27 minute read
Polar Plunge
from MH 221216
Rimkus | from page 24 decorations, and three residences will receive $200 each for best home decorations.
To request one’s property to be in the residential judging email the BID by 4 p.m. on Dec. 15. Judges will select three homes from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.
Winter Market returns Dec. 17
Third annual Winter Market at the Hudson Town Hall tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop locally and buy dog treats, meat, poultry, fish, bread, baked goods, pies, candles, honey, maple syrup etc.
No overnight parking
No overnight parking on Hudson streets, effective Nov. 15 through April 1, 2023 from 12 A.M. to 7 P.M. Hudson police take notice.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Dec. 17 – Brian Parker, Joe DiFonzo, Kathy Kittredge and Ada Arenstrup Dec. 18 – Savannah Fillmore, Robert Simpson, Debbie Bryant, Deb Devereaux and Theresa Bryce Dec. 19 – Samantha Santana, Sarah Cressy and Dick Bushey Dec. 20 – Lexi Leandres Dec. 21 – Diane Durand, Jim Gasek and Bill Bissett Dec. 22 – George Dunnells, Michael Chartrand, Matthew Lenthal, Travis King and Yvonne Bleiler Dec. 23 – Teresa Costa Figueiredo, Emily Larkins, Ellen Auger, Mark O’Connell and Richard Charves Dec. 24 – Kristen Joyce, Holly Richardson, Karlie Lazarus and Hannah Knowles Dec. 25 – Chris Capobianco, Will Jackson and Patrick Moran Dec. 26 – Jay Murphy, Steve Falcone and Art Zina Dec. 27 – Dick Tracy, Kevin Appel, Ed Vorce, Carolyn and Alyssa Downing Dec. 28 – Chris Francis, “Dee” Jordan, Ron Hellen, Elizabeth Hydro, Cara Sullivan, Michael Fernandes, Adelaide Saragian and Danielle Watson Dec. 29 – Kayleigh Darwin, Carol Sedam, Jonathan Woodford, Anthony Luongo, Ben and Sam Jackson Dec. 30 – Danny Lopez, Don Garcia, Rachel Sousa, Luis Macedo, Brian Blais, Gerry Gault, Joanne Rossley and Dick Bombeno
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Dec. 18 – Mark and Kristi Edwards
LOOKING BACK TO 1971
Richard DeCenzo, manager of Riverside Gun Club, announced the Club would have a New Year’s Eve party.
A new rostrum was installed on the stage of Hudson High School in memory of Martin J. Tierney, assistant principal, teacher and coach. Three local girls attending a baton clinic won trophies: Joan Thibeault, Anna Mungeam and Cheryl Coffey. Cynthia Filipe was president of the Junior Historical Society.
Tickets for the Buonavia Club New Year’s Eve party were $6 each, and featured the Miller Jamrog quartet. Mike Laviano and Bob Lampinen were elected co-captains of the HHS basketball team. Kathy Bourneuf was coach of the HHS girls basketball team.
Send items for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson MA 01749 or email rrimkus18@comcast.net.
Marlborough Rotary plunges for polio
PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES Left: Plungers pose for a photo before their dive into the water.
Below: Plungers race to exit the water.
Polar Plunge | from page 1 in and everything.”
Vital, who participated in the plunge, said his life flashed before his eyes.
“In a split second, I saw the light, but it was nice to pop out of the water and say, ‘Now, where’s my towel,’” he said.
With a donation to participate, the participants received a long sleeve shirt, custom mug and hot chocolate.
The event was sponsored by Interact Clubs from the Advanced Math and Science Academy, Marlborough High School and New England Innovation Academy.
The polar plunge was an opportunity for the teens who participated to start talking about polio, Vital said.
Eradicating polio is one of Rotary International’s causes. According to its website, the organization has been working towards this effort for over 35 years with its members contributing over $2.1 billion and numerous volunteer hours.
For more information on the work of the Marlborough Rotary Club, visit https://www. marlboroughrotary.org/. Optimize Your View Optimize Their View
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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Marlborough’s New England Innovation Academy featured on CBS series
By Cindy Zomar Education Coordinator
MARLBOROUGH – If you haven’t caught any of the streaming CBS News series, America ByDesign, be sure to watch the Dec. 10 episode when Marlborough’s newest independent school, the New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), was featured.
The show, which is in its third season, highlights imagination, creativity and entrepreneurship across America presented in a competitive format. An innovation will be selected at the end of each episode as a finalist, and the top innovation of the season will be chosen at the end.
