completing his sophomore year at Marlborough High School.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 5

COMMUNITYNEWS Marlborough eyes reopening restaurants and more after COVID-19 shutdowns

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

MARLBOROUGH - Downtown restaurants may soon sprawl dining onto sidewalks along Marlborough’s Main St. as the city takes new steps to reopen its economy in the coming weeks after three months of COVID-19 shutdowns, officials say.

Starting June 8, Phase Two of Gov. Charlie Baker’s tiered reopening plan for the state will allow restaurants to offer sit down service in out-door seating areas in addition to reopening libraries, playgrounds and retail stores among other things.

“I think folks want to get out again,” Marlborough Health Director John Garside said, specifically focusing on the food establishments his staff inspects and oversees. “If people are ensured that these protocols are in place, I think they’ll want to visit our local restaurants again.”

With some gaps in the governor’s guidelines and built in discretion allotted to municipalities, officials governing the region’s largest municipal economic area say they’re committed to reviving the economy while maintaining safety.

To do so, they say they need buy in from the very businesses itching to open.

“A lot of these regulations are in place and we’re there to enforce them,” he said. “At the end of the day, though, we ask for community cooperation.”

As most area enforcement agencies have done, the Marlborough Board of Health, Garside said, will aim to not be punitive in its efforts to carry out Gov. Baker’s orders.

Indeed, he said he and his staff have responded consistently since COVID-19 hit to reports of infractions ranging from businesses operating in defiance of shutdown orders, to failure to wear masks.

Through it all, the city has issued none of the non-criminal citations they’re technically allowed to hand out to such violators.

“We’re really trying to work with people and educate them,” he said. “We’re really using the fines as a last resort.”

Garside said he expects to maintain such a policy of

I think folks want to get out again. If people are ensured that these protocols are in place, I think they’ll want to visit our local restaurants again. ­— John Garside Marlborough Health Director

education and understanding through phase two of the city’s reopening.

In terms of what will change, he said he and aids are working to clear as many hurdles out of the path of businesses looking to take advantage of the outdoor dining that will soon be allowed again.

“We’re trying to make sure it’s a very streamlined process,” he said.

No matter how streamlined things are, however, business leaders, largely thankful for city government collaboration throughout the crisis, say the community has financial

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From a customer base now introduced to robust e-commerce systems, to expectations of curbside pickup options, the world has changed.

It’s facts like those, the structural changes, that Schlacter says will be perhaps the most pressing and challenging issues for business leaders to confront as they evolve to their new normal operations, even with the support of city agencies.

“The folks who are able to adapt and change their business model are finding a way,” he said. “But it’s so difficult because there is no history and no playbook.”

To learn more about all the businesses eligible to reopen in Phase 2 of Gov. Baker’s plan, see this link: https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ reopening-when-can-mybusiness-reopen

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wounds that will not soon heal.

Business owners have lost money. Unsold perishables have spoiled. Individual employees sit having been unable to work for months.

Recently, Joy Asia, a beloved local restaurant announced it has closed for good. Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert Schlacter indicated others are hurting badly as well.

“The reality of it is that this has been so devastating that some will not be able to come back,” he said.

Long past the days when masks stop being necessary, and long after customers get to venture back into commercial dining rooms, Schlacter said, the echoes of these months of closure will persist in the memories of the businesses that did not make it through, and in the structural changes the coronavirus seems to have

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 7

Board decides to cancel Spirit of Shrewsbury Fall Festival 2020 Plans for 25th anniversary celebration shift to 2021

By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – For the last 24 Septembers, the town of Shrewsbury has come together for a beloved tradition – the Spirt of Shrewsbury Fall Festival. Over the years, it has grown to a multi-day event, with a huge expo featuring the town’s businesses, nonprofits, community groups and vendors; a road race; cultural events; a tea to honor senior citizens; and a parade, among other things.

This year, the festival was to be bigger and better than ever, as organizers planned for a grand 25th year celebration.

But then the coronavirus pandemic forced them to make the difficult decision to cancel the festival this year and instead, focus their attention on plans for festivities in 2021.

In a letter sent to board and committee members, festival President Maria Smith and Vice President Wayne Watkins noted that “clearly, the coronavirus and its devastating effects on this state, our country, and the world is at the core of our thoughts.”

Although many people have varying opinions on when the country and its economy should reopen, festival organizers have “responsibilities to a number of constituencies, but most important in our minds is our responsibility to our volunteers,” they said.

“We ask a great deal from you folks, whom we value so much, and from those who volunteer at the event itself, and we know that your primary responsibility during these difficult times is to your immediate and extended families, and to ask you to focus on something other than that, in this case the festival, is at best terribly unfair, and at worst, unconscionable.”

Additionally they had a responsibility to the community, Smith and Watkins said.

“We depend on them for their support, both in their attendance at the event and their willingness to spend their money in support of the event. Our responsibility is to provide them with a quality event and to protect their well-being when they attend. We believe that we

will still be dealing with the virus in September, and that community support may be limited,” they said. “So many

people are hurting from the economic effect of the virus that attendance may well be limited, and we will probably still be dealing with social distancing, masking, etc. We might very well hesitate to ask our own children and grandchildren to attend.”

“Our vendors provide us

with a great deal of support.

Police officers, bus drivers, pizza providers, janitors, the many kids that work at the festival, garbage collection people, and so forth count on us for a well-organized and safe event, and given the uncertain nature of the situation at this point, we are not

certain that we can provide that,” they added.

Although the committee is quite saddened to cancel this year’s festival, Smith noted, they are planning on other ways to celebrate the town in a different format this fall. Plans for that will be announced at a future date.

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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

Boards cancel town’s summer plans Lake Chauncy to remain closed for swimming

By Jennifer L. Grybowski Contributing Writer

PHOTO/BONNIE ADAMS

WESTBOROUGH – Westborough Recreation Director Jenn Kirkland reported at the June 2 Board of Selectmen meeting that the Recreation Commission had met and voted to cancel most playground and sports programs through the end of July.

