The New Uxbridge Times - January, 2023

Community Electricity Program

Public outreach will begin this month

The Town of Uxbridge has announced that it will launch its electricity aggregation program, known as Uxbridge Community Electricity, in March 2023. The program is designed to provide more electricity options for residents and businesses in Uxbridge. The program was approved by residents at Town Meeting and by the Department of Public Utilities.

The program prices will be fixed over the 21-month term of the Electric Service Agreement from March 2023 through December 2024. The standard product of the program will be 16.310 cents per kWh. The national grid Residential Basic Service rate from november 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 is 33.891 cents per kWh. Future savings under the program compared to the national grid Residential Basic Service rate are not guaranteed.

The program will have one optional product with 100% renewable energy content at 17.850 cents per kWh.  All additional renewable energy will be provided from MA Class I Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

In late January 2023, Uxbridge will start a public outreach effort to inform residents and businesses about the program. All Uxbridge electricity accounts on national grid Basic Service will be eligible for automatic enrollment in the standard product as of their March 2023 meter read. At least 30 days before enrollment, each eligible customer will receive a Customer notification Letter with detailed program information and instructions on how to choose an optional product or how not to participate. Customers can opt-out of the program at any time without penal-

ties or termination fees. Customers who are currently enrolled with a third-party electric supplier will not receive the Customer notification Letter and will not be automatically enrolled. These customers can voluntarily join the program but may be subject to penalties or early termination fees from their current supplier.

The price for all program products

Take the Uxbridge Library Building Survey

Residents and library patrons are asked to participate in the Uxbridge Free Public Library Building Survey.

“We are working with library consultant Mary Braney to develop a Building Program,” Chris Powloka, Library Director, said. “This report will articulate the library’s vision of its future by honing in on current building space needs and projecting how these needs may change over the next 20-30 years.

It’s often described as a ‘set of instructions’ to an architect.” A completed Building Program on file with the Commonwealth is a requirement when seeking grant funding from the state library construction program.

Participating in this survey, which is

available through the library’s website or via https://www.surveymonkey.com /r/uxbbp, will inform future decisions relating to the Library building and its services. As part of the Building Program, the Library held public forums recently at the former Unitarian Church in Uxbridge and at the Uxbridge Senior Center.

Established in 1874, the Uxbridge Free Public Library is the public library for the Town of Uxbridge. Located in the historic Thayer Memorial Building since 1894, the Library strives to be a gateway to lifelong learning by offering a full spectrum of services, materials, and events to all.

includes a commission fee of $0.001 per kWh for the aggregation consultant for program management.  For more information about the program, go to uxbridgeelectricity.org or call 508-3014152

The information in this article was released by the town of Uxbridge via emails and online posted December 21st, 2022.

Interim Superintendent Michael Baldassarre is proud to announce that Uxbridge High School art educator Lisa Struppa has been named to the Massachusetts Arts Education Advisory Council.

“The educators at UHS continue to find ways to expand their knowledge and capacity, while enhancing their influence on the instructional practices of the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Baldassarre. “We look forward to seeing Ms. Struppa’s expertise modeled for her colleagues and Uxbridge alike.”

The Arts Education Advisory Council of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sought applications from individuals interested in advising DESE and the Board on topics related to arts education. Discussions will likely include the development of resources and initiatives centered on implementation of the 2019 Arts Curriculum Framework.

Ms. Struppa has driven a number of curricular initiatives at UHS, including

UHS Educator named to State Arts Advisory Council January Community Breakfast

The Holy Spirit Episcopal Church of Sutton will host a Community Breakfast this month on Friday, January 6th. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. A full

breakfast will be served for a donation of $5.00. Location of the breakfast will be Holy Spirit Episcopal Church located at 3 Pleasant St., Sutton, Ma.

a partnership with the Memory Project, growing community art events, and helping art students at UHS earn medalists in a number of art competitions. She teaches a number of fine arts classes, including Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Textile Design, and Art Zero. In the past six years, Uxbridge’s art program has grown from two standalone electives per semester to a robust program that also connects with the school’s Innovation Pathway in Information Science and Media.

“Ms. Struppa and our art team have continued to grow opportunities for students, and our continued evolution centers on understanding the nexus between state frameworks and the daily tidings of the classroom,” said Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin. “I am beyond excited and proud that Commissioner Riley and his team recognize her work and acumen and have thus put her in a position to influence others.”

The Joy of GivinG - Last month Russell Rosborough and Brian Langin from Saint Mary’s local Knights of Columbus Council #1562 made a generous donation to the People first food Pantry in Uxbridge. fMi about the Knights of Columbus visit: https://masskofc.org/business-directory/762/uxbridge.

Registration is open for the Uxbridge Youth Soccer League Spring Season.

The UYSL is open to all youth in the town from grades Pre-K3 through High School, regardless of past experience. There are no tryouts required and all are welcome. The league comprises multiple programs.

The Travel league is for U-10 to U18, and includes students from grades 3 through High School. UYSL is part of the Midland Area Youth Soccer League (MAYS), with teams grouped by divi-

sion and competing against neighboring towns. The schedule includes eight games, as well as playoffs for those teams eligible. Practices begin the week of March 27th with the first games held on April 1st. The sign up deadline is January 15th.

The U-8 league is for grades 1-2 and is a developmental league. It is considered part of the InTown program, but with games held at the nEFC sports complex in Mendon. The season starts April 13th with the first games held on April 15th. The reg-

istration deadline is April 1st.

The In-Town program includes U-4, U-5, and U-6, ranging from Pre-K3 to Kindergarten. It includes two practices per week for U-5 and U-6 and one practice per week for U-4. Players learn the basic dribbling and ball handling skills needed for competitive play. The registration deadline is April 1st.

Practices for the In-Town league through U-10 are led by a coach from the new England Revolution Academy, with assistance from volunteer UYSL coaches. Players grade 3-8 can also register for a separate Friday evening eight-week clinic hosted by the new England Revolution Academy for more advanced training.

Sign up for all programs can be found at uxbridgeyouthsoccer.com. For further inquiries, email info@uxbridgeyouthsoccer.com.

What could be more welcome than the soft breezes and scents of the garden – in January? Join the Blackstone Valley gardeners at their meeting on Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. for a tour of English gardens with Audrey Dempsey. Audrey is an experienced gardener and has traveled widely. She will take us to some of her favorite gardens across England, from the Royal Botanic gardens at Kew to the Royal Horticultural garden at Wisley in Surrey.

English gardens are recognized as the standard of garden excellence. From stunning borders to tapestry hedges, the English have a way with design, color, and texture. And Audrey’s skill with a camera produces remarkable photos which bring to life the many facets of

English horticulture at its best.

The Blackstone Valley gardeners is a 30 year old garden club that meets monthly from September to June. Meetings are held at the United Methodist Church, 61 Linwood Avenue in Whitinsville. For convenient parking, enter the lot behind the buildings on the south side of Church Street. A rear entrance to the church leads to the community room where meetings are held. The club sponsors inspiring speakers from across new England, funded by a highly successful plant sale that takes place in May.

So pull up your Wellies, put on a warm jumper, bring along your brolly (just in case), then settle back for a magical trip through beautiful English gardens.

Parish Pasta & Meatball Dinner

St. Peter Parish in northbridge is having a Pasta & Meatball Dinner on Saturday, January 14th starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  Bring you family and friends for a wonderful meal and meet some new friends!  Tickets are $15.00 per dinner and include salad and dessert. To go meals will be available and all orders must be purchased in advance. “Pay It Forward” purchase an extra dinner and we will deliver it to someone in need in our community.

Please call the parish office at 508234-2156 or email parishoffice@ stpeterrockdale.org to purchase tickets or if you have any questions.

New England Country Music Club dances

The new England Country Music Club has announced their January events. On Sunday, January 8th the "Al Carter" band will perform. And on Sunday, January 22nd the "Rhode Island Rednecks" band will play. Doors open at 12:15 p.m., music 1-5 p.m. for both dances. Events will take place at the Progressive Club located at 18 Whitin St., north Uxbridge. FMI: http://www.facebook.com/nECountry MusicClub.

Thank You for supporting our local scouts

Dear Valley Residents

I am writing to bring good news about your support for our girls and boys in our northbridge Cub Scout Pack 150 sponsored by St. Patrick’s Church in Whitinsville. We have just completed our six store-front popcorn fundraising sales for this year and the support for our girls and boys in Cub Scouting has been so impressive I just had to write and thank you.

Our Cub Scouts love to get a feeling of accomplishment for working to fund their pack program and to meet the community they live in. And thanks to all the old time Scouters who stopped by to tell of their scouting days and look at the display of pictures of our cubs in action doing their cub scouting today.

Your contributions from the smallest to the largest are combined to fund our scholarships for registration fees, summer camp fees and keeping the cost of our camping and program activities as low as possible. A share is also for our local Worcester county area Heart of new England Council for support of our camps and camping programs and camperships, and the popcorn company share also supports a partner organization to put popcorn in care packages for soldiers overseas and first responders on emergency service work like hurricane relief.

So thank you to all of you who stopped by and donated or just said “Hello” back to our cubs on duty. You really made their day!

And a BIg THAnK YOU to Shaws,

Walmart, and the Speedway gas Station in Whitinsville who provided space for our display.

And finally, we need to thank all the community churches which provide space for our dens to meet and for our activities like our annual Pinewood Derby Car Race, the Rain gutter Regatta Boat races, our Blue and gold Banquet and Arrow of Light graduation Ceremony and our large Pack meetings. This year we increased our size by more than 20 new cub scouts

and families raising our size to over 50 cubs.