“We’re honored to be featured alongside some of the top innovators and designers in the U.S.,” founding Head of School Tom Woelper said.
NEIA has 95 innovators enrolled
The unique opportunity to showcase the school through the CBS ByDesign program is not lost on Woelper.
NEIA opened in 2021 and offers unique opportunities to students in grades six through 12.
Located at the end of Locke Drive, the campus had been home to a corporate training center as well as an international boarding school in the past.
Woelper said that Marlborough was a front runner as a location choice.
“Even if this 26-acre facility hadn’t been available at the time, Marlborough would have been a natural choice for its proximity to the 495 biotech corridor, easy access to Route 90, and the number of opportunities for internships at local companies,” Woelper said.
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Trustee Matthew Kressy, who is also the founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s integrated design and management master’s program, encouraged a curriculum based on innovation, human-centered design and entrepreneurship.
At NEIA, there aren’t traditional classrooms where instructors lecture to students seated in neat rows. In fact, once applicants are enrolled, they are referred to not as students, but as innovators.
Admission is by application only, and it includes an interview with NEIA staff.
“We look for applicants who are independent, comfortable with experiential learning, and who enjoy group work,” explained Woelper.
NEIA is a design school that encourages an empathetic approach to determining stakeholder needs before launching into a production phase. An integrated curriculum is applied across all aspects of the learning experience. Its assessments are competency based and illustrated through papers and projects instead of examples of rote memorization.
The school’s maker spaces are equipped with cutting-edge technology, and learning labs foster free thinking and collaboration.
It culminates in a gala where the innovators unveil their finished projects. Business partners offer opportunities for discovery and eventual internships.
In its inaugural year, there were 65 innovators enrolled, including 18 who boarded. Currently, NEIA’s enrollment is made up of 95 innovators and 28 boarders.
The regional accreditation board, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is planning a spring visit and then again next fall before the process is complete. With that accreditation, NEIA will be able to offer student visas to international students, which staff anticipates will result in an increase in enrollment.
Viewers are encouraged to vote in the Peoples’s Choice Awards section of the American Standard America ByDesign. To vote for NEIA, visit https://www.bydesign. global/america-features/newengland-innovation-academy.
Marlborough schools deal with lower MCAS scores, absenteeism
By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter MARLBOROUGH – While the COVID-19 pandemic has abated, its aftereffects continue to be felt.
For Marlborough Public Schools, as in school systems across the state, extensive absences caused by the pandemic have led to lower MCAS scores.
During the School Committee meeting on Nov. 22, R.J. Skala, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, presented the results of the 2022 MCAS – the first time students in grades 3-8 had been tested since 2019.
Statewide, math scores rose, while English language arts scores declined, as did writing scores.
For Marlborough, students scored 30.1% proficient in ELA – 4% lower than the previous year, and 11% below the state average.
“There’s certainly a lot of work to be done there,” said Skala. “It’s something we cannot ignore.”
He said MPS will implement a series of programs to help bolster literary and writing skills. As part of their efforts, there will be dedicated writing blocks in kindergarten through fifth grade along with introducing an English learner model where first to fifth grade are pushing-in to classrooms for writing blocks.
Additionally, Marlborough will be introducing the Reading Ways Program, which staff said gets all disciplines involved in reading and writing, and using NoRedink and Quill in conjunction with the pilot programs.
For secondary school students, the schools are planning “acceleration academies” in December, and possibly in February and April, to help students wishing to retake the MCAS.
Skala reported some good news from the latest round of MCAS – higher math scores for grades 3-5 overall; higher math scores for grade 3 at Jaworek Elementary School; higher ELA scores for grade 4 at Kane Elementary School and Marlborough High School.
Absenteeism
Over the past two school years, a lot of students lost a lot of instructional time.
According to the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the average student missed 11 days in 2021 and 15 days in 2022.
For Marlborough Public Schools, missed instructional time becomes even more apparent.
For the 2021-22 school year: • Whitcomb: 246 students with 18+ days absent out of 1,162 enrolled (21.2%) • Jaworek: 119 students with 18+ days absent out of 674 enrolled (17.7%) • Kane: 106 students with 18+ days absent out of 513 enrolled (20.7%) • Richer: 143 students with 18+ days absent out of 553 enrolled (25.9%) • Goodnow: 179 students with 18+ days absent out of 753 enrolled (23.8%) • MHS: 351 students with 18+ days absent out of 1,091 enrolled (32.2%)
“The numbers are very alarming,” said School Committee member Heidi Matthews.
