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Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoLuMe 26 • iSSue 1
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Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
JanuaRY 2017
Remillard not ready for retirement after 47 years Story & Photo by Constance Reddy Dwyer
ences from Our Lady of the Elms College and a Master’s in Education from Worcester State, with 42 credits When you’ve made lesson plans for beyond the Master’s degree. 47 years, as Joan Remillard of The native of Uxbridge kept referring Uxbridge has, you just can’t close the to “Children come first” books and never return back which was the philosophy of to school at Whitin Elementhe first Principal at Taft tary. Remillard is now a subElementary School and is stitute teacher and enjoys the elated to share that this is the company of her many same philosophy of the cur“teacher friends” at the rent school principal there school. There was only one today, Lori Fafard. interruption in her teaching Asked if discipline was career of 47 years when she ever a problem. she quickly stayed home for 10 years to responded with, “Never a raise her 5 children. problem, since the children When posed the question Joan Remillard knew just by my look they on what drew her to become were expected to behave. I liked being a teacher, she has one of the most fasciwith children and that’s what kept me nating stories to tell: “I always wanted going so long.” She added, “As a to be a teacher. When I was 6 years old, teacher you have to determine each I’d go to the basement and set up my child’s needs. Now I am subbing and class. I used the oil tank as my blacktutoring at Whitin in third, fourth and board and my children were the acorns fifth grades. In my years, I especially I picked up. The boys had caps and the enjoyed working with the children who girls had no caps. I taught my classes are nudgy and impish.” until about 4th grade and I guess you’d Besides her subbing, Joan keeps busy say I started teaching young.” with St. Vincent de Paul at her parish, She also was inspired by the teachers St. Mary’s in Uxbridge; she has been a in her family, having her aunt and parishioner there since she was a child. cousins as teachers, and she says, “I She and her family are a part of a new was destined to be a teacher.” No tradition which started last year and doubt her children became as inspired was held again this year in the parish as she and three of the five became hall. It is Christmas Dinner; both she teachers: Karen teaches 6th grade at and her late husband often thought of Milford Catholic where her sister Joann those who would be alone on Christmas teaches Kindergarten and Suzann Day while they sat with their family. teaches 8th grade at McCloskey Middle So, they decided to work on Christmas School ( the former Uxbridge High). Day, bringing those alone cheer and a The ebullient teacher was very happy to Christmas Dinner. Joan feels privileged add that her granddaughter, Nicole to be a member of St. Vincent de Paul Legere, is also a teacher. Her son Society that is designed to help those in Steven is an industrial engineer and her need. The group may deliver food basolder son, Kevin, is a molecular biolokets from the Uxbridge Food Pantry, gist. This past year in April, Joan had getting fuel delivered to cold homes or the sudden tragic loss of her loving husdoing just what is needed to help famiband, Lanny, and she appreciated so lies through a difficult time. She also much the support she received from the serves as an acolyte and a Eucharistic entire Whitin School community. Minister. Joan has a Bachelor of Arts in the sci-
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Paint YouR town ConteSt winneRS: (back row - left to right) Michelle Siefken, owner, art...Make it Real; amruta Peri -1st Place (age 13-17); aidan Grinnell - 2nd Place (age 1317); ashley Labbe - 3rd Place (age 13-17); alan Melidossian, VP Marketing Manager, Savers Bank; (middle row) natalie Lamberton - 3rd Place (age 6-8); anastasia Girgis - 2nd Place (age 9-12); Karma Bebawy - 3rd Place (age 9-12); Maria Girgis - 1st Place (age 9-12); (front row) Grace Sabo - 2nd Place (age 6-8) and Brooke Shumate - 1st Place (age 6-8).
Local young artists receive awards The Whitinsville Art Studio, Art... Make It Real, and Savers Bank in Uxbridge announce the winners of the 3rd annual "Paint Your Town" art contest. Young artists from across Southern New England were encouraged to choose a favorite location in a local town and bring it to life on canvas with watercolor, acrylics, or oils. "The submitted art was so diverse from 13 surrounding communities and included beautiful portrayals of libraries, downtowns, business landmarks, and natural landscapes," said Art...Make It Real founder Michelle Siefken. "It was
exciting to give young artists this opportunity to explore their communities and paint their favorite places." Young artists were grouped in three age categories and were awarded $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. In the 6-8 year old category, Brooke Shumate from Whitinsville, first place; Grace Sabo from Mendon, second place; Natalie Lamberton from Sterling, third place. In the 9-12 year old category, Maria Girgis from Sutton, first place; Anastasia Girgis from Sutton, second place; Karma Bebawy from Sutton,
BUSiNeSS Bio:
Katalina’s Boutique owner of Katalina’s Boutique in Northbridge, Kathleen “Kathy” Tonry (at left), welcomes shoppers looking for that perfect gift. or maybe something special just for you? See story on page 27
third place. In the 13-17 year old category, Amruta Peri from S. Grafton, first place; Aidan Grinnell from Uxbridge, second place; Ashley Labbe from Uxbridge, third place. Participants, their families, and friends were invited to a special reception at Savers Bank in Uxbridge where all submitted art was displayed. For more pictures of submitted art and video from the reception: www.artmakeitreal.com.
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~ INDEX ~ town news ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 17 Senior Corner ..........Page 19 Society .....................Page 23 School news............Page 25 Business news........Page 27 Sports.......................Page 29 Classifieds……..……Page 31