My wife and I have been supporting the scouts as leaders for over 45 years and are amazed by all the support the Blackstone Valley has always given to the girl Scouts and Boy Scouts (now Scouts USA), and all the youth programs serving the children of the Blackstone Valley. THAnK YOU and KEEP IT UP.

- John Thompson; Pack 150, St Patrick’s Church, Whitinsville

By Christine Beauchaine

Uxbridge and northbridge have been friendly rivals for years. In fact, the first northbridge/Uxbridge football game was played in 1896! Local resident Bruce Caissie developed a real appreciation for that rivalry after he married a woman from northbridge.  It reminded him of a similar rivalry between Hudson and Marlborough, where he grew up.

In 2004-2005, Caissie upped the

ante. He came up with the idea to make it an actual competition between the towns and their high school sports teams. Kevin Shea, a sports reporter for Charter Worcester, had said it was a “battle” each time teams from these two towns met and Caissie decided to incorporate “battle” into the name of his competition.  It is known as the Battle of the Bridges.

Caissie approached then student athletes and family friends Sara Brodeur and her cousin Rebecca Westbury with

the idea of the competition. Both women were soccer players and interestingly, nieces of another local athlete Eddie Ebbling who played football for northbridge. Caissie told them that whichever school won the competition, he would present the trophy to the woman who attended that school. This began the tradition of presenting the trophy to a senior at the winning school. Uxbridge won the first year. Caissie noted that both women went on to successful careers locally.

Points are awarded whenever one of the towns’ varsity sports teams wins a game or a meet. If the meet or game is

between the two towns, a win is worth two points. games which end in a tie are worth half a point.

The Battle of the Bridges is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Caissie said he joined the organization so he could share his faith with similar men and so he could make the community a better place.  The Knights of Columbus already had basketball free throw and soccer kick challenges for youth ages 9-12.  Caissie said, “by starting a high school program, I felt it was extending our reach into youth sports to showcase what an order can do for families in the area and for the community.”

The Battle of the Bridges is now known worldwide, as it was featured in a Knights of Columbus newsletter. The winning school earns bragging rights, possession of the trophy and a banner.

Caissie, who has lived in the Blackstone Valley since 1990, says living here has been enjoyable because of all it has to offer.  He appreciates the history of the place and the opportunity to make a difference here through organizations like the Knights of Columbus.

Last month State Representative Michael Soter (R-Bellingham) and State Representative Joseph McKenna (R-Webster) announced that the town of Uxbridge was awarded $39,000 to complete an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The Project scope includes an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan encompassing all of grantee’s facilities, activities, programs and services. The Municipal

ADA Improvement grant Program is an annual grant program administered by the Office of Administration and Finance and the Massachusetts Office on Disability to fund capital improvements by municipalities to increase accessibility for people with disabilities. “I am very happy that this grant will support Uxbridge's effort to proactively complete an extensive review of handicap accessibility at town facili-

ties.,” said Rep. McKenna. “It is important to ensure that all residents have equal access to all facilities, and these funds will help establish a plan to make sure that happens.” “This grant funding will greatly assist Uxbridge in making our community more accessible for all.,” commented Rep. Soter “I applaud the town of Uxbridge for taking steps to ensure their facilitates are reviewed and updated to ensure accessibility.

Blackstone receives Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology Grant Funding

Last month, State Representative Michael Soter (R-Bellingham) and State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) announced that the town of Blackstone was a recipient of the FY23 Community Compact Cabinet Efficiency and Regionalization grant program. The Town of Blackstone was awarded $96,720 for the implementation of an epermitting system. Per the state website, the IT grant program is a competitive program focused on driving innovation and transformation at the local level through investments in technology. By using the power of IT, the

Commonwealth looks to drive innovation, make government more efficient, save taxpayer money, and make it easier for residents to interact and transact with their local government. grants support the implementation of innovative IT projects by funding related onetime capital needs such as technology infrastructure or software. Incidental or one-time costs related to the capital purchase such as planning, design, installation, implementation and initial training are eligible. “I applaud the Town of Blackstone for their work in securing this funding to help make our

communities more efficient.,” State Representative Michael Soter commented. “These funds are critical for ensuring that taxpayer money is not wasted, and all residents are able to interact with their local government.” “In the age where technology is so integrated into our daily lives, it is crucial that we support robust programs to improve our IT infrastructure,” said State Senator Ryan Fattman. “I admire Blackstone for their commitment to improving the daily lives of their residents by putting in the hard work to obtain this competitive grant.”

Students participate in Justice Mock Trial

Culminating an eleven-week program in which middle schools partnered with legal mentors from law offices, law schools, and state offices, Uxbridge students presented their cases about the Fourth Amendment at an in-person Mock Trial at the Uxbridge District Court.

The Uxbridge students conducted their hour-long trials to determine the outcome of a Fourth Amendment case centered around a school’s search of a student’s electronic device. The case involves a school principal finding more than they expected when searching a suspected student's cell phone.

“Our Mock Trial program prepares our students to steward and engage on important issues in our democracy,” said Matt Wilson, Executive Director of Discovering Justice. “This fall the students in Uxbridge and across the Commonwealth had the unique opportunity to learn about their personal rights from lawyers, examine the workings of the justice system, and explore and question the ideals of justice.”

Discovering Justice is a civic education non-profit that provides afterschool programs as well as in-school civics and social studies curriculum for K-12 students across Massachusetts.

Taught by experienced legal mentors, students in the Mock Trial Program grapple with real constitutional issues, develop persuasive arguments, and practice questioning and examining witnesses.

Last Fall, 29 middle schools across the Commonwealth participated in the Discovering Justice Mock Trial Program, the most schools in the program’s history. Statewide, the program serves more than 350 students with the help of more than 150 volunteer attorneys and 40 state and federal judges.

BVAA exhibit is calling all photographers

The BVAA welcomes submissions by all area photographers of all ages and skill levels. This is their 11th year producing this show and it is always the most popular show of the year.

Submissions can be images from expensive cameras, to toy cameras, to cell phones and iPads. Raw images as well as photoshopped pieces, show us your stuff. The images will be juried for cash prizes.

Submissions are due in the gallery by Saturday, January 7th, framed and ready to hang with a wire across the back. The submission form and a tutorial on how to ready your images can be found on our web page  BVAA.ORg. The gallery is located at 5 north Main Street in Uxbridge. Start the new year by doing something for yourself, share your favorite images with those who appreciate your skills.

There will be a reception to honor all participants and award the prizes. There will also be a Sunday afternoon talk from a professional photographer, to further enhance the show experience. Contact  info@bvaa.com.

inCLined- Castle hill farm by Robert evans

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UniBank Free Homebuyers Webinar

UniBank will be sponsoring free home buying webinars throughout 2023. These educational opportunities provide homebuyers with valuable information about finding and buying the home of their dreams.

Join UniBank's Mortgage Representative, Beth Caico (nMLS #414859) and Matthew Santurri of ERA Key Realty Services for the following webinar: Free Home Buying Webinar, Tues-

day, January 17th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Important discussion topics include: negotiating a Winning Offer, Finding the Right Mortgage and Pre-Qualifying, Down Payment Options, The Importance of Home Inspections, and more.

Attendees will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Sweepstakes to win gift card is subject to complete official rules which are available at UniBank's website. To enter, individuals must register and attend the seminar. no purchase or account required to enter. All seminar attendees will receive a $500 mortgage closing cost coupon from UniBank

The following programs will take place this month at the Uxbridge Free Public Library. The library is located at 15 n. Main St., Uxbridge, MA 01569

January 2023 Programs

nEW: nEWSBAnK - FREE

DIgITAL nEWSPAPER ACCESS

Did you find an interesting article online and get stuck behind a paywall? We're here to help! The Library now offers newsBank, a database that provides full page access to the Worcester Telegram and gazette, Boston Herald, the Providence Journal, and thousands of other publications. All you need is an Uxbridge library card or eCard — visit our website to get started.

STEAM nIgHT WITH BUILDWAVE

Join us at the Library on January 12 at 6 pm for a 1-hr high energy creative building event for kids that combines the spirit of an art program, the materials of a building workshop, and the framework of a video game. As your child creates with wave after wave of new objects, they build creative confidence, become better collaborators, and encounter design and engineering fundamentals in a unique and memorable

context. Registration is required.

ADULT PROgRAMS

Register now: Gentle Flow Yoga Mondays, Jan.. 9, 23, and 30 at 7 pm and Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10 am PopUp Library at the Senior Center Jan. 5 and 19 at 11:30 am

Gentle Parenting Virtual workshops Jan. 19 and 26 at 7 pm (Zoom) Book-a-Librarian need help downloading e-books and using other library digital resources? Contact the library to book a 30-minute appointment with a librarian for handson tech assistance. Wednesdays from 2:30 pm - 4 pm.