She added that not having remote learning options available “kills me.”
MPS Superintendent Mary Murphy said COVID hit the state hard in January and February, leading to much of the increase in absenteeism among students and staff.
Skala said the schools are reaching out to students with 15 or more days absent to work out plans to make up for lost instruction.
COMMUNITY OBITUARIES
The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows). Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate.com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www. communityadvocate.com).
DEATHS
Anish, Gerald formerly of Shrewsbury Aronson, Pamela of Grafton Boutilier, Richard of Northborough Brescia, Vincent of Shrewsbury Christie, William of Shrewsbury Cleary Jr., John of Hudson Cole Jr., Richard of Grafton Constantine, Darcia of Hudson Currier Jr., Richard of Northborough DiNitto, Fay of Marlborough Hermans, John of Southborough Joncas, Anita of Grafton McCulley, Anneli of Marlborough Neddo, Robert of Shrewsbury Pearson, Richard of Marlborough Place, Robert of Marlborough Raymond Sr., Dennis of Westborough Samuels, Connie of Grafton San Clemente, Alphonse of Shrewsbury Strout, Terry of Westborough Washburn, Joanne of Marlborough
Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.
Anneli K. McCulley, 89
MARLBOROUGH - Anneli K. McCulley (Uotila), 89, of Marlborough, MA, passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 26, 2022. Passionate and strong in her faith, Anneli was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend.
She was born in Lammi, Finland on October 13, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Arvo and Taini (Jokinen) Uotila.
A strong, independent, and adventurous woman, Anneli left Finland at the age of 19 to attend nursing school in Alton, England. Upon graduating, she embarked on a long nursing career that led her to work in England, Finland, Canada, Australia and the United States. Upon immigrating to the United States, Anneli married the love of her life, James McCulley, in 1967, and settled down in Marlborough, MA in 1969, where she remained for the last 53 years.
Anneli is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 33 years, James M. McCulley, who predeceased her in 2000, and her loving son William E. McCulley, who predeceased her in 2011.
Anneli is survived by her son Conrad McCulley of MA; son Matthew McCulley of GA, his wife Amy, and grandchildren Emma and William; daughter-in-law Eva Maria McCulley of TX, and grandchildren Paul, Joshua, and Andrew; stepdaughters Marvis Searle and Jodee Watkins; stepsons James McCulley Jr and Mark McCulley; four sisters, Ritva Karvonen, Sirkka Korhonen, Armi Lajunen, and Saara Nyyssonen; two brothers Vesa Uotila and Ari Uotila; sister-in-law Emma Jean Trader; and many nieces and nephews. She is also predeceased by her older brother, Heimo, and younger sister, Riitta.
The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
Fay DiNitto, 81
Marlborough - Fay Marie DiNitto, 81, of Marlborough—beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend— died peacefully on Wednesday, at New Horizons Assisted Living in Marlborough.
Born in Detroit, MI, Fay grew up in Weston, MA, the daughter of the late Fay and John Schuch.
She graduated from Regis College with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. Fay’s patient, smiling face could be seen at the reception desk at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Marlborough, and the Sisters of Saint Anne in Marlborough for many years. She was active in her church, St. Matthias Parish, in Marlborough, singing in the choir and baking bread for communion.
She is survived by her husband, Nickolas DiNitto, and four children: Carolyn, Christine Caulfield and her husband Brian, Jonathan and his wife Rebecca, and Jason and his wife Lori; her sister Cathy Clancy and her husband Michael, and brother Christopher and his partner Sue Backe; her grandchildren Benjamin, Allison, Sean, Elena, Celia, and Nickolas; her nieces Rachel and Abigail, nephews Matthew and Sam. She is preceded in death by her sister, Linda Carlene Trueblood.
The Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
Joanne Washburn, 24
Marlborough - Joanne Washburn, 24, passed away on November 29, 2022.
She was born in Boston, Ma on July 19, 1998. Survived by her parents George & Josephine, her sisters Jamie and Jacqueline. Her niece Annabelle and her nephew Dom, her Nana Babsy, her many aunts, uncles and cousins and her Cat Aura.
Small in size, but not in soul. Joanne touched countless lives in her short time here - spreading compassion, love, and understanding every place she went. She was a lover of nature, music, animals & creating deep bonds with those she cared about. No matter her own struggles, she always bent over backwards to care for those who couldn’t care for themselves.