The Recreation Commission also voted to close the beach at Lake Chauncy as well for the summer.

“These decisions definitely weren’t made lightly,” Kirkland said. “The camp guidelines came out…many people were discouraged. It seems like they can’t even play kickball.”

She said there were so many

Swimming will not be allowed at Lake Chauncy this summer.

layers of restrictions that it was difficult to figure out what the children can actually do at camp.

Kirkland said the plan is to offer as much as they can in terms of recreational activities that are typically individual sports anyway, like golf. The Recreation Commission plans to re-evaluate at the end of July to see if they can run some mini-programs in August.

They may also consider a day program here or there instead of weekly programming. In the meantime, tennis and pickle ball courts are open, playgrounds are due to open in Phase III of the reopening plan, and trails and state parks are open.

“We understand people love the beach and it’s a resource,

but don’t feel we can do it safely under the guidelines,” she said.

Restrictions would require more staffing for the beach, but the town would be able to sell less passes. She also cited the issue of re-education of the town in how the beach would operate, saying day passes wouldn’t be available and people would have to be turned away. Kirkland said she had been in touch with neighboring towns, and they are all shutting down their beaches as well.

The gates at the beach will be locked, and signs will be put up saying there are no lifeguards on duty and that the beach is closed. At this time, there are no plans to put up “no trespassing” signs.

Grafton Farmers Market to open with social distancing protocols

By Abbey Basile Contributing Writer GRAFTON On June 17, the Grafton Farmers Market will be open to the public for the 2020 season. The market will run every Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 7 on Grafton Common. This year, the market has been adjusted to fulfill COVID-19 safety requirements and thus will be a bit different than patrons may be used to.

Market Manager Callen Pacier explained that in order to open this year, the farmers market had to work closely with the town and the Board

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“We have been following the policies ... outlined from the state and the town to make sure we’re doing everything they requested to keep our patrons and our vendors safe, and to have a nice, fun market,” Pacier noted.

The market will have only one entrance and one exit, and all vendors will be on one side of the sidewalk. Pacier explained that this will create a one-way flow to the market.

“We are kindly asking customers to follow that flow to help maintain social distancing requirements,” she said.

Farmers Market Committee member Elizabeth Spinney stated that there will also be tape on the sidewalk so people

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participating in that portion of things, and then we will gather the items and have a pickup location for them to get those on market day,” Pacier explained.

Natalie Leroux, Farmers Market Committee member and social media manager, remarked that many of the activities for children and the live music that the market usually offers will not be possible this year. However, Spinney said that “we are trying to talk about some other entertainment options throughout the summer that can keep the same sort of feel to the farmers market that everyone is used to.”

Leroux said that a positive element of this year’s market is its ability to be so “ven-

dor-focused.” The market will welcome seven new vendors this year, including One Bite Bakery and Elzire’s Acre Goat Milk Soap. According to Pacier, many of the vendors that participate in the market each year decided to participate this year as well.

Leroux offered these words of advice to patrons: “I think if people are just being smart and considerate ... and patient as they visit the market, especially on opening day, we can support the local vendors and get outside and see each other face to face.”

For more information regarding the Grafton Farmers Market, visit the market’s Facebook page, @GraftonFarmersMarketMA.

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“can watch how they’re facing one another.”

Other safety measures include the requirement of masks and gloves for all vendors and staff and masks for all patrons. Hand sanitizer will be available to visitors when they enter the market and to the vendors as well.

In addition to the physical market, this year the Grafton Farmers Market will include an online market as well. Pacier explained that patrons who may not feel comfortable walking through the physical market can place an order through the app “WhatsGood.”

“The online market is going to be a virtual opportunity for people to purchase items from many of our vendors who are

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 9

Westborough youth plan food drive after cancelled service trip (top) Greg Xenos and Ben Riela and (bottom) Abbey Riela and Ella Hillfinger

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - When their annual service trip got cancelled this summer due to COVID-19, four local advocates refused to resign to a season of stagnant quarantine.

Instead, Ben Riela, Greg Xenos, Abbey Riela and Ella Hillfinger all approached their contacts at the national Appalachia Service Project (ASP) hoping to bring their charity work home with a special food drive for the Westborough Food Pantry, Saturday, June 27.

“There’s a ton of need just in our own backyard,” Riela said. “We kept seeing the need at food banks so we thought, we have this huge network at ASP…what if we used that power to do something here in town.”

ASP is an organization dedicated to bringing high school and college volunteers to economically struggling rural areas of the country like West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

In a normal year, ASP participants raise money for months before then traveling south to spend a week making common repairs to homes which owners could not otherwise afford.

“When you have all these problems, repairing a leak in our house, repairing the rotting floor or the uninsulated walls, that’s low on your to do list,” Riela said of the life situations of the homeowners he’s served in the past.

He noted that, over five years of trips he’s made, each family he’s worked with has been particularly hit by the effects of substance use disorder which has ravaged rural Appalachia for years.

As much as Riela and others say they look forward to their trip, however, Riela said he quickly understood, once the true scope of COVID-19 pandemic became clear, that he would be staying home this year.

“When I got sent home from college, I could kind of tell the trip was going to get cancelled,” he said. “The world was going to change for the foreseeable future.”

And things did change.

COVID-19 put thousands out of work in Massachusetts alone, exacerbating already oppressive situations for those struggling with poverty and food insecurity.

As COVID-19 forced some food pantries to cut back service, and as quarantine severed some food supply lines, locals risked going hungry. That triggered pleas for help from the pantries still operational.

“They’ve always needed help,” Riela said of Westborough’s pantry in particular. “The need has just been elevated with this downturn.”

At work over the months since ASP cancelled their trip, food drive organizers say they plan to host monthly drives throughout the summer. The first such event will, indeed, take place June 27.