Join a Book Club: Uxbridge Senior Center Book Club

Still Life by Louise Penny, Jan. 10 at 1 pm

historical Fiction Book Club

March by geraldine Brooks, Jan. 17 at 3:30 pm

Bookies Book Club

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis, Jan. 30 at 6:30 pm

YOUTH & TEEn PROgRAMS

Register now: Teen Book-In-A-Bag (ages 13+)

Pick up your themed book-in-a-bag choice between Jan. 3-17

Little Lotus Yoga (ages 6+) Jan. 5, 9, 19, 23, and 30 at 4 pm

Music and Movement with Deb hudgins (all ages) Jan. 12 and 26 at 11 am

Lego Club Challenge Build Jan. 17 and 31 at 4 pm

Snowflake Tree Craft (ages 4-7) Jan. 7 at 11:30 am

Snowball Puffs Craft (ages 8-12) Jan. 10 at 3:30 pm

STeAM Night with Buildwave Jan. 12 at 6 pm

Birds: Storywalk at west hill Dam Jan. 18 at 10:30 am

winter Globe Craft (ages 4-7) Jan. 21 at 11:30 am

Teen Movie Night Jan. 23 at 5:30 pm

Bird Feeder Tubes Craft (ages 8-12) Jan. 24 at 3:30 pm

Virtual Fortnite Tournament Jan. 26 at 6 pm

Teen Paint Seashells (ages 13-19) Jan. 26 at 6 pm

Storytimes (registration required): Baby Storytime (0-2 years) Mondays, Jan. 9 and 23 at 11 am

Toddler/Preschool Storytime (2-3 years) - Wednesdays, Jan. 11 and 25 at 11 am

DROP-In PROgRAMS: Crafty wednesdays Wednesday mornings and afternoons

Please visit the Library’s website at uxbridgelibrary.org or call us at 508278-8624 to inquire about our upcoming programs or to register to attend! Many of our programs are supported by the Uxbridge Board of Library Trustees and the Friends of the Uxbridge Free Public Library.

Registration for MRMC Winter Wellness Programs

Milford Regional Medical Center is once again sponsoring a variety of wellness programs for the public this winter season. Registration is now open for the winter session programs, which are being held virtually and live streamed for participants to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

The winter session is offering up eight different weekly classes, which are led by certified instructors and will begin the first week of January. All classes run approximately one hour and take place in the evenings with the exception of the Saturday class, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Each session lasts ten weeks.

Classes and instructors include Mondays: Therapeutic Qi gong with george Vella and Zumba Toning® with Lisa Kohne; Tuesdays: Ease into Fitness with Sheri Richardson and Pilates Barre Fusion with Kathy Colwell; Wednesdays: Core & More with Patty Barron; Thursdays: Cardio, Core & Conditioning with Sheri Richardson and Mindfully Mixed Yoga with Cindi Scrimgeour; and Saturdays: Shape Up! with Lisa Kohne. For detailed descriptions of each class or to register, visit the hospital’s website (milfordregional.org) and click on

“Classes and Events.” Classes are $50 per session. Email  msanford@milreg. org or call 508-422-2827 with any questions.

Milford Regional Medical Center is a full-service, community and regional teaching hospital located in Milford, Mass. and serves patients from more than 20 towns in Central Massachusetts. The 149-bed medical center is a nonprofit, acute-care facility, where more than 300 primary care and specialty physicians  are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community with dignity, compassion and respect.

Milford Federal Bank is pleased to announce that Fatima Ferreira has joined Milford Federal as VP Loan Servicing Manager. Fatima will be responsible for managing and directing loan servicing activities, and will provide support to the SVP Residential and Consumer Lending.

Ferreira, a life-long resident of Milford, has held numerous positions in the banking industry over the past 25+ years, including 11 years as AVP Loan Operations Manager, Loan Servicing Assistant Manager and Commercial Portfolio & Commercial

Operations Manager at UniBank. Prior to UniBank, Fatima worked in Loan Servicing at Milford national Bank for 14 years, and MetroWest Bank in Framingham.

Established in 1887, Milford Federal Bank has been assisting its neighbors and friends for 135 years. Serving the greater Milford and Blackstone Valley areas in Massachusetts and northern RI, it has four conveniently located offices in Milford and Whitinsville, Massachusetts and Woonsocket, RI and can also be found on the Internet at MilfordFederal.com and Facebook.

nationally, november is devoted to celebrating veterans of the Armed Services. On november 9th, the Deborah Wheelock Chapter learned first-hand about the “race against time to locate and honor WW II, Korean and Vietnam War vets with a day-long trip to Washington, DC to thank them for their service”. Joe Byron of Manchester, nH, founded Honor Flight new England, a non-profit 501 c (3)

organization and serves as its Executive Director. He spoke at the Chapter’s meeting at their historic Simeon Wheelock House (1768) in Uxbridge.

In 2009 Honor Flights began nationwide. Mr. Bryon volunteered to start the program in new England, giving priority to the most senior or terminally ill veterans. There is no cost to veterans who apply to be selected for flights, and each veteran is accompanied by a

chaperone on the day-long trip. A gauntlet of military personnel and hundreds of well-wishers always gather to wave flags and carry ‘thank you’ signs, offering heartfelt send-offs and welcome home greetings at airports such as Manchester (nH) Regional and T.F. green (RI) in this area.

While in Washington, the veterans are treated to music, mail call, comradery and visits to many war memorials. According to Mr. Bryon, oftentimes tears result as “bottled up memories shared with no one for decades are shared in a safe, supportive and compassionate environment” since many have lived with survivor’s guilt and are overwhelmed by this experience.

The Deborah Wheelock Chapter is honored to help spread the word about this organization’s desire to reach those deserving veterans with one more Tour with HOnOR. Find veteran application, volunteer ‘chaperone’ and dona-

tion forms at https://honorflightnew england.org or contact Mr. Bryon directly at honorflightnewengland@ gmail.com.

The national Society Daughters of the American Revolution has promoted

oBiTUARY______ Israel R. Cruz, Sr., 90

Israel R. Cruz, Sr., 90, of Uxbridge, passed away on December 3rd, 2022 in Beaumont Rehab and Skilled nursing Center, Westborough.  He was the husband of the late Barbara V. (Reyes) Cruz who died in 2011. He was born in Maricao, Puerto Rico, the son of the late Sofia (Ruiz)

education, historic preservation and patriotism since its founding in 1890. If interested in joining over one million women actively volunteering to serve their communities contact deborah wheelockDAR@gmail.com.

Ruperto and was educated in Puerto Rico.

Israel worked as a machinist for guilford of Maine and had previously worked at nelmor in Uxbridge. He was also a member of the U.S. Army national guard, retiring after 20 years of service.

He enjoyed many projects around his home, especially tending to his animals.

He is survived by his children, Israel Cruz of Brighton, Alma Rodas of Douglas, george Mogollon, Sylvester Mogollon, Mario Reyes and Erik Mogollon; a brother, Willie Rivera; a sister, Violet Rivera, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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Blackstone River Valley national Heritage Corridor (BHC) hosted a volunteer recognition celebration for its VolunteersIn-Parks program last month, where it named the first recipient of its Suzanne Buchanan Volunteer of the Year Award.

This prestigious award was created to honor the legacy of BHC’s former volunteer program coordinator, who served in that role for a combined total of 23 years with the national Park Service and the nonprofit BHC. The special event also marked the 8th anniversary of its partner, the Blackstone River Valley national Historical Park, created on December 19, 2014.

Abigail Epplett of Uxbridge, earned the distinction of receiving the inaugural Suzanne Buchanan Volunteer of the Year Award through her varied and consistent volunteer efforts with BHC and Blackstone River Valley national Historical Park. “Suzanne Buchanan inspired volunteers to imagine the possibilities of historic preservation and natural resources conservation. She showed us that these resources can be the basis for exciting recreation and a vibrant quality of life,” explained Molly Cardoza, BHC’s Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement. “When looking towards our volunteers, there is no one who better embodied Suzanne’s welcoming spirit and enthusiasm as a Volunteer-In-Parks volunteer with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor than Abigail Epplett. “

According to Cardoza, Abigail volunteered across the VIP program, with the national Park Service in Pawtucket, at special events, and with BHC’s partners. “When we put out a call for volunteers, Abigail is always one of the first to respond and always arrives with infectious energy and enthusiasm,” Cardoza continued. “Abigail started volunteering with the Blackstone River Valley national Heritage Corridor in 2019 and has served as a volunteer and an intern with us. This year Abigail has greeted visitors to the Old Slater Mill national Historic Landmark, helped with maple sugaring crafts at Maple Sugar Days, showed visitors the stars at a night Sky program, cleaned up the Blackstone Valley as part of ZAP50, and did so much more. We know when Abigail signs up to volunteer, she will be there and will give her all! Volunteers like Abigail are what make this program so successful.”

Volunteers with the Volunteers-InParks program, including several partner organizations throughout the Blackstone River Valley, served a total of 30,607 volunteers hours for the Fiscal Year 2022 (October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022) at a value of $916,679. The national average value of a volunteer’s time is currently $29.95. Reported hours are considered an in-kind donation and can be used toward matching grants.

Three of BHC’s volunteer partner organizations received Partner of the Year Awards this year, including Waters Farm Preservation, Inc. of Sutton, MA; East Providence Historical Society of East Providence, RI: and north Smithfield Heritage Association of north Smithfield, RI.

“Volunteers are literally worth their weight in gold!” remarked Richard

Moore, BHC’s Board Chair. “That statement isn’t false praise by any means when, according to calculations from Independent Sector, our Blackstone Heritage Corridor volunteers contributed the equivalent of nearly one million dollars as a key part of the Heritage Corridor team!    For an organization that receives only limited federal and some private funding, BHC could not be as successful as it has been without the time and talents of our volunteers.”

Volunteers who serve 250 hours earn a complimentary America the Beautiful Pass, providing them free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. The pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as

well as standard amenity fees (day-use fees) at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Thirteen of BHC’s volunteers earned an America the Beautiful Pass in the Fiscal Year 2022, including norma Bedrosian, Sue Ciaramicoli, Bonnie Combs, Bill Ela, Ken Ethier, Pam gurney Farnham, Keith Hainley, John Marsland, Albert Menard, Betty Mencucci, Alan Salemi, Paul Schaefer, and Edward Walker.