She had an incredible ability to bring out the child in everyone, and through this made the world a little kinder & more silly. She was able to immerse anyone in the fun she created; collecting drawings from friends & strangers alike on her Etch-a-Sketch, bringing people together through a game of Jenga, or simply laying down a blanket in the grass to create a loving space for all.
Joanne was the fiercest friend you could find. Bold, strong & wild, Joanne said it how it was and defended her friends with an energy that can’t be replicated. Also gentle and kind, she constantly showed a range of compassion and emotion that you rarely find. She was kind for kindness’ sake, if only to make this life a little easier on those around her. It is this quality that she will be most remembered by, and the one that she always wanted to pass onto this world.
Be Kind :-)
The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
“THAT 70s SHOW” SUPER CROSSWORD
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COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Jersey Mike’s Subs grows fan base in Central Massachusetts
By Kathryn Acciari Contributing Writer
SHREWSBURY - Tyler Tombs discovered Jersey Mike’s Subs as a child growing up on the Jersey Shore and has remained a fan for so long, he decided to join the franchise and open his own shops. “I started eating Jersey Mike’s sandwiches at age five and became a regular customer. It got to the point where I would walk in, and they would have my sub ready for me!,” said Tombs.
Tombs opened his first store in Shrewsbury just after COVID. He had been working in an accounting role through the pandemic and realized that he did not care for working from home.
“I discovered that I could open a Jersey Mike’s store in Shrewsbury. I trained for a year and then opened the store in November of 2021,” said Tombs.
Tombs opened a Westborough shop in June of 2022 and plans to expand into Worcester and other markets. He plans to build his team and promote from within.
“Our culture is positive and safe, very upbeat and familyfriendly. ” said Tombs. “We train our staff from the beginning, as if they have never before worked in food service, and each team member grows at their own pace.”
The franchise subscribes to a philosophy known as the Power of the Sub Sandwich.
“At Jersey Mike’s we believe that in the process of making someone’s sandwich, we can brighten their day,” said Tombs. “Making subs should be fun.”
The Jersey Mike’s franchise prioritizes giving back, and this gives Tombs an opportunity to connect with the local community. March is the Month of Giving, and in 2022, the franchise supported the Special Olympics at a national level and gave over $20,000,000 to the non-profit. “We also have an annual Day of Giving, where 100% of the proceeds of our sub sales goes to a local charity. At our Shrewsbury store, we raised $16,000 in Shrewsbury this year for The Special Olympics. There was a line out the door even past closing time. My parents came to help, and they baked bread all day,” recalled Tombs. “Jersey Mike’s is a national franchise, but each shop is locally owned. We’re members of the community.”
Jersey Mike’s makes subs that are similar to what a local mom-and-pop sub shop would make. The restaurant prepares subs “Mike’s Way,” which includes topping the sandwich with The Juice, a secret red wine and vinegar blend. Some of the most popular subs are the Original Italian, the Turkey and Provolone, and Mike’s Famous Chipotle Cheesesteak.
“Our Shrewsbury grand opening set records. Even during the winter COVID surge, people were buying our subs. Our food travels well, so it is easy to take home,” said Tombs. “If you haven’t tried us, you should give us a shot!”
Visit Jersey Mike’s Subs at 120 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury or go to https://www.jerseymikes.com/16030/shrewsbury-ma.
PHOTO/COURTESY TYLER TOMBS Wendy, Walter and Tyler Tombs post inside Jersey Mike’s
Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
Crafting builds strong sense of community at Craftworks
By Kathryn Acciari Contributing Writer NORTHBOROUGH - Crafters in the area have discovered a community of like-minded individuals at Craftworks. The store provides artisans and crafters with a place to both create and sell their handmade goods.
Divided into two spaces, the gift shop side of the store began as a crafters’ co-op in 1979. It features handmade works by local crafters. Just about every item is one-of-a-kind and American-made.
The yarn side of the store has existed for 10 years and is where knitting and crochet fans come for their materials and to exchange ideas.
Owner Ande Lockwood has a knack for bringing people together and turning handcraft into community. In addition to filling her store with a colorful rainbow of yarns, Lockwood has fostered human connectivity through the events that she plans.
“We hosted a bus trip to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival in October, and the first bus filled within four days,” said Lockwood. “We had to get a second bus.”
One on-site class that will be offered in 2023 is The Sock Club, which will occur twice a month and provide guidance on knitting and crocheting techniques to master.