Organizers like Riela ask interested donors to sign up for the event through a Google form or via email.

On June 27, volunteers will circle through Westborough, picking up food items that donors should leave at the end of their driveways.

Altogether, Riela says he’s grateful to have found a way to still give back this summer all while also getting an inside look at the nuts and bolts of the charity world he’s participated in for most of his adolescence.

“It slowly became something that requires much more work than we thought,” he said. “...there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.”

To register to participate in the June 27th food drive, fill out the following Google form https:// forms.gle/Gy5tsF3qz5AoDad2A. Anyone with further questions should reach out to food drive organizers by email via westboroughfooddrive@ gmail.com.

Hudson rallies behind family of teacher killed in crash

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer HUDSON - Community members have rallied in grief and support after beloved local teacher Erin MacKay died June 10 in a car crash in Fitchburg.

A longtime educator, MacKay taught first grade students at Forest Avenue Elementary School and had many former students in the community who have said via town Facebook groups since her death that they look back fondly on their memories of MacKay. “Erin (Kodys) MacKay was a beautiful person inside and out who touched the lives of so many of us in a very profound way,” a statement attached to a GoFundMe page started in MacKay’s honor read. “She is the ultimate example of what a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, coworker, friend, and human being should be.”

MacKay, a Templeton resident, had been driving on Rt. 2 when a tire crashed through her windshield, state police say.

First responders removed her from her car and brought her to nearby Leominster Hospital. From there, a Med Flight helicopter brought her

Not only was Erin a mother to her own children, she was a mother to countless others in our school community.

— David Champigny Forest Avenue Principal

Erin MacKay

to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, where she died.

“Not only was Erin a mother to her own children, she was a mother to countless others in our school community,” Forest Avenue Principal David Champigny said in a statement to school community members after officials publicly identified MacKay. “She was an amazing educator, and above all else, a kind and caring person.”

MacKay is survived by her husband and her two daughters Mya and Olivia.

In the wake of her sudden death, much attention has gone to MacKay’s family.

As of June 14, a GoFundMe page had garnered over $58,000 in donations, all earmarked to help MacKay’s children afford a college education without their mother.

Meanwhile, Off the Rail Nutrition, a small business in downtown Hudson, announced almost immediately after news broke June 10 that it would donate 10 percent of its sales the next day to the MacKay family.

The Forest Ave Home and School Association also collected donations via Venmo, initially to support MacKay’s

grieving colleagues, and, later, to gather more funds for the family.

“Nowhere is the beauty of Erin’s soul more evident than in these two amazing girls,” the aforementioned GoFundMe statement said of the main beneficiaries of all this. “They embody all of the great things for which we remember Erin.”

Mass. State Police meanwhile continue to ask the public for help locating the vehicle to which the tire that killed Erin MacKay belongs. They’re asking any crash witnesses to contact them by calling 508829-8326.

For her full obituary and for a link to the GoFundMe page visit https://www.communityadvocate.com/2020/06/15/ erin-b-mackay-42/.

10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

Southborough mom publishes children’s book to spread autism awareness

By Nance Ebert Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH - Nicole M. Sigler’s first children’s book, “Hi, I’m Rosie!” is intended to help children have a better understanding of what it is like for someone who has autism and the challenges they may face.

Sigler was inspired by her 5-year-old daughter, Isabella Rose (known as “Rosie” at home), who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.

When Rosie started preschool, Sigler noticed that other classmates did not understand why she was wearing headphones or wasn’t making eye contact.

She tried to find a children’s book to help her nieces and nephews understand Rosie better but could not find one.

Frustrated, she decided to research writing one on her own for a younger demographic between the ages of 4 and 10.

“With the timing of this book I had initially planned to wait until things began to return to something close to normal, but I realized the book could be more valuable now

in the book so I thought it might help if their peers had this insight in advance of that.”

T h e book takes the reader through a typical day o f s ch o o l and all of the chall e n g e s someone with autism faces in a very easyto-underNicole M. Sigler with her daughter Isabella Rose stand manner. The main charbecause many children on the acter Rosie wears cat headautism spectrum will have a phones like her namesake and particularly difficult challenge resembles her as well. ahead of them in attempting Sigler spent a lot of time doto return to school and their scheduled activities,” Sigler explained. “This will likely result in them exhibiting some of the very behaviors I describe

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ing research for this book. She incorporated challenges that her daughter faces but also included many that others face as well. She found the illustrator from a site called Fiverr. She loved the artwork and spent countless hours sending texts back and forth and explaining what she wanted the pages to look like until it was perfect.

In the book, Sigler included examples of things an autistic child might do, such as wearing a weighted vest to remain calm or headphones because they are sensitive to loud sounds.

“I tried to include as many common traits that children with autism face,” she said. “I tried to make it so a 4-year-old would understand if they were trying to interact.”

The book came out the first week of April and Nicole sent it to all of Rosie’s teachers at the Mary Finn School in Southborough. One of the

teachers depicted in this book closely resembles Rosie’s favorite teacher, Louisa Vargas.

Nobody at the school knew anything about Nicole’s book project, as she was hoping to surprise the school with the published book and reading to all of the classrooms. She still hopes to do that once this pandemic is over, or possible via Zoom.

“One of the misconceptions I found was that people tend to think writing a children’s book is easy,” Sigler noted. “There were many challenges along the way. For me, personally, I found inner challenges and started doubting myself. Can I really do this? Will people like it and find it helpful? Publishing this book is my proudest moment.”

“Hi, I’m Rosie!” can be purchased on Amazon. Schools can also purchase the book at wholesale at www.ingramcontent.com/educators/content

Shrewsbury couple takes to the streets – all of them!

Spangenberg | from page 1

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY –Shrewsbury couple Laura Moore Spangenberg and her husband Scott love walking. To pass the time during the pandemic, they decided to take walks. Now they are on a mission to walk every street in town - all 711 of them.