“BHC’s award-winning volunteers are essential to the mission of the Heritage Corridor beyond the valuable time they donate,” Moore added.   “They

are often among our most loyal donors of financial support, provide contacts for grants from businesses and foundations, and represent the public face of the Corridor. They collectively make a positive impact and ensure the long-term vitality of their communities and the region!”

“Our actions today support and promote development which, in turn, supports and promotes our environmental systems and enhanced recreational opportunities, as well as our social and cultural heritage,” he added.

To learn more about the Volunteers-In-Parks program, contact Molly Cardoza at mcardoza@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org or call 508-234-4242.

FMI on BHC visit: BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.

White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Award-winning experimental play

Jakespeare Theatre Company (formerly Jakespeare Virtual Theatre Company) of Marlborough in collaboration with ValleyCAST (the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services) announces its first live stage show with the experimental, awardwinning play White Rabbit Red Rabbit by nassim Solei-manpour.

The play will be performed on January 6th and 7th, 2023 at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, January 8th, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the gB and Lexi Singh Performance Center, 60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA.

no rehearsals. no director. A different actor performs the never-before-seen script each night.

Forbidden to leave his country, playwright nassim Soleimanpour distilled the experience of an entire generation in a wild, utterly original play. WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT is a work about contemporary Iran and of nassim’s generation. A generation born amidst the hardship of the Iran-Iraq

war. A generation of computer-literate, well-informed young people who have never known an Iran other than the Islamic Republic.

Since its joint premiere in 2011 in Edinburgh and Summerworks festival WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT has been translated into more than 25 different languages and performed over 2000 times by some of the biggest names in theatre and film including actors John Hurt, Whoopi goldberg,

nathan Lane, Stephen Rea, Sinead Cusack, Marcus Brigstocke, Dominic West, and film director Ken Loach.

Fringereview said of Rabbit, “A stunning piece of theatre, thought-provoking and morally unsettling,” and The new York Times praised it as “A playful, enigmatic and haunting solo show.” Come be a part of a revolutionary and thrilling show unlike any other!

Tickets are discounted for the first week of sales only $10 each from December 5-11. After December 11: $20 for general admission and $15 for teachers, military, and those under 18 or over 64.

Tickets will be sold online at www.JakespeareTC. com/ rabbit beginning December 5. Tickets will also be sold at the door with payment by credit card; no cash please.

The play is presented by special arrangement with Boat Rock Enter-

tainment. Jake Lewis, Artistic Director, Jakespeare Theatre Company phone: 508-656-0205 | email; jake@jakespeare TC.com

For more information about this performance, visit openskycs.org/newsevents. To learn more about Valley CAST and/or Open Sky Community Services, visit openskycs.org.

ValleyCAST’s mission is to foster a creative and engaged community in the Historic Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of all people with and without disabilities.

ValleyCAST is the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services.

By blending best practices with the power of community, Open Sky provides individuals and families with the support they need to see beyond and live beyond perceived limitations to pursue fulfilling lives.

Women’s Bible Study begins

Coffee Break,  a non-denominational community Bible study for women will open their winter/spring season with a study of “1st and 2nd Timothy – Love and Loyalty,” beginning on Thursday morning, January 5th. Together, no matter where each of us is in our journey, we’ll be looking for the themes of truth, loyalty, endurance in difficulty, legacy, and more; and we’ll discover how these themes touch our lives today.

The study will be in small groups at Fairlawn Church—and we offer groups for those who feel more comfortable wearing masks, as well as groups for those who prefer not to wear masks. All the study groups are physically distanced in spacious rooms. Refreshments are provided, and child care is available for infants through pre-school age.

Coffee  Break  is free and open to anyone in the community and is held each Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Fairlawn Church.  Coffee Break offers women in the Blackstone Valley an opportunity to read and discuss the Bible, share questions and concerns, and develop new friendships.   Each lesson is independent, so if you can’t attend every week, you won’t feel “lost.” There’s no “homework” required, and no previous  Bible knowledge is necessary.  Study guides and bibles are provided free of charge.

Fairlawn Church is located at 305 goldthwaite Road (off   Hill  Street) in Whitinsville. For directions, questions, or to get more information, call  ginette at 508-234-4806 or visit fairlawncrc. org/outreach/coffeebreak.cfm.

Inside & Out

Alternatives’ Whitin Mill NESA Sculpture Exhibit

ValleyCAST, the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services, is pleased to once again partner with the new England Sculptors Association to create The Second Annual Inside and Out Exhibition. Seventeen sculptors from all around new England have created over thirty amazing works that will be seen inside the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage gallery, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA and outside on the grounds of the Whitin Mill complex at the same address. Four outside works are already installed on the grounds for people to enjoy.

The inside exhibit will open with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 5:30-7:30 pm. The public is also encouraged to attend the closing reception, which will include the announcement of three People’s Choice Awards, on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Voting ends at the end of the day on Friday, February 17, 2023, and the exhibit will end right after the closing ceremony on February 24, 2023.

The public is encouraged to come

explore the grounds and the gallery to see all the wonderful work “Inside and Out” and then to vote for their favorite sculpture by casting a ballot inside the gallery. Prizes for favorites will be awarded by people’s choice for first, second, and third place.

Regular gallery hours for this exhibit: Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. The gallery will be closed on Monday, January 16th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and on Monday, February 20th, for Presidents Day. Visits outside of regular gallery hours are by appointment only by contacting cristi.collari@openskycs.org.

The new England Sculptors Assn. was founded in 1948 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023. nESA has over 170 professional sculptor members, emerging sculptors, and Friends of nESA from all 6 new England states and new York. nESA members are selected by jury, and work in a variety of media. Since the Association has no brick-and-mortar presence, nESA partners with local galleries, museums, his-

torical sites, and communities to bring sculpture in all its amazing forms to the public, living up to its tagline of “bringing sculptures to communities”.

ValleyCAST’s mission is to foster a creative community in the Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of people with and without disabilities. ValleyCAST is the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services.

Open Sky Community Services blends best practices with the power of community. Open Sky provides individuals and families with the support they need to see beyond and live beyond perceived limitations to pursue fulfilling lives.

FMI about the exhibit with links to participating artist websites, visit openskycs.org/news-events. To learn more about the new England Sculptors Association, visit nesculptors.org. To learn more about ValleyCAST and/or Open Sky Community Services, visit openskycs. org. To schedule a visit to the gallery, call: (508) 234-6232 or email: Cristi.Collari@openskycs.org.

Applause by Madeleine Lord, dudley, MA

Intrepid Readers plan Book Club Meeting

This month on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m., The Intrepid Readers at the Simon Fairfield Public Library, located at 290 Main Street, Douglas, will be discussing Alexandra Fuller's Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight. The author describes her childhood in Africa during the Rhodesian civil war of 1971 to 1979, relating her life on farms in southern Rhodesia, Milawi,

and Zambia with an alcoholic mother and frequently absent father.

The Douglas Library will have copies of the book available. Call them for a copy, 508-476-2695. If you use Libby for books or audio, it is also available there. Refreshments inspired by the book will be served. All are welcome to join in.

Members of the Whitinsville Christian School’s girls varsity soccer team raised $2,630 for the oliva fund. (Pictured L to R): Soccer Coach Beth Cutler, Meadow o’Connell, Amanda Cinelli, Milford Regional President and Ceo edward J. Kelly, Milford Regional vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief nursing officer Judy Kelly, Margaret Johnson and Gillian McGee.

Tree of Life raises nearly $18,000 for Oliva Fund

A warmer than average December evening brought out a crowd of local residents and members of the Milford Regional Medical Center community

for the hospital’s Tree of Life fundraiser, held on December 5th. The annual event raised nearly $18,000 this year and is hosted by the Milford Regional

Healthcare Foundation. This is the most funding raised since the event began in 2003.

The Tree of Life honors and pays tribute to those who have been affected by cancer and benefits the Oliva Fund. Established in 2007, the Oliva Fund has been providing resources to support patients being treated at Milford Regional and the Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional and their families.

A portion of this year’s proceeds came from members of the Whitinsville Christian School girls varsity soccer team, who raised $2,630 for the Oliva Fund. Several members of the team presented Milford Regional’s President and CEO Edward J. Kelly and Milford Regional’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief nursing Officer Judy Kelly with a check during the Tree of Life ceremony.

The evening kicked off with a brief speaking program, followed by Milford resident Louis guerriere lighting the tree in memory of his wife, Janice. The evening culminated with a performance by the Whitinsville Christian School Vocal Ensemble.

Milford Regional Medical Center is a full-service, community and regional teaching hospital located in Milford, Mass. and serves patients from more than 20 towns in Central Massachusetts. The 149-bed medical center is a nonprofit, acute-care facility, where more than 300 primary care and specialty physicians are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community with dignity, compassion and respect.

senior corner

Plummer Place News

Plummer Place is the home of the northbridge Senior Center. Phone: 508-234-2002 Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

“Daily Coffee Time” at Plummer Place, 9-11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday. We will be brewing up fresh coffee and putting out lite snacks. We hope to see many of you that have enjoyed this time in the past, and hopefully see some new faces!

FInE’s 120 Club is back for another cycle. Drawings will start Thursday, January 5th and continue through May 18th. Tickets can be purchased at the Plummer Place front desk. 120 Club has weekly drawings for a chance to win $20 each week and your number gets put back in so you can win more than once. The grand prize drawing is held on May 18th for a chance to win $500, $400, $300, $200 or $100.

Tickets are on sale now at the Plummer Place front desk for your chance to win a 65” Lg Smart TV. 1 ticket for $10, 3 for $20. The drawing will be held on February 9th at the Plummer Place Super Bowl Party. You do not have to be present to win.

