Nadreau receives distinguished award

Written by: Bro. Jimmy Falzone

A worthy man received the Distinguished Service Medal recently at the Olive Branch Lodge in Douglas. The lodge was packed with Master Masons from throughout the 24th Masonic District. Master Masons came to witness Worshipful David nadreau received the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal. This award is given for exemplary and distinguished service to the Fraternity, and the community.

Brother nadreau has been a Master Mason for 17 years and loved freemasonry. He was raised to a Master Mason in 2006. He quickly rose through the ranks and became Worship Master of Mumford River Lodge in East Douglas in 2009 and remained Master until 2012. The Grand Masonic Lodge in Boston had their eyes on this worthy young man for his excellence and appointed him to the District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) of the 24th Masonic District in 2013, and he remained in this position until 2016. In 2017-2018 he helped merged Mumford River Lodge into Olive Branch Lodge. His commitment does not stop there. He is a dietician and serves as the Food Service Director for multiple colleges and universities in the Boston area. His support and skills to the fraternity comes in meals. Brother nadreau is the go-to guy for catering of Masonic events. He knows how to cook and most of all he knows how to plan these events. He understands the logistics of planning and catering of large events. He has catered many, many community events for Lodges in Massachusetts. The Brethren here at the Olive Branch Lodge are very proud and honored to give the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Award Medal to brother nadreau for his honorable service to Freemasonry.

If you would like more information about Freemasonry, go to www.massfreemasonry.org to find a lodge nearest to you.

Beginning Bridges upcoming activities

Beginning Bridges CFCE‘s vision is that children, youth, and families reach their full potential now and in the future. Their mission is to work with families and community partners to create the conditions for children, youth and families to thrive socially, academically and economically.

Funding for the Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) is provided by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care (EEC) and sponsored by South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC-Childcare/Head Start). Beginning Bridges has funding for the towns of Mendon, northbridge, Upton & Uxbridge. Currently, our FREE comprehensive services include weekly indoor and outdoor parent/child playgroups. Also offering parent education programs, the Ages & Stages Developmental Quest-ionnaire and can connect families to resources.

Upcoming Events-Registration is required for all upcoming events. Links can be accessed on our website (BeginningBridgesCFCE.weebly.com) or contact Emily Murray at 508-278-5110 or Emurray@smoc.org.

• Mondays to Fridays, Parent Child Playgroups,

9:00 to 10:45 am, at the Uxbridge Playcenter, 9 north Main Street, Uxbridge, lower left office.

• Saturday, 04/01/23, Free Kids Fair, 10:00 am –12:00 pm, at the Whitin Community Center, 60 Main St. Whitinsville. DROP-In

• Saturday, 04/01/23, Free Eggstravaganza, 11:00 am – 11:45 pm, WCC’s Egg Hunt at the Whitin Community Center, 60 Main St. Whitinsville. DROP-In

• Tuesday, 04/04/23, Music and Movement with Deb Hudgins, 10:30 to 11:00 am at Upton Town Library. Check Library website for location and registration information.

• Wednesday, 04/05/23, Coffee and Conversations, 9:15 to 10:15 am at Taft Public Library, 29 north Ave in Mendon, join us for an informal playtime where families will be able to build social connections, learn about early childhood development and family friendly resources. Muffins from Muffin House Cafe will be provided. Please stay for the 10:30am Puppet Storytime. Register online at Taft Public Library.

• Wednesday, 04/19/23, Music and Movement with Deb Hudgins, 10:30 to 11:00 am at Whitinsville Social Library. Check Library web-

Grass Roots Coffeehouse season opens

The Grass Roots Coffeehouse, founded in 2000 has been hosting Bluegrass and Folk concerts for over 20 years. After closing down due to the pandemic, the venue will be restarting with two concerts this spring. Their first concert will take place on Saturday, April 15th with the band Redwood Hill performing.

Redwood Hill is a tribute band that pays homage to one of the greatest and most influencial bluegrass groups of all time - The Country Gentlemen, originally formed in the 1950's in Washington DC and active until 2004. The name Redwood Hill, a popular Country Gentlemen song is an orignal of Gordon Lightfoot. The Gents were one of the first bands to integrate songs outside of bluegrass, such as from Lightfoot and Bob Dylan into their main repertiore. The band also sought out new venues, like colleges and coffeehouses for performances. Redwood Hill is a joyous, cohesive quartet of veteran southern and western new England musicians featuring Dave Orlomo-