That’s the number of streets in Shrewsbury, as reported by Andrew Truman, town engineer with the Department of Public Works.

“Why not?” Laura asked.

“We like to walk anyway and we walk pretty routinely but more like out the door and around the neighborhood and maybe down to Dean Park and back.”

When the Community Advocate caught up with them at Edgemere Park June 4, they were about a third of the way into their project, having logged 135 miles.

It all started around March 13 when Governor Charlie Baker issued his “Stay-atHome” guidance because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laura is a fourth-grade teacher at Floral Street School in Shrewsbury and Scott is in management with BJ’s Wholesale Club. Her last day of teaching in the school was also

Just explore the place you live and get out and walk. It is more interesting than you would think.

— Scott Spangenberg

March 13 and Scott has been working from home as well.

Not happy with the idea of being cooped up, Scott said that if they were going to be forced to stay at home, they might as well do something to challenge themselves. They had gone to Purgatory Chasm but found that to be a bit too crowded and uncomfortable while trying to maintain social distance.

“So I said, ‘Let’s walk every street in Shrewsbury’ and she said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’” Scott noted.

He mapped out the town by using Google Maps, which was easy enough. He said that the town is already naturally broken up into four quadrants. So he put the maps together and tacked them up on a wall in their home so they could track their progress.

“We went first to the part of town that we didn’t know which is north of 290,” she explained.

“We have finished the quadrant west of Route 140 and north of Route 9.”

When asked about what they found to be most interesting while out and about, Scott remarked: “Just discovering things we didn’t know about Shrewsbury… right across from Oak Middle School there is a classic log cabin.”

“It’s noticing those little things,” Laura noted. “It’s such a diverse town and it’s such an interesting town.”

While she is amazed by all the tiny little streets and lanes that are right next to Lake Quinsigamond having walked each one, they will not be walking high traffic areas without sidewalks such as sections of Routes 9 and 20, for safety reasons.

They are clearly having a great time with this project.

“Just explore the place you live and get out and walk,” Scott said. “It is more interesting than you would think.”

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 11

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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

Flaherty Physical Therapy and Open Circle Acupuncture & Healing Offering quality health care to improve your overall health and wellness

By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – As local business owners, husband and wife Kevin and Kim Flaherty of Shrewsbury are committed to ensuring their patients get the best quality health care while also giving back to the community. Although their treatments may seem quite different in practice, the care they provide is helping many to improve their overall health and wellness.

Kevin is a physical therapist and is owner of Flaherty Physical Therapy while Kim co-owns (with business partner Melissa Stein) Open Circle Acupuncture & Healing. Dur-

Kevin Flaherty, owner, Flaherty Physical Therapy and Kim Flaherty, co-owner, Open Circle Acupuncture & Healing

ing the pandemic, although the two businesses have certainly faced challenges, they have been available for their patients in different ways.

Now that things are slowly easing back into a “new normal,” the couple said that both businesses will be wellequipped to continue to operate in ways that will ensure everyone’s safety while improving the quality of their health and wellness.

Flaherty Physical Therapy has been open for business during the corona crisis and have adjusted their care based on best practice guidelines.

They have been providing in clinic treatments as well as virtual Tele-health treatments

to stay in touch with their patients.

“Tele-health is a new form of treatment for us. It allows us to perform professional consultations in a way that our patients can feel comfortable,” Kevin said. “It helped us to stay engaged with our patients and track how they are doing when they were not comfortable coming into the clinic. We will continue to offer Tele-health as a part of our therapy and wellness platform in the future.”

Flaherty has also been using Zoom calls for his popular series of free monthly educational workshops.

“This way again, those who are not comfortable venturing Flaherty | 13

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 13 Flaherty | from page 12

out can learn about orthopedic pain issues and how physical therapy can help them treat it,” he said. “June 25 is our low back pain workshop, July 30 will be on neck pain and August 27 will be low back pain again.” (Visit www.flahertyphysicaltherapy.com/ workshops for more information and to sign up).

“Every participant leaves with three exercises to work on at home,” he explained.

“We also follow that up with a free half an hour in person screen with one of our therapists.”

Flaherty mentioned how important it was to make sure that his patients handle their limitations. “We try to get everyone to work on their problem sooner versus later so they can get back to restoring their Mojo and improving their

Many people who were coming in for a variety of different health issues, are now also wanting us to address their stress and immune concerns.

Acupuncture can treat all of this within each treatment. ­— Kim Flaherty

quality of life.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-393-9000 or visit www. flahertyphysicaltherapy.com.

Kim Flaherty is Open Circle’s Director of Business Operations while Melissa Stein is the Clinical Director and Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist.

They use a comprehensive wellness approach using acupuncture, herbs and supplements with a strong emphasis on self-care.

Kim and Melissa have maintained regular office hours during the pandemic to stay in communication with patients and provided curbside pick-up for herbs, supplements and CBD products. They were a valued resource on social media for acupressure points and wellness tips and they now have a video resource library that is now available on their website.

“Over the last two months, we have seen many more patients suffering from stress,

anxiety and even depression,” Kim said. “Many people who were coming in for a variety of different health issues, are now also wanting us to address their stress and immune concerns. Acupuncture can treat all of this within each treatment.”

“Acupuncture is an effective way to strengthen your immune system and balance stress levels, which will be especially important as we begin to return to work, school and social gatherings. It regulates immune function and treats the underlying cause of illness by reducing symptoms, speeding up the healing of infection and normalizing the body’s immune response,” she said.

“We can help you keep everyone in your family healthy,” she added. “We treat patients from age 1 up to those in their 90s.”

For children, it will be important to start prepping their

immune system in July or August prior to the start of school in the fall.

“No need to worry if they are afraid of ‘needles’,” Kim said.

“We have highly effective nonneedle acupressure techniques for the kids, as well as herbs and supplements that have a kid-friendly taste.”