Scrabble players will meet Monday, January 9th and 23rd at 10:00 a.m. We are always looking for new players! Call Jeanne to sign up.

Veterans Services Rep, Carl Bradshaw will be here on Tuesday, January 10th at 10:30 a.m. for his office hour.

Salmon VnA Blood Pressure Clinic, Tuesday, January 10th from 11:00-12:00 p.m.

Women’s Discussion group will meet on Wednesday, January 11th at 1:00 p.m.

Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 18th at 10:30 a.m. Call Michelle to find out what book we are reading.

“Take a Hike” will meet Tuesday, January 24th, weather permitting, destination to be announced. All walks start at 10:00 a.m. Call Jeanne for more information.

Billiards Organized games every Wednesday from 8:3010:30 a.m. This is not a league, just an organized time that you know there will be others to hang out with and play a few games. Open to all, no charge, and no need to sign up.

UnIPAY from UnIBAnK is now available through F.I.n.E’s website to pay for any tickets for Plummer Place events. go to FInE’s website at http://nscfine.com and click on the UnIPAY link, follow the very easy instructions and you’re done. It’s the quickest way to sign up for events at our Center. Call us if you need assistance with using UnIPAY. SMOC Fuel Assistance 2022-2023 deadline is 4/30/23. If you or someone you know is struggling financially due to this winter’s heating bills, the Fuel Assistance Program may help. This income-based program begins november 1st and helps defray the cost of winter heating bills with applications accepted until April 30, 2023. Our Center is processing applications for residents; families and individuals under SMOC. Call Jeanne White at the Center for assistance.

Happy New Year!

“History of the Uxbridge Town Common” Presentation

On Sunday, January 15th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m, the Uxbridge Historical Society will present the “History of the Uxbridge Town Common” Slide Show at the Uxbridge Unitarian Church.

This presentation will showcase The Common from its earliest creation to the present day. Demonstrating its many uses, events, and gatherings, along with the changing landscape and a myriad of other uses that this central gathering place at the heart of Uxbridge has gone through. narration from notable Uxbridge historians will accompany this presentation. Select historical archives from our collection will also be on display. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Douglas Social Club plan activities

DAILY:

Monday: Painting class 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Balance & Strength Exercise 10 am, Mat yoga 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Cribbage 9:30 a.m., Zumba 9:30 a.m., Bingo & lunch $4.00 11:30 a.m., Technology Class 1 p.m. by appointment only, Jenga 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Balance & Strength 10 a.m., MahJong 1 p.m.

Thursday: Yoga 9:30 a.m,. Hand & Foot cards 1 p.m.

Friday: Balance & Strength 10 a.m.

AnnOUnCEMEnT:

If you need to see a SHInE counselor you may contact the center and we can set this up for you.

All daily activities are free of charge. You are welcome to stop in the center anytime to check out an activity.

Check our website for events that may not be listed here, https://www.douglas-ma.gov/202/ Adult-Social-Center-Senior-Center

EVEnTS:

• The center will be closed on Monday January 2nd & Monday January 16th.

• Sunshine Club new Year’s Party on 1/5/23 @ 12 p.m. (See Special Event at right) this event is being sponsored by the Douglas Cultural Council.

• Lunch and a Movie, “The Bucket List” on 1/11/23 @ 12 p.m., American Chop Suey $4.00 per person.

• Craft making, “wooden snowmen” and card making on 1/18/23 @ 11:30 a.m. There is no charge for this event. Refreshments will be served.

• Fuel Assistance will be here on 1/19/23 @ 10:00 a.m. by appointment only.

• Darci will be here for hearing aid cleaning on 1/19/23 @ 10 a.m.

These activities require you to sign up before the day of the event. Some events are prepaid, you can stop in the center anytime to sign up. You may also call the center to sign up for many events.

If you have any questions please feel free to call the center at 508-476-2283.

SPECIAL EVEnT:

Come celebrate the new Year with the  Douglas Sunshine Club’s new Year Celebration on January 5th, 2023. The club will be hositng a hearty Mac’n’Cheese Luncheon at the Adult Social Center located at 331 Main St., Douglas. The celebration will begin at 12:00 with lunch followed by music to dance to with The Flashback Band at 12:30. It’s glitz and glamour to welcome in  the new Year .

Lunch is $5 and you must RSVP by calling 508-476-2283 or stopping  at the ASC  in to sign up by Dec. 30. Hope to see you there.

DIRECTOR nEWSLETTER: need help filing your tax returns? Sign up for the AARP Tax Assistance Program! The program starts on Monday, February 6th and every Monday morning until mid-April. This program is open to Uxbridge residents only; please call the Center soon to book your appointment.

Thank you to everyone who purchased Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the Uxbridge Senior Center Activity Fundraiser. Jeanne Metcalf was our winner for the most doughnuts sold and received a Hannaford’s gift card. Congratulations Jeanne! The senior center raised over $700. We especially want to thank Sally Selvidge, Activity Coordinator, for her hard work and dedication for making these events very successful!! Thank you for all you do Sally!

Many of you smell the odor from Cresco Labs Cannabis Cultivation located at 612 Douglas Street in your travels or hear about it from residents. A hotline has been created to track the odor.  Please share this with anyone you think would benefit.  The call should be made as soon as odor is detected as it will be confirmed by an ‘odor receiver’ within 30 minutes of the call:  800-285-7232

The Senior Center in partnership with the Uxbridge Police Department will be starting a program to assist residents-adult or juvenile, who may be in jeopardy due to the tendency to wander.

The Return Home Registry Program is in the beginning stages, but if you are interested, the senior center would love to hear from you. According to the Alzheimer’s Association facts: Six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once; many do so repeatedly. Although common, wandering can be dangerous — even life threatening — and the stress of this risk weighs heavily on caregivers and family. For the juvenile, who may be a risk due to autism or developmental disabilities, the Return Home Registry Program may be of benefit to all. This program would put together a database for the police department to utilize if a resident wanders off from their residence. For more information and to enroll in this important program, please contact the senior center.

Many of you have been asking for updates regarding your fuel assistance applications. A recent message from SMOC indicates that they are extremely behind. Last year, they had only received 2,000 applications. This year they have already received more than 3,500 (not including nEW apps that have not been entered). The increase in applications and being short staffed has made them extremely behind. They truly are doing everything they can. If you need fuel assistance, please call the senior center to book your appointment!

Sincerely, Lisa; Director

• Thursday, January 5th – 10:30 am –Veterans’ Services with Carl Bradshaw by appointment only. Call 508-2788622 to sign up.

• Thursday, January 5th & 19th – 12:30 pm – “PopUp Library”. Books will be on display to check out, library card sign-ups, book hold pick-ups, etc. This program being offered by the Uxbridge Free Public Library.

• Friday, January 6th – 12:00 pm –Lunch & Learn with Chief Montminy. guest speaker will be Patty Berthiaume from Tri-Valley Elder Services and her topic will be Hoarding.

• Tuesday, January 10th – 1:00 pm –Uxbridge Library Book Club. They will be reading Still Life by Louise Penny. You are welcome to join us for lunch on this day.

• Tuesday, January 10th – 1:00 pm –Benefit Enrollment Specialist – Tri-

Valley, Inc. Call the senior center to book an appointment with Katelynn Wackell. next date will be Feb. 14th.

• Monday, January 16th – The Senior Center will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 17th. 'What are you doing for others? Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” Martin Luther King Jr.

• Monday, January 23rd - 1:30 pm –“Ask the Attorney” with Attorney Ralph Tepper by appointment only. Please Call 508-278-8622 to schedule your appointment at the Uxbridge Senior center.

• Tuesday, January 24th - 11:00 am –12:00 pm – Ask the nurse Free Blood Pressure Clinic with nancy Favulli, Salmon Health VnA. RSVP to participate and to join us for lunch. Card game played on Monday and BIngO on Wednesday during our congregate lunches.

CLASSES / TRIPS:

Computer Class Tutoring every Monday @ 3:00 pm by appointment only.  Please call ahead to sign up.  no classes on January 2nd & 16th. hannaford Grocery Shopping every Tuesday. Pick up begins at 8:30 am. Please sign up in advance by calling us at 508-278-8622 to reserve your seat on the van.

Knitting Club every Tuesday @ 1:30 pm – Come join the fun!

Bus Rides

1st and 3rd Wednesdays – January 4th & 18th – Bank & Pharmacy Rides. Please call at least 24 hours in advance.

Games

Every Wednesday - “Canasta” Hand, Knee & Foot Card game – 1:00 pm –3:30 pm.

Shopping Rides

2nd & 4th Thursdays – January 12th & 26th – 8:30 am - Shaws/Ocean State Shopping Rides. Please call at least 24 hours in advance.

Medical Appts.

Medical Transportation is accepting appointments. Call 508-278-8622 to schedule your rides.

The senior center is in need of the following donations: newly packaged napkins, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, ground regular & decaf coffee. We thank you for your support!

Feel free to contact us at 508-2788622 or visit us at 36 South Main Street or onlin at: Uxbridge-ma.gov/coa or like us on our FB page or by googling Uxbridge Senior Center and our new YouTube Channel or even dropping by. https://www.Facebook.com/Uxbridge MASeniorCenter or https://www.you tube.com/channel/UCnh_RIq99rucmF H-UO7VFBw or https://www.uxbridge tv.org/schedule/192

Adams Scholars announced at BVT

Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School has announced the Class of 2023 John and Abigail Adams four-year scholarship recipients.

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition credit for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. Eligibility to earn a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is based on students' first-time scores on high school MCAS tests. The scholarship only covers tuition and must be used within six years of a student's graduation.