“The shape of your foot determines the type of sock that you should make,” said Lockwood. “Our customers will learn the basics and then move on to more complicated techniques.”
In addition to classes, Craftworks offers the opportunity for customers to bring in their projects when they need help. The Doctor is In program, also starting up in 2023, will feature sessions with an in-house expert.
In the meantime, help is always available. “We always say, ‘If we can fix it standing up on one foot in five minutes, then it’s free.’ Really, people can drop in, or schedule time with one of our experts to get help on their knitting or crochet project,” said Lockwood.
Technology has helped Lockwood expand into a global, online business. Individuals can register for lessons online, and Craftworks also participates in Virtual Yarn Crawls. Other online options include Fiberside Chats two Sundays a month.
“We always have notorious knitters and crocheters as the expert at our Fiberside Chat. We typically have over 250 people on the chat with these experts who share their tips and tricks,” said Lockwood
Craftworks offered its first Kids’ Crafting Club this past summer where students learned to weave, crochet, make felted soap, drew with sidewalk chalk, and did some junk journaling among other crafts.
Craftworks makes customer happiness a priority.
“There has been a real resurgence of handcraft for relieving anxiety and stress. The mental benefit is huge,” said Lockwood. “We are very big on customer service here. Our customers know what they want, and we try to make it happen. This is their store.”
Craftworks will be closed the first week of January 2023 for inventory and will reopen Friday January 6th. Visit Craftworks at craftworkscoop.com.
Stacey Incorvaia, Maer Rubley, and owner Ande Lockwood stand in Craftworks.
PHOTO/ KATHRYN ACCIARI Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
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COMMUNITY SPORTS
‘Quality not quantity:’ Marlborough boys track gets ready for winter season
By Caroline Gordon Reporter MARLBOROUGH - As the Marlborough High School boys varsity track team races around the indoor track, they keep one goal in mind — to beat their own personal records.
“Every day, throughout the season, if they throw further, run faster and jump higher, that is my goal for them — to self improve,” Head Coach Emily Welton-Reis said.
Since COVID-19 struck, Welton-Reis said the team has been “wicked low in numbers,” making it difficult for them to compete against larger teams within their division.
She wanted more students to join the team, arguing that track allows the athletes to improve on a personal level.
Though there are only 10 athletes on the team and about one athlete competing in each event, Welton-Reis said she believes her team could qualify for district meets.
“They are going to hold their own with competition … their focus at practice is amazing and they want to do great,” she said.
The athletes enjoy warming up together before practice despite participating in different events.
“They all are supportive of each other and listen and help each other out and they get along,” Welton-Reis said.
She added, “They are a really great group of kids, that’s for sure.”
The small team does not have captains, but Welton-Reis said senior JT Horn serves as a leader.
Horn is the only distance runner on the team. Since there are not many seniors on the team this season, Horn said he welcomes the new athletes to the team by introducing them to different events.
“Whenever a new kid comes to try it out, we are always supportive. We usually become friends pretty quickly,” he said.
There are a few new faces joining the team this season, who have been “working their butts off” during practice, according to Welton-Reis.
Specifically, Welton-Reis said one senior, thrower Emerson Teixeira Ramos, is “wicked fast,” and she is encouraging him to also participate in sprinting events.
“He’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well he does in the dash,” she said.
Athletic Director Jeff Rudzinsky sometimes stops by the indoor track to cheer on the team during practice.
“Although they are a younger team, I am really excited [and] they seem really excited about it,” Rudzinsky said.
He added, “It’s quality, not quantity.”
PHOTOS/CAROLINE GORDON Top: An athlete practices shot put. Left: Athletes race around the track during practice. Right: An athlete practices a team race.
21 APEX DRIVE | MARLBOROUGH, MA
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By Caroline Gordon Reporter SHREWSBURY - Since he was nine, Shrewsbury resident Ryan Dixon has been a Special Olympics athlete. Now, 28 years later, he will be inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame next June.
Ryan said he was “shocked” when he found out he would be inducted.
The Dixons said the Special Olympics have bonded them as a family. His mom, Diane, said Ryan’s brothers Sean and Eric, join in on the Special Olympics games.
“We’ve kind of roped them [their family] all in, but we really didn’t have to try because they all just love it,” Diane said.
Basketball, soccer and bowling are Ryan’s favorite Special Olympics sports to play, and he enjoys bowling in his free time.
Being a Special Olympics athlete has allowed Ryan to travel across the country and world. He’s traveled to Nebraska for a soccer tournament and Iowa to play bocce. His basketball team participated in the Special Olympics World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
“We won silver medals and I made a lot of friends,” Ryan said.