Open Circle limits the number of patients that may be in the clinic at a time and are screening patients with temperature checks. They have a hand sanitizer station and are cleaning all surfaces multiple times a day to ensure everyone’s comfort and peace of mind.

For more information call 508-393-1212 or visit www. opencirclehealing.com.

Flaherty Physical Therapy is located at 411 West Main St., #3, in Northborough while Open Circle is located around the back, at #2R.

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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

COMMUNITYBUSINESS Perk & Parcel reopens in Westborough

By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer

PHOTO/RICK MOSHER

WESTBOROUGH - The combination of two enthusiastic, knowledgeable business partners with different expertise and backgrounds is the foundation of Perk & Parcel located at 276 Turnpike Road (Belmont Center) in Westborough. The unique concept of the business is a blend of a coffee bar and café as well as a convenient location to securely have your packages delivered.

Perk & Parcel opened in December 2019 and is now reopened after being impacted

by COVID-19 closures. Coowner Rick Mosher is optimistic that it will continue to thrive.

“It was quite a blow to have to shut down pretty much on our three month anniversary,”

Perk & Parcel offers a variety of sweet treats, coffees, espressos and lattes.

said Mosher. “Reopening is going well. We are getting walk-ins for takeout and a lot of online ordering through our website app.”

Perk & Parcel is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for takeout and curbside ser-

vice. The online ordering link is available through the website at www.perkandparcel.com.

Menu changes and special promotion information can be found there or on Facebook @ perkandparcel and Instagram.

You can also sign up to receive

email updates.

Mosher manages the Perk side of the business. His background is in food service including experience as an executive chef in Boston, and he keeps up to date on current trends.

Chalkboards display the menu including cookies, muffins, croissants, and quiche.

Salads, sandwiches, and Paninis are prepared on site using seasonal ingredients when possible.

Of course, it offers 13 different lattes, espresso, coffee, tea, and Nitro Brew. Customers also have a variety of milks to choose from including nondairy options like almond, soy, oat or coconut.

The Parcel side of the business is managed by AJ Boles and offers a central delivery location for packages to be sent

and picked up at your convenience. Currently, this service is complimentary and gives customers an option to avoid porch pirates or damage to their packages from shipping or weather.

Customers need to register their information online and ensure when ordering items that their packages are delivered to Perk & Parcel. When the package arrives, it is placed in a secure locker system and the customer is contacted with a pick up code for package retrieval.

“It’s safe and easy to use,” said Mosher.

There is also an environmental benefit of using a central delivery location - the number of trucks on the road is reduced, which reduces air pollution.

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Westborough BOS opts out of purchase and sale for Grove Street property

By Jennifer L. Grybowski Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Board of Selectmen has voted to terminate the purchase and sale agreement associated with the property at 9 Grove St., citing environmental concerns.

As part of the town’s due diligence, the BOS authorized a soil study be done on the property, which was slated to be converted into a parking lot.

“When they did the Phase I study to see if there was a need for Phase II, the rationale was because the property next door, the fire department, did a Phase II, it would be in the best interest to move forward since the properties are contiguous,” BOS Chair Ian Johnson said.

“We anticipated that, and it was included in the warrant article posted for the upcoming Town Meeting. In light of COVID situation, there are multiple rounds of budget

cuts the town has been working with and we continue to expect revenue shortfalls.”

Johnson also pointed out that if the Phase II analysis determines it would be unwise to move forward with the property, the town would not recoup what it spent on the study.

“We don’t expect anything different than what is at the fire department, but question

was, are we in the position to ask the town to spend the money at this time,” Johnson said.

The town entered into a purchase and sale on the property this winter; Town Manager Kristi Williams had come to the board saying there is not enough dedicated parking for town employees, and that the anticipated addition of bike lanes and outdoor café

Perk & Parcel reopens in Westborough Perk & Parcel | from page 14

Any prepaid packages that are pre-labeled that you are sending can also be dropped off at Perk & Parcel.

“The staff is super friendly and go out of their way to help customers,” said Mosher. “We take pride in our service and attention to detail.”

Long term goals are to add

locations, increase community outreach, welcome business meetings and scout groups, and add events that include students, such as a poetry slam night. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Perk & Parcel’s menu and how to register to utilize the location to receive packages can be found on the website.

Email questions to info@perkandparcel.com.

seating in the downtown area would further limit parking options downtown. The Grove Street property, adjacent to the Westborough Fire Department on Milk Street and in proximity to most of downtown, could add 24 parking spaces, said Williams at the time.

The purchase, construction and required due diligence by town counsel was projected to cost an estimated $500,000 to $600,000 total.

Johnson said there is a possibility the town would pursue the property again in the future if circumstances allowed.

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16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

Two candidates vie for one seat on Hudson BOS HUDSON – Two candidates will be on the ballot for one seat on the Board of Selectmen in the Monday, June 29 Annual Town Election. The Community Advocate has invited the candidates to share a bit about their backgrounds and why they are running for selectmen. Here, in their own words, are the answers from the candidates – incumbent Scott Duplisea and Dandrick Gelin.

Please give a brief introductory statement of your background Scott Duplisea - I am a lifelong resident of Hudson and reside here with my wife Laura (Cardoso) Duplisea. I also have two daughters, Marisa who now lives in Philadelphia and Alexa, who resides at home. I work for the Commonwealth of Mass. Dept of Transportation. I served on the Hudson Housing Authority for 21 years, serving nine years as chairman and I am currently a two term member of the Hudson Board of Selectmen serving currently as Vice Chairman. I was the previous President of Hudson Youth Soccer, VP of Hudson Youth Softball and a coach of Hudson High School soccer

Scott Duplisea

Dandrick Gelin

and basketball. I also refereed high school basketball for over 30 years.