The following students have earned a John & Abigail Adams Scholarship (listed alphabetically by town):

DoUGLAS

griffin Beaulieu, Advanced Manufacturing & Fabrication; Brady Courtemanche, Drafting & Design Technology; Kyle Forget, Engineering & Robotics; Kenneth Horne, Drafting & Design Technology; Megan Roe, Multimedia Communications; Brett Staples, Electronics & Engineering Technology; and Julia White, Cosmetology.

hoPeDALe

Kaden Crawford, Information Technology; Hayle Ortla, Health Services; Jay Patel, Information Technology; Edward Podlejski, Information Technology; and Jackson Staheli, Electronics & Engineering Technology.

MeNDoN

Amanda Pajak, Multimedia Communications; naomi Tsuda, Culinary Arts; and natalia Vazquez, Engineering & Robotics.

MILLVILLe

Benjamin Craven, Plumbing; and Joshua Platt, Information Technology.

NoRThBRIDGe

Vanessa Calles, Drafting & Design Technology; Paige Chausse, Dental Assisting; Jackson Doan, Drafting & Design Technology; Jenna Dolber, Multimedia Communications; Riley Driver, Electrical; Sam grilli, Drafting & Design Technology; Joseph Hutchinson, Drafting & Design Technology; Carleigh Koopman, Dental Assisting; noah Malkasian, Electronics & Engineering Technology; Ethan Ross, Culinary Arts; nicholas Vaughan, Electronics & Engineering Technology; and Emily Wildfeuer, Drafting & Design Technology.

SUTToN

Scott glode, Electrical; Samuel Judson, Drafting & Design Technology; Haley Kirouac, Engineering & Robotics; Adrian Lowell, Information Technology; Aidan Mcgrail, Electronics & Engineering Technology; and Colin Medeiros, Electronics & Engineering Technology.

UxBRIDGe

Katelin Carlson, Health Services; William Crosby, Painting & Design Technology; Isabella gannon, Advanced Manufacturing & Fabrication; Riley goyette, Engineering & Robotics; Maxwell guyton, Engineering & Robotics; Kioni Sankofa, Painting & Design Technology; and Sarah Snyder, Painting & Design Technology.

ABOUT BLACKSTOnE VALLEY REgIOnAL VOCATIOnAL

TECHnICAL HIgH SCHOOL: Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, BVT creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.

Members of the Class of 2023 that have earned John and Abigail Adams Scholarships

Honor Roll Students announced at local Private & Public Schools

douglas High School

HIgHEST HOnORS

Adriana Acosta, Sebastian Acosta, Emerson Adams, Logan Beauchemin, Adeline Cherrier, nathan Chesley, Ray Clontz, Mia Darling, nadia Dziobak, Julianne Forget, Allison gordon, Madelyn gosselin, Riley Hall, William Higgins, Angelina Jenks, Emma Kagels, Sarah Lemire, Branden Mills, Sadie O’Toole, Thomas Oum, Emily Pacheco, Megan Prue, Charles Ramsdell, Emily Ramsdell, Aiden Vassar

HIgH HOnORS

Liem Dauplaise, Alexander Enos, Ella greenough, Madelyn greenough, Zoe greenough, Makenzie Jones, Rileigh McEttrick, Trinity Pare, Marcel Podstawka, Krista Rice, Anthony Smith, William Sobolewski, neo Telles

HOnORS

Chiara Bingham, Mackenna Chiasson, Zachary Chiasson, Mia Colucci, Camryn Forbes, Bradley Saunders, Jacob True Grade 10

HIgHEST HOnORS

Fani Angelidaki, David Berchem, Maegan Bradley, Shaan Chaudhary, Aiden Connell, Skyler Criasia, Olivia DeFalco, Lillian george, Vixx greenough, Ryleigh Kenney, Travis King, Rebecca Leary, Charlotte Loy, Leilanee Martinez Paulino, Elyse McCarthy, Kyla nadeau, Brady Olson, Erin Picanso, Jessica Rose, Joshua Roulier, Zachary Sargent, Stone Slowik, gianna Smith, Joranni Souphida, Tayla Sullivan, Jacob Wasson

HIgH HOnORS

Julia Argall, Cassandra Criasia, Jianallys Cruz, nickolas Dion, Logan Englund, Zoe Lemire, Madison McDermott, Riley Smith, Antoinette Stewart-gingras HOnORS

Adrian Harper, Joshua Ruiz, Kylie Squier, Kaitlin Sullivan, Lucas Teixeira Grade 11

HIgHEST HOnORS

Ashley Arnold, Meghan Ashmore, Amanda Audette, Cameron Beckwith, Darius Buivydas, Linas Buivydas, Christopher Dame, gavin Delgado, Olivia DeLuca, Matthew Doyle, Adam Dunphy, Kaytlin Forget, Taylin Fragala, noah gaskill, Hadley gavan, Isaac gosselin, Owen gray, gavin gualtieri, Emilee Hamelin, Andrew Hogan, William Hogan, Colton Howard, Jaxon Kaczor, Yeseong Lee, Samantha Loy, Taylor Lundquist, Louis Makela, Zechariah March, Chloe McDonald, Julia Oskirko, Erika Our, Haileigh Recore, gabrielle Rivard, Dominic Rossi, Colin Squier, Molly Stinchfield, Ethan Vassar, Alexander Wheeler, Evan Wheeler, Cecelia White HIgH HOnORS

Rylee Bennett, Connor Brunetti, Ava Lemire, Colin Loehr, William Peterson, Alana Pierpont, nathan Smith, Emily Torres Flores

HOnORS: Charis Bell Grade 12

HIgHEST HOnORS

Chloe-Jo Bassim, griffin Berard, Ryan Bonin, Ciara Brule, Essined Colon, Renee Dansereau, Felipe DeOliveira Sena, Shaylyn Emanuel, Jenna Fon-taine, Josie Fontaine, Elise Forget, ne’Kayla gilbert, nicole guthenberg

Therese Hennedy, Luke Lightbown, Salome Lopez Caicedo, Samuel Lyford, Antonio Macgregor, Mia Mahan, Veronica Martinez Paulino, Madison Mooney, Celina Moore, Meghan Moulder, Michael

O’Toole, Izabella Oum, Hannah Purvis, Caroline Ramsdell, Ariana Sacco, Lea Smith, Connor Stickney, Jaeley Sughrue, Brianna Taylor, Matthew Trychon, Luke Walcek, Kate Wall, Lily Zygmuntowicz HIgH HOnORS

Jack george, Mehgan Such, Benjamin Walsh

HOnORS

Samuel Carter, Lauren Espanet, Matthew Sullivan

our Lady of the valley Regional

high honors gRADE 8

Allison Horrigan, natalie Johnson, Sylvia Lemire, Diana Pacheco, Abigail Siciliano gRADE 7

Savannah Hendricks, Isabella Kay, Julianna Kay, Isabella Lima, Cormac O’neil, Katelyn Siciliano gRADE 6

Mikayla Elhosri, Dylan gallagher, Reese Hendricks, Luke Hutchinson, Laura Jordao, gavin Pintarich, Thomas Rosborough gRADE 5

Kathryn Britt, nolan Calnan, Allison Creighton, Zephaniah Fritz, Emelia Tibbo, nathan Weed, Emma Wickstrom gRADE 4

Angelina Lucchetti, Joseph Podles honors gRADE 8

nicholas gebarowski, Troy Hafers, Elena Pacheco, nolan Pinchuck, Emmanuel Ramla, Cameron Vaidya, Jacob Vaidya gRADE 7

Julia Colonero, Rebecca Daly, Addisyn McCrohan, Ishani Patel, Allie Patnode, Anna Pena, Sarah Pomeroy, Lile Twohig, Lillian Wickstrom gRADE 6

Isabella Bardon, Zachary Hafers, Madeline Hurley, Emily Johnson, Brynn Kent, Teddy Pino, Allison Seitz, Eleanor Susienka gRADE 5

Matthew Auger, Anthony Baldwin, Charlee Bellefeuille, Cameron Berger, gavin Chapman, Peter Colonero, Andrew gebarowski, William Horrigan, Aimee Talbot, Molly Till gRADE 4

Jacob Carter, Abigail Cook, Catalina goncalves, Caelyn Kent, Sophia Pica, graeme Pintarich

Whitin intermediate

Grade 6

HIgH HOnORS

Amelia Belanger, Michael Caffrey, Julianna Casper, Emily Charbonnier, gavin Dwyer, Calum Fortin, Samantha gaulitz, Shane Hamm, Taylor Jansen, William Khondker, Joseph King, Mackenzie Matthews, Adriana O’Connor, Cole Pezzullo, Caroline Roxo, Isabel Roxo, Shea Stone, grayden Tierney, Kamiela Torku HOnORS

Kylie Alicea, Oscar Berard, Brody Berset, Alice Black, Patrick Brauninger, Michael Brosnahan, Haley Brown Huth, Madeleine Buckley, Thomas Charron, Mackenzie

Coleman, Hope Donnelly, Miguel Freire, Max gaudet, Alana Haggas, Cameron Hendricks, Bryce Hewett, Kedar Julien, Cameron Kauzens, Kamryn Lachapelle, Ryan Lavergne, Corey Levesque, nathan Loveless, James Lubas, Mia Manning, nelyra Marquez-Zirkle, Enzo Mello Santos, Camron Mills, Maison natola, Evelyn Palumbo, gia Polselli, Karina Remillard, greyson Rollins, Cheyenne Ross, Jake Scott, Max Soares, Skyla Sokol, gabrielle Stanley, Brady Waugh, Lucas Wills, Willie Wilson Grade 7