To stay in top shape for international competitions, Ryan said he runs 5Ks to raise money
Ryan Dixon smiles for a photo after basketball practice.
COURTESY OF DIANE DIXON
COMMUNITY SPORTS Grafton Youth Lacrosse players selected for Mass Bay Colonials
By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter
GRAFTON - Hunter Laverdiere and Beckett Heidenthal of Grafton were selected to the Mass Bay Colonials boys lacrosse team that traveled to Houston on Dec. 10-11 to compete in the Best of Texas Lacrosse Tournament.
Heidenthal and Laverdiere are two players of 22 selected from more than 200 athletes from 125 town lacrosse programs from central and eastern Massachusetts.
“The Mass Bay Colonials is an extension of our community-based youth league, Mass Youth Lacrosse, and was founded to promote and celebrate town-based lacrosse and the elite athletes who commit to their communities each spring,” said Joey Picard, Colonials founder and general manager.
Laverdiere is a fifth-year player with the Grafton Youth Lacrosse Program. He plays midfield and is currently in seventh grade at Grafton Mid-
COURTESY PHOTO Hunter Laverdiere and Beckett Heidenthal have been selected to represent Massachusetts at Best of Texas Lacrosse.
dle School. He’s a multisport athlete who also plays football and basketball.
Heidenthal is a sixth-year player with the Grafton Youth Lacrosse Program. He plays defense and is currently in eighth grade at Grafton Middle School. He’s also a multisport athlete playing basketball and running cross country.
The program has been continuously growing in numbers both boys and girls, and it is known throughout Central Massachusetts for having an immense respect for the game, creating a place to learn while also producing great competition and strong athletes.
In addition to performance at the tryouts, players submitted recommendations from coaches, teachers and community leaders to earn a spot from the selection committee.
This year marks the third iteration of the Mass Bay Colonials, but the first time with both a boys and girls team, as Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse added a girls league to the organization in 2022. The Mass Bay Colonials will send a boys team (Class of 2027) and a girls team (Class of 2027/2028) to Houston to compete against teams from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and others from across the Southwest.
The boys team will be led by head coach Nathan Kittler – the head coach at Natick High School who was named the 2022 Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association coach of the year. Kittler will be assisted by Ed McCarthy, a longtime youth and high school coach who has been a Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse coach education trainer for the past five years.
Rounding out the coaching staff is Tom Spangenberg, the current chair of Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse Board of Directors, former president of the board, and longtime youth coach with Dover-Sherborn Youth Lacrosse.
“As a league, we focus on many important facets of the game designed to grow lacrosse and honor its sacred traditions, and the Colonials is one such example of how we’re uniting our towns, prioritizing teaching the skills in a fun environment, and promoting the importance of character, community and camaraderie. We’re thrilled to bring the finest athletes and coaches from our small community to a much larger one in Texas this winter,” said Spangenberg.
The Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse, a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization, was founded in 1992 by a group of town youth lacrosse programs that had the common goal to promote the growth of the game of lacrosse throughout Massachusetts by providing leadership, guidance, training and structure to anyone interested in lacrosse.
More than 110 town programs participate in MYL with more than 1,000 teams and 14,000 players participating in an eight-week spring season, followed by the largest youth lacrosse jamboree in the country over two weekends in Devens.
In the spring of 2022, a new girls league launched with 21 town programs and 2,000 girls players. More than 70 girls programs will be participating in 2023.
For more information, visit www.massyouthlax.org.
Ryan Dixon | from page 30 for the Special Olympics. Ryan also participates in the Polar Plunge.
Ryan estimates that he raised about $6,000 for the Special Olympics last year.
‘The Mayor of Shrewsbury’
Ryan is a Shrewsbury High School graduate and his mom, Diane, said former classmates and Shrewsbury residents call him “the mayor of Shrewsbury.”
In addition to being friends with police and firefighters that he graduated from high school with, Diane said he is good friends with fellow alumni Jawad Yatim, who owns the Massachusetts Pirates, which is a professional indoor football team in Worcester.
During his time as a Colonial, Ryan played basketball and was the mascot for the cheerleading team.
His father, Steve, said that he is thankful Shrewsbury has a Special Olympics program and athletic facilities for the athletes to practice at.
“Shrewsbury is very good to us,” Diane said. “We don’t look for venues to play basketball or soccer or anything. We are extremely lucky in Shrewsbury.”
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