Dandrick Gelin - My name is Dandrick Gelin, but you can call me Ricky. I’m the local retail worker running in this election. I graduated from Hudson High School in 2012, Quinsigamond Community College in 2016, then the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2018. While I was in school, my most significant experience was serving on the School Committee as the Student Representative. I’ve lived in Hudson, almost 23 years. My parents are Haitian immigrants who arrived in the 80s and lived in Waltham before coming to Hudson. I can speak French, which I started

learning at Hudson High and studied it until my graduation in 2018.

What do you feel in your experience would make you the best candidate for this position?

Duplisea -I feel with my previous experience serving the town on the Board of Selectmen, Hudson Housing Authority and leading and coaching youth programs gives me a unique knowledge of the town and its people. I have a proven track record of community leadership and I am an open minded, consensus

building leader capable of working cooperatively to get the job done. I love this town and its people and would like to keep Hudson a great place to live and raise a family.

Gelin - The experience that makes me the ideal candidate is my experiences with elected officials. In 2015, some friends and I protested the proposal to raise the smoking age to 21.

After petitions and emails, I met with the Board of Health to argue against the age hike.

In response, they told me, condescendingly, that there was no point in protesting in opposition and that proposal would soon be state law, so I should give up. In 2019, I advocated against the flavor ban, however, was ignored by our state senator. The experience of politicians shutting doors in my face influences me to be an open door selectman and listen to everyone who takes the time to speak to me.

What committees would you most enjoy working with if you were elected for this position and why?

Duplisea - I would serve on any committee if asked to do so. I feel my areas of expertise

Summer programs will be ‘virtual’ at Shrewsbury Public Library

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY – Staff at the Shrewsbury Public Library are working diligently behind the scenes to plan programs for a summer that will be unlike any other.

“It’s very, very tentative,” Library Director Priya Rathnam cautioned. “…We have to see the conditions locally.”

“It pains me to see the empty library parking lot and the quiet hallways in the library.

But I would like to reassure residents that library staff are working remotely to plan and produce virtual programs,” she stated. “The Board of Library trustees and I are following guidelines from the governor’s office, town management, recommendations from the Board of Health, and consulting with state and regional library agencies while making plans for a phased reopening of the library.”

Staffing and hours of operation will look different.

Furniture will be reconfigured and Plexiglas and signage to be added to facilitate physical distancing.

Rathnam is collaborating with neighboring libraries for a coordinated approach to reopening.

Meanwhile, plans are taking shape for summer programs.

For now, they are planning on a virtual experience but are hoping that by the end of the summer programming can shift to a live, in person format.

Plans include: “Be a Part of History While Social Distancing.” Residents of Shrewsbury are invited to take part in a project to document the 2020 pandemic. The library is seeking photos taken in town to be added to a public website.

Send your photos related to the pandemic, with a description, to splreference@cwmars.org.

“The goal is to make a searchable archive of this event

for current and future generations,” Rathnam noted.

“Imagine Your Story!” Is the theme for this year’s Statewide Summer Reading Program which begins Tuesday, June 29 and will conclude Friday, August 21. There will be fun and virtual programs for kids, teens and adults with prizes and raffles.

Children ages 5-12 and their families will be going on a “quest”. Children will start this imaginary quest by first creating their imaginary character.

Each child-created character has been whisked away and transported to eight different magical worlds, all a different story genre ranging from Sci-fi to Fairytale.

The program for teens is very simple. No registration will be required. Librarians will post a Google form on Facebook or the form will be sent through the email listserv and students in Grades 7-12 can write reviews of books and

audiobooks.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to participate. People are kind of tired of doing things online so we don’t have any sign-ins for the various programs…Let’s just make it a fun program,” Rathnam said.

Additional programs and activities are likely to be planned for teens and virtual writing workshops and book clubs for adults.

“Comic-Con” A virtual event for all ages is scheduled for July.

The event will be spread over a few weeks and may potentially include separate contests for various age groups.

When asked about a Summer Reading kick-off, Rathnam said, “We may not be able to plan a summer reading kick-off this year but we may be able to plan an end-of-summer party.”

For more information visit https://shrewsburyma. gov/344/Library or phone 508841-8533 and leave a message.

are infrastructure, recreation and housing needs. I also feel I am a good listener and negotiator and stand ready to help with any needs and issues the town may have.

Gelin - I will enjoy working with the Economic Development Committee the most.

Over the last decade, we’ve seen Hudson blossom economically. Main St. and South St. is the epitome of a town renaissance, largely because of the work of the EDC. As developers build new apartments, many townspeople and workers can’t afford to live in them. I’d like to work with the committee to see how we could exercise our respective powers and influence to make Hudson more affordable, using incentives to produce results in the private housing sector.

What is the primary problem you feel the town is facing and what do you think should be done to rectify it?

Duplisea - Right now obviously the COVID-19 virus pandemic is the major issue in everybody’s lives and we are listening to medical, health and elected officials for guidance in moving forward and hopefully getting back to our normal lives. Our water quality remains a major issue and we have solved the initial problem with PFAS and PFOA contamination and made our public water safe to drink and use.

We are continuing to monitor the quality closely and future endeavors may contain litigation, additional filtration and the future possibility of MWRA access.

Gelin - The primary problem in Hudson is the recycling of town politicians in unopposed elections. This circumstance leads to ineffective and unpopular elder politicians to remain in office, regardless of the people’s desire for change.

It also invites a culture of favoritism amongst businesses, who feel the way to prevent unwanted road-blocks is to give tribute to those in power. The solution is simple: Term limits.

Town governance will always be fresh with ideas and more likely to diversify representation. If I am elected, I promise only to serve two terms, as it should be.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 17

Aging Gracefully

A SSI STE D L I V I N G R E SI DE N C E S

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

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Maintaining and improving muscle tone, coordination, balance and strength are important for preventing falls, which can have serious consequences for seniors. Gaming can also provide valuable social opportunities with peers and help bridge the generation gap. At NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER, wellness is a philosophy that permeates each program on our campus. It is an active part of what we do and who we are. To learn more, please call (508) 852-3011. You can also schedule a tour of our facilities at 559 Plantation Street.