HIgH HOnORS

Evan Bourgeois, Elyse Bousquet, Matteo Casasanta, Jacob Dzivasen, Logan Fleming, Paige Foley, Casey griffiths, Everett Hazel, Benjamin Johnson, Madyn Lame, Clayton Maracle, Carly McKay, Zooey Pominville, Olivia Rivet, James Sadd, Abigail Spiecker, Hope Tibedo, Avery Wood, David Zaitoun

HOnORS

nina Bandstra, Cooper Bartlett, Alijah Belle, Sophia Bombard, Emily Cabral, Ecstacy Calderon, Jaidyn DeLuca, Tucker Denietolis, Lily Derouen, Ryan E. Fitzgerald, Margaret Fox, Violet Fratus, Emily geshelin, Elliot gnatek, Liam gover, Lola Hawkins, Wyatt KendallWatson, Ashton Khondker, Jessica Labonte, Bronwyn LaChapelle, Matthew Lambert, Abigayle Livingstone, Ryder Lovell, Olivia Mazzola, Cooper McCuin, nathan najarro Rivera, Thomas newhall, nadia nolan, Elijah norman, Hayden O’Toole, Shea Paxton, Jack Posterro, Kyle Reardon, Emmett Sharr, Mason Soucy, Adeline Tartakoff

Uxbridge High School

Grade 8

HIgH HOnORS

Ammar Alomar, Lilliana Ambrosino, Bradley Anderson, Iain Andrews, Connor Antobenedetto, nicholas Arruda, Clarah Avery-Boyer, Ava Bazinet, Aubrey Beland, gabriela Belanger, Ava Cahill, Hadassah Calixto, Madison Cammuso, Susana Casper, Alex Channing, Isabela Chapman, Dolan Comforti, Ashton David, Foao de Souza-Rodrigues, Parker Dery, Miranda ElTurkamani, Ava Fenner, Daniel Ferreira, Alyssa Friis, Savhannah gassett, nathan goryl, Cameron gray, Brian guertin, Mallorie Hallfelder, Jordan Hilgenberg, William Hinchcliffe, Elaina Horgan, Samantha Huth, Brooklyn Kaferlein, Emrie Dling, Madison Labonte, Julie Lafontaine, Joshua Lavergne, Charlotte Lewis, Sydney Loiselle, Mary Lowrey, Dominic Mastroianni, Braelyn Matheson, Kaia Mollica, Adam Morrissette, Benjamin O’neill, Mia Owellette, Zackary Pelletier, Emma Peloquin, Lauren Pitner, nicholis Polselli, Hannah Samolinski, Rachel Scott, Chawanvi Sillapachairuang, Maddilyn Silva, Caroline Simonds, Lelia Sjogren, Sarah Stark, William Stark, gabriel Stone, Kai Torku, Kumani Torku, Erik Ward, Samuel Weeks, Addison Whitney, Phoenix Zereski HOnORS

Aaron Alves-Thomas, Addie Blood, Aubrey Bouchard, Stephen Bouvier, Blake Burr, Aiden Costigan, Skylar Daniels, Dylan Demers, Sofia Denietolis, Ethan DeVito, Abigail Donahue, Charley Dorr, george Eissa, Emma Frazier, Brianna Fuoss, Caleb gaulitz, Allie gauthier, Olivia gauthier, Lindsay genoa, nathan Harris, Ian Heim, Felix Harrera, Matthew Hicks, Brynn Hosley, Tyler Joyce, Mathias

Lalakidis, Ella-Mae Libby, Megan Matte, nathan Oliveira, Blake Oliver, Vibhav Patel, Caiden Pellegrino, Samuel Plumer, Aidan Power, Katherine Pratt, Frederick Romano, Charlie Roy, noah Samolinski, Kole Silvestro, Annabel Smutok, Lukas Tierney, Zachary Veneziano, Aryannah Vespa, Madison Webber, Benjamin Yoffe HOnORABLE MEnTIOn

Connor Brooks, Joseph Cascella, gabriel gomes, Yasmin Higa, Lucas Jastremski, Amir Julien, Maxwell Kammerer, grace Kibe, Logan Lalakidis, Eliasa Roy, Benjamin Russin Jr., gavin ScardinoPoillucci, Kaleb Wallace, Drew Wilson Grade 9

HIgH HOnORS

Alexander Aldrich, Aidan Arsenault, Ella Bain, novelle Bousquet, Boyalla, gaurav, Sebastian Bradwin, Lauren Cabral, Morgan Charbonnier, Kason Chludenski, Logen Erickson, Brady Esposito, Alison Fleming, Zachary Fortier, Sophia Freire, Kendall gilmore, Lola grube, Mazen Hamza, Ethan LaChapelle, Julianna Lopes, Daniel Mach, Brayden Mackin, niamh McSweeney, Erin O’Day, Julia Okenquist, Keira Paul, Jake Richardson, Jacob Rivet, Erin Roche, McKenna Savage, Brian Stumpf, Andrew Tamsky, Eabha Twohig-Mann, grady Walsh, Austin Walusiak

HOnORS:

Alexander Aldrich, Camden Bartlett, Taylor Bettencourt, Amelia Blood, Kaleb Chabot, Tyler Constantineau, Macy Cullen, Breanna Donahue, Hunter Douangsavanh, Samuel Dow, Colin Dwyer, Logen Erickson, Isabella Field, William Fisher, nicholas Fortier, Zachary Fortier, Sophia Freire, Danika grabowski, Camden LaChapelle, Jeffrey Laflamme, Lily LaLiberte, Mateo Lame, Cameron McIsaac, Wilson Obiocha, Joshua Paulino, Daniel Pimentel, Liam Powers, Alex Rivera, Thayla Santos, Autumn Smith, Brian Stumpf, Zachary Tilton, Zachary Turcotte, Cody Veneziano, Austin Walusiak

HOnORABLE MEnTIOn Angelica Afonso, Jeremy Barry, Camden Bartlett, Taylor Bettencourt, Malaika Cabrera, Vanessa Chavez, Finnegan Cove, Heidi Doyon, Jacob Ethier, Joshua Fontes, Tyler Kavanaugh, Camden LaChapelle, Drish Patel, Matthew Perron, Mylie Prachith, Emmalyn Romano, Jullian Rosenburge, Jonathan Sene, Hunter Sheard, Thatcher Sweeney Grade 10

HIgH HOnORS: Ali Alomar, Maria Aprili, Elyse Bouchard, Victoriana Chapman, Sydney Daniels, Maxwell Deary, Rogan Devlin, Timothy Devlin, Bailey Dzivasen, Evelyn Ferreira, Ewan Fortin, Katharine Fox, Lillyanna gallant, Alicia gauvin, Shane gilmore, Addison griffiths, Alyson Haley, Matthew Hinchcliffe, Joshua Johnson, Thatcher Kling, Sumeyye Koyuncu, Milla Mace, Macen Martone, Aidan nolan, Darren Oliver, Danielle Olson, natalie Orr, Olivia Pirrotta, Maxwell Roy, Stella Roy, Alanna Russell, Bruno Sampaio, James Sanford, Hunter Schiller, Dominic Silva, Michael Stark, Landon Sweet, Julia Wilczewska, Denning Yoffe HOnORS

Joshua Alt, Hope Beroth, Joao Fernando De Oliveira, Dominick genoa, Shane guillette, Amelia Hay, Chase Henault, Liam Kaferlein, Shawn Lemovitz, Hunter Levesque, Awwab Mohamed, Abigaile Oliveira, Brianna Pare, Diya Patel, Lily Ramage, Marrodox Sisowath, Rylee Spear,

Colin Spencer, Jack Sullivan, Jamal Uddin, Ashton Watt

HOnORABLE MEnTIOn:

Joseph Baldwin, Catherine Buma, Camden Chludenski, Charles Criscola, Jenna Devine, Hannah DiMeco, Jillian Dimo, Justin ElTurkmani, Hunter Fontaine, Yasmine graveson, Max Meagher, Madison Silbor, Caroline Usenia, Cassady Westcott Grade 11

HIgH HOnORS

Rylie Beland, James Bernard, Aidan Blood, Benjamin Bourgeois, Kathryn Cahill, Braden Cammuso, Cameron Caso, Brynn Doherty, Syrianna Dousangsavanh, Jack Emmons, Luke Esposito, Madison Fairweather, Andrew Flynn, Carter gilmore, Olivia gray, Oliva Holden, Catherine Hughes, Hailey Kinyanjui, Kellen Lachapelle, grace Linsley, Jessica Lutton, Aiden Marquez-LeRoy, Sara Morton, Brianna Moss, gage nichols, Sean O’Day, Ella Pezzullo, Phetmany Phianesin, Phoenix Cooper, Avari Powers, Benjamin Roerden, Payson Roy, Lincoln Schiller, Siobhan Twohig-Mann, Emma Walker, Zoe Wojnowski, Elizabeth Yarger

HOnORS:

Mason Baptista, Tyler Bergman, Dylan Bibeault, Parin Boyalla, Ashley Brodeur, Emma Demers, Matthew DiLibero, nathan Fuoss, Kevin graveson, Brianna Hughes,Tessa Johnston, Samantha Jones, Kahlea Lachapelle, Cassidy Leach, Kamryn Leroy, Elizabeth Lewis, Jackson Livingstone, Luke McCuin, Samuel noel, Liam Rigney, Lukas Ritacco, Christopher Szajna, Ellie Thompson