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Seniors in particular have spent their entire lives helping others – their own parents and relatives, children, friends and spouse. A natural part of the aging process is that we all become more dependent on others in our later years. When you were younger, and helped an older relative, did you look down on them because they asked for what they needed? Of course not!

For that same reason, none of us should ever hesitate to reach out for the help that we need. It might be something as simple as a ride to a doctor’s appointment, or for some help getting groceries. Just having

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Eventually, most of us will need help with some of the activities we’ve always taken for granted – such as bathing, dressing, or walking. This is nothing to be ashamed of – it’s just a natural part of the aging process. After all that our seniors have done for others over the years, there’s nothing wrong with them asking for a little help.

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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

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COMMUNITYSCHOOLS Young Westborough students share messages of hope through poetry WESTBOROUGH - For Stephanie Garrett, a sixth grade ELA teacher at the Mill Pond School in Westborough, teaching remotely due to the COVID-19 has certainly had its challenges. For her young students, (named TEAM HOPE), lessons on writing poetry helped them to process and convey their feelings not only on the pandemic but also on the racial strife that is sweeping across the country.

We will share some of their poems in the Community Advocate over the next few weeks.

Hope

By Naomy Duarte Rosa Two little girls just playing around with each other, as happy as ever. And the time had come to go home.

The mother of one of the girls came and saw her daughter playing with another girl.

“Don’t play with her.

She’s dangerous,” said the mother, dragging her Naomy Duarte Rosa daughter away.

“Why, mommy? Why is she dangerous? We were just playing,” the daughter explained.

“Because, everyone that looks like her puts everyone in danger.”

Want to know why the mother said this? Because the girl playing with her daughter had a darker skin tone than her. She was scared. But what this mother had not known is that the girl she was talking about had listened to her every word. The dam in her eyes broke and the tears flowed out.

“Hi, can I help you?” asked a girl with a scarf wrapping her head.

“Yeah, can you do me a favor and leave? And

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take that stupid thing off your head?” the man in front of her said.

“What?” the girl asked.

All she had done was come to the mall to get new shoes for the school year. She didn’t come to be told to take off her hijab. She didn’t come here to cry. She came here to buy.

“You heard me. Leave! We don’t want you here! We know you have an explosive in that bag of yours!” He pointed to the bag next to her.

“I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. I would never have such things in my bag. Goodbye.”

The girl said calmly and started to walk away, tears starting to roll down her cheeks.

A father and his son were in a convenience store.

“Hijo, qué dice esto?”(“Son, what does this say?”), the father pointed to a bottle of medicine.

“Dice ‘medicina para el dolor’, Papa”(it says “medicine for pain, dad”) explained his son.

A man at the other end of the aisle overheard their conversation.

“Shouldn’t you be speaking English? We’re in America so you need to speak the language,” he interfered.

“Well, my dad doesn’t speak it yet. But he’s trying to learn,” explained the son. “I don’t care.

This is a place where you have to speak English.

Not what you guys are”.

And with that he walked off with a disgusted look on his face.

What came after was a whisper from the son, begging, “Ya no más…”(“no more”).

Someone can only take so much hate before they break.

Now, all these people that were wrongly disrespected peacefully protested against what happened to them. Eyes with hope in them. Hope that they’ll be respected and people will change.

Hope in everyone’s eyes that future generations won’t have to bear the same hateful messages.

Hope for a better tomorrow.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 19

Marlborough Regional Community Foundation announces 2020 scholarship award winners

Our Educators

By Reina Rago

The demands are deep.

The expectations wide.

The struggles fierce.

And You, our Educators, rise every time, To meet the needs of our children, To guide them with tender care, To challenge their thinking.

Dustin Burkhart

Uncertainty fell upon us with the arrival of Covid-19.

Lessons and schedules interrupted, Year-end celebrations cancelled, Students and families lost and confused.

Samantha Gogen

And You, our Educators, found a way, To connect with families, To engage with students, To assure the community our children will succeed.

The world is still spinning, at times a bit blurry with more unknowns than we ever thought.

And, You, our Educators, continue to embrace change, Livia Costa

MARLBOROUGH – The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) recently announced the 2020 recipients of its Community Foundation scholarship awards. This year’s recipients of the $1,000 scholarships are Sophia Carlone, Marlborough High School; Samantha Gogen, Hudson High School; Livia Costa, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School; and Dustin Burkhart, Advanced Math & Science Charter School.

The MRCC is proud to recognize these outstanding young students for their academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and community engagement.

The MRCC Scholarship Committee is made up of a small group of volunteers who each spent over 30 hours reviewing the submitted applications.

Darren McLaughlin, chair of the MRCC Scholarship Committee, stated, “All the students who applied had excellent credentials and each year it proves to be a very challenging and rewarding process determining the winners.”

Rob Schlacter, president/ CEO of the MRCC, added, “This recognition could not come at a better time during a very difficult and challenging school year due to the pandemic. These students stood out among the many solid applicants and we are proud to have them represent the city of Marlborough in their future endeavors.”

The Marlborough Regional

Sophia Carlone

Community Foundation, Inc. was established by the MRCC’s Board of Directors in 1998. The foundation is a community resource for business and civic organizations in the areas of

fundraising, education, and business and economic development.

For more information, visit https://marlboroughchamber. org/.

To generate solutions, To inspire young minds, To share your light of love and hope.

And we, the Westborough Community, thank you, again, and again.

Rago is an educator who resides in Westborough and is a member of the Westborough Rotary Club.

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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 21

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Public Notice Commonwealth Of Massachusetts |The Trial Court | Probate And Family Court Essex Division

Docket no. ES19D2641

Summons By Publication Yalady Medina, Plaintiff(s) v. Oswaldo A. Quiroz, Defendent(s) To the above named Defendent(s): Oswaldo A. Quiroz: A Complaint has been presented to this Court by the Plaintiff(s), Yalady Medina, seeking the Court to declare that the alleged marriage between the parties be adjudge null and void.