HOnORABLE MEnTIOn

Alanah Allard, Rosario Astorga, Thomas Costa, Jalyn gingras, Maximus Libby, Iris Marcello, Sophia Mone, nathan noyes, Shane Okenquist, Frank Osimo, Mikayla Ouellette, Joseph Romasco, Bradley Sadd, Mason Sanford, Sebastian Soares, Maria Sobrinho, Matthew Thayer, Samuel True, Cheyanne Uvezian, Brayden Wilcox, Victoria Williams-Huth Grade 12

HIgH HOnORS

Maren Anderson, Luke Boisvert, Lily Brayman, Kamryn Brodeur, Kelsey Brooks, Victor Cardoso-Collins, Julie Compston, Sophie Compston, Sean Costa, Joshua Cristina, Myah DeLang, Jessie DeMalia, Logan Donnelly, Jason Fontes , Carl nathan gallawan, Drew gniadek, Evan grube, Avery guillette, Briana Hawes, Samantha Hinchcliffe, Paige Irving, Tia Jacobs, Sameer Khan, Eleanor Kimball, Christopher Lincoln, Lex Lovell, Alan Mages, Timothy Makynen, Patrick McDonnell, Isabella nolan, Matthew O’neill, grace Orr, Morgan Ouellette, Alexandria Patterson, Kylie Paul, Julia Philbrook, Audrey Phillips, Olivia Phillips, Casey Prior, Chris Reid, Tyler Richardson, Theodore Rigney, Makayla Ross, Aidan Russell, Abigail Sanches, Sadie Schultzberg, Meghan Smith, Troy Spencer, Jack Tasick, Sabrina Tibedo, Madison Tousignant, Lindsay Vario, Braeden Watt, Megan Wingfield

HOnORS:

Bruce Alberto, Samara Barry, Emma Brothers, Katie Cullen, Dylan Donahue, Sophie Ellenberger, Tyler Erickson, Tanner gauthier, Ryan Labonte, Trevor Masnyk, Edson Mendes, Zachary Oliveira, Laela Pendleton, Coral Young

HOnORABLE MEnTIOn

nathan Cole, Samwail girgis, Chloe guertin, Colleen Kenny, Kate Matthews, Tyler McIsaac, Isabella Ristaino

business review

Hospital also receives highest grade for patient safety

Milford Regional Medical Center was recently recognized as a 2022 top teaching hospital in the nation by the Leapfrog group, an independent national watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety for patients. Milford Regional also received a grade “A” in patient safety from Leapfrog for the ninth consecutive time.

TOP TEACHIng HOSPITAL DISTInCTIOn Milford is one of only two hospitals in Massachusetts, five in new England and 58 across the country to receive Leapfrog’s Top Teaching Hospital honor. Milford Regional serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester. Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, two hospitals in Maine and Hartford Hospital in

Connecticut were among the others honored in new England.

To qualify for a top distinction from Leapfrog, hospitals must rank highest among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses the quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance including infection rates, practices for safe surgery, maternity care and preventing medication errors.

“Milford Regional Medical Center is proud to be recognized as one of the top teaching hospitals in the country and the region,” said Milford Regional President and CEO Edward J. Kelly. “Our team at Milford Regional takes great pride in maintaining the highest standards of care as we care for our community and have a hand in training current and future generations of medical professionals.”

LEAPFROg AWARDS MILFORD REgIOnAL WITH gRADE “A” FOR PATIEnT SAFETY Milford Regional also received an “A” in the fall

2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety grade; a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from accidents, injuries, errors, and infections. This is the ninth consecutive “A” Milford Regional has received from Leapfrog. The Leapfrog group’s patient safety grading comes out twice annually.

“This distinction is a testament to the diligence of our clinicians and staff who ensure safety as a top priority at Milford Regional,” said Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Bert ThurloWalsh.

The Leapfrog grade uses up to 22 evidencebased measures of patient safety, including ICU physician staffing, nurse communication, doctor communication, staff responsiveness and discharge information. Leapfrog calculated a numer-

ical score for all eligible hospitals in the county.

The numerical score was then converted into one of five letter grades, with “A” representing the best grade followed by “B,” “C,” “D,” and “F.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety grade is the only hospital rating focused exclusively on hospital safety

Milford Regional Medical Center is a full-service, community and regional teaching hospital located in Milford, Mass. and serves patients from more than 20 towns in Central Massachusetts. The 149-bed medical center is a nonprofit, acute-care facility, where more than 300 primary care and specialty physicians are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community with dignity, compassion and respect.

State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) and State Representative David Muradian (R-grafton) announced a $25,000 grant for the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development. The grant was administered through the Executive Office of Workforce Development (EOLWD) through the Apprenticeship Expansion, Construction Diversity, and Innovation Fund. The grant will train five apprentices through the Hub. The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development has a placement commitment from Primetals Technologies in Sutton, and will be working with Lampin Corporation to place employees through this program as well. As part of EOLWD, the Division of Apprentice Standards administers this initiative to expand Registered Apprenticeship to priority industries, to diversify the existing apprenticeship workforce, and to enhance apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts as part of the Commonwealth’s Apprenticeship Expansion Plan.

Applications to this fund are accepted and reviewed at least bi-annually. EOLWD has awarded $2.7 million thus far in FY22 to 19 organizations throughout the Commonwealth. “The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is a champion of growing and teaching the workforce of the Blackstone Valley,” said Senator Fattman. “They have worked hard to receive this competitive grant, and I know the funds will be used to have a tremendous impact on our region.”

“The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is a vital organization that continues to make strives throughout the Commonwealth, especially within the Blackstone Valley corridor,” stated Representative Muradian. “I was so excited to hear that the Hub was selected as a grant recipient, and I look forward to seeing the amazing work these five future apprentices learn!” “The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is very pleased to continue our close collaboration with the Executive Office for Workforce Development to provide

apprenticeship programs that meet the need for upskilling employees at local manufacturers to ensure their competitiveness,” said Bob Evans, Operations Director for the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development. Jared Wheelock, Manufacturing Technology Manager for Primetals Technologies said, “Manufacturing entities around the world are facing an employee skills gap, and here in Sutton Ma, Primetals Technologies is no different. We lean heavily on apprenticeship programs offered at the Blackstone Valley Hub to build up the workforce skills necessary to operate a top tier manufacturing facility here in central MA.”

Twice Blessed New Year Sales

Catholic Community of Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale announces their new Year Specials: Athletic Wear, Sweaters and Winter Accessories: mitts, gloves & scarves. Other In-Store Specials Include*: $2 Racks, And More… *Except Special Priced Items. Store Hours: Saturday, January 7th 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (First Saturday each month, except when there is a holiday). “Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are directly impacted by Covid-19.” Phone (508) 473-1900 or visit our website; sacredhearthopedale.org. Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/twiceblessedthriftshophopedale/.

Beginning Bridges posts January events

Beginning Bridges CFCE ‘s vision is that children, youth, and families reach their full potential now and in the future. Our 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 Massachusetts Dept. of Early Education and Care (EEC) and sponsored by South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC-Childcare/Head Start). Beginning Bridges CFCE has funding for the towns of Mendon, northbridge, Upton & Uxbridge. Currently, our FREE comprehensive services include weekly indoor parent/child playgroups. We also offer parent education programs, the Ages & Stages Developmental Questionnaire and can connect families to community 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. Playgroup winter 2023 registration form will be open until 10 am on 1/9/23.

Mondays to Fridays, Parent Child Playgroups, 9:00 to 10:45am, at the Uxbridge Playcenter, 9 north Main Street, Uxbridge, MA, lower left office.

Wednesday, 01/04/23, 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.

Tuesday, 01/10/23, Music and Movement with Deb Hudgins, 10:30 to 11:00am at Upton Town Library. Check Library website for location and registration information.

Wednesday, 01/18/23, Music and Movement with Deb Hudgins, 10:30 to 11:00am at Whitinsville Social Library. Check Library website for registration information.

Thursdays, 1/12 – 3/16/23, Elephant, Piggy & Friends, 9:00 to 10:30am, at Taft Public Library, 29 north Ave in Mendon, join us in playful exploration of sensory driven activities, art, and early literature favorites. Registration is on the Taft Public Library Website.

Wednesday, 1/18/23, Story Walk – Birds, start times 10:30 am or 11:00 am, at West Hill Dam, 518 E. Hartford Ave., Uxbridge. (Rain date – Wednesday, 1/25). Enjoy the benefits of exploring outdoors while experiencing a classic children’s book.

Thursdays, 1/19 – 02/16/23, Lap Babies, 10:15 to 11:45 am, at the Uxbridge Playcenter, 9 north Main Street, Uxbridge, MA, lower left office. This is a time for caregivers and 0 to 12-months babies to circle up and enjoy singing, finger plays, tummy time and reading.

Thursday, 01/19/23, Parent Education Workshop with Jill Vetstein, Parental Stress: Causes and Cures. 7:00 to 8:30 pm – zoom link to be e-mailed after registration. Please see website for more information.

Thursdays, 1/26 – 3/16/23, Makerspace, 12:30 – 2:00 pm, at the Uxbridge Playcenter, 9 north Main Street, Uxbridge, MA, lower left office. For children 2.9 to 5 years. This playgroup invites children to embrace their curiosities through exploring and experimenting.

Tuesday, 2/21/23, Story Walk – Tracks in the Snow, start times 10:30am or 11:00 am, at West Hill Dam, 518 E. Hartford Ave., Uxbridge. Enjoy the benefits of exploring outdoors while experiencing a classic children’s book. Find them on Facebook: Beginning Bridges CFCE or email: Emurray@smoc.org – 508-278-5110

Tim Jones is a self-syndicated Comic Strip Artist, and a member of the National Cartoonist Society.

Have a Happy & Healthy New Year!