You are required to serve upon Yalady Medina plaintiff(s)/attorney for plaintiff(s) - whose address is 45 Washington Street #105 Methuen, MA 01844, your answer on or before June 30, 2020.

If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer in the office of the Register of this Court at 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970.

Witness Hon. Jennifer M.R. Ulwick, Esquire, First Justice of said Court at Essex, this 23rd day of April, 2020.

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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

COMMUNITYOBITUARIES Robert W. LaBaire, 83 SHREWSBURY – Robert W. LaBaire, 83 of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully April 16, 2020 at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing in Northborough after contracting COVID-19.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Sybil M. (Parker) LaBaire, and their four children, Derrick LaBaire and his wife Holly of Shrewsbury, Darlene Dube and her husband Kyle of Shirley, Brian LaBaire of Shrewsbury, and Barry LaBaire and his wife Karen of Uxbridge; nine grandchildren, Jessica Favreau and her husband Michael, Anthony LaBaire and his wife Cayla, David Phillips and his wife Kayla, Derek Phillips, Dianne Phillips, Laura Hoyt, Joshua Sherman, Adam Blair, Alex Blair, and Cassandra LaBaire; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard LaBaire of Holden and William LaBaire and his wife Paula of South Carolina; two sisters, Winifred Parker and her husband Lawrence and Kathy Leary, all of Millbury; and several nieces and nephews. He was prede-

“Vowel Language”

ceased by a grandson, Jason LaBaire, who passed on May 5, 2019, and a brother, Dennis LaBaire.

Services for Bob will be held at a later date. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester is assisting with arrangements.

Nanette Riddell, 90 MARLBOROUGH - Nanette (Veitch) Riddell, 90, of Marlborough, died June 9, 2020 at UMass Memorial Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Robert S. Riddell, who died in 1968.

She leaves two daughters, Sandra P. Riddell of Marlborough, with whom she lived, and Lorilee Strom and her husband Richard of Plymouth; two grandchildren, Mark Strom of Plymouth and Daniel Strom with his partner Megan of Sandwich; and relatives in Scotland.

Funeral services will be private. There are no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Collins Funeral Home of Marlborough.

Joan M. Misener, 86 SOUTHBOROUGH - Joan M . ( D ’A m i co) Misener, 86, of Southborough, passed away peacefully June 4, 2020 after a battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of 57 years of the late John C. Misener, who died in 2012.

She is survived by her children, Donna Domina and her husband Peter, Ellen Bridges, Peter Misener and his wife Judy, all of Northborough; her brothers, Alfred D’Amico and his wife Kathleen of Hudson, Fla. and Michael D’Amico and his wife Linda of Merritt Island, Fla.; her sisters-in-law, Bea Ginga of Southborough, Margaret Bateman of Bellingham, and Josephine Williams of Clinton; her grandchildren, Jessica Himmelman and her husband Brian, Melissa Domina, Shane Domina, Ashley Misener, all of Northborough, Angela Dubowik and her husband Zachary of Auburn, John Misener of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Lily Misener of Allston; her great-grandchildren, Madison and Brady Himmelman, Trey Morgado, and Cameron Domi-

na; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Pamela Misener; her brother, Pasquale “Pat” and his wife Rita, and a son-in-law,

Paul Bridges.

Visiting hours held June 8 at Morris Funeral Home of Southborough. Her funeral Mass was private with a burial at Southborough Rural Cemetery.

POLICELOG The information in the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court issued documentation.

Marlborough

Saturday, June 6 11:18 p.m. Arrested, Zhao Yang Jiang, 32, of 16 Bowstring Way, Apt. 115, of Marlborough, on warrant.

Shrewsbury

Saturday, June 6 8:30 p.m. Arrested, Prakash Gopalakrishnan, 44, of 10313 Arbor Dr., Shrewsbury, for A&B, assault w/dangerous weapon.

Monday, June 8 8:56 a.m. Arrested, Corey W. Leblanc, 37, of 3 Diamond St., Worcester, for A&B, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and Angela Mary Husson, 36, of 20 Benson Ave., Apt. 101, Worcester, for disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, resisting the peace, A&B on police officer, A&B.

Hudson

Friday, June 5 9:48 p.m. Arrested, Dominique Langelier-Trevino, 22, of 100 Tower St., Apt. 510, Hudson, for disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace.

10:51 p.m. Arrested, Kyle Timothy Waters, 48, of 35 Sunset Dr., Bristol, Conn., for OUI-liquor or .08%, marked lanes violation.

SUPER CROSSWORD

Answers to puzzle located on p. 21

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020 • 23

CommunityAdvocate

Congratulates the Graduates of MARLBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL!

Kyle Blaisdell

Steven Breitenfeld

Kyle Caissie

Lucy Cappadona

Kyle Carroll

Kayla Cook

Kyle Cook

Katherine Corbin

William Fantasia

Elizabeth Fraser

Caitlyn Geary

Emily Gogan

Paul Harrison

Ryan Harrison

Carter Hathaway

Abigail Larson

Elise Lowe

Amy MacGlashing

Patrick Morsel

Jake Naples

Madelyn Seder

Cameron Sinopoli

Edward Smith

CommunityAdvocate Dylan Baia

Jeffrey Benoit

Colin Dwinells

McLain Bergeron

Jonathan Esteves

Noah Stemple

Michael Wright Jr.

Congratulates the Graduates of

ASSABET VALLEY REGIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL!

Ashley Bumpus-Wright Brian Cappello

Noah Fernandes

Nicholas Lynch

Cody Curtis

Nicholas Rivera

Courtnie DiPilato

Andrew Smith

DJ Doucette

Natalia Vargas

Thank you to all of the graduates for submitting their photos - Congratulations!

24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, June 19, 2020

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