~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 1
A FREE Monthly Publication
Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
Anonymous donation helps Sutton Pantry grow
Uxbridge Police Dept. receives safety award
By Constance Dwyer “It’s been my dream for six years, since I was hired, to have a new addition for the Food Pantry, with a separate entrance, and how happy I am to see this dream come true,” said Michelle Edelstein, Executive Director of the Sutton Senior Center and Food Pantry. The 400 square-foot, 20’ x 20’ addition to the Senior Center was built by Sutton builder Larry Hope of Larry Hope Custom Construction. To keep his costs as low as possible as a contractor, he found an electrician, plumber, HVAC and dry wall professionals to do the work at very reasonable rates. Larry thought of many details, right down to advising Michelle to have open shelves to display the food instead of closed closets. Michelle now finds this makes her work and those of the volunteers easier when packing food for those in need. “This building would never have been possible without Larry’s oversight and his walking that extra mile; for example, coming with me to go get blinds for the pantry!” Michelle shared a little of the history that commenced with the building of the Food Pantry this past summer. A former Sutton resident, who now lives in Florida, paid a visit to Michelle over the summer and she, in her usual upbeat manner, gave a tour and explained her hope to have a separate entrance. She also invited him to lunch. At that time, she had been able to raise just $5,000.00 over several months, a far cry from her goal of $80,000. The elderly gentleman was moved by Michelle’s demonstrated, heartfelt commitment to help the people in Sutton that may need assistance during difficult economic times. After his visit
POSTAL PATRON
JANUARY 2012
DYNAMIC DUO - Builder Larry Hope & Michelle Edelstein, Director of Sutton Senior Center/Food Pantry.≥ he decided to help Michelle with her dream by writing a check for $75,000; Sutton Selectmen, Mike Chizy, a Council on Aging member, and John Hebert, hand-delivered this anonymous, but welcomed gift. “I cried,” Michelle recalled in thinking back on that special, happy moment. The peppy and good-natured Executive Director was quick to also credit goretti’s Supermarket in Millbury for donating two carriages to help volunteers put together food packages, and to Koopman Lumber for “drastically reducing the price for the hardware.” Further, she couldn’t speak highly enough about the many volunteers who come to help on a daily basis. Michelle noted that it is now more comfortable for families to come to the Sutton Food Pantry at the Sutton Senior Center because they will now have privacy when seeking needed food because of financial difficulties. She PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAgE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
ECRWSS
was quick to add that, thanks to TriValley Inc., it is not just seniors who come for the $2.00 meals offered 5 days a week at the Senior Center. Rather, some of the people are young families who have a spouse who lost a job. Between 11-17 families are served weekly. For readers wishing to contribute non-perishable items to the Sutton Food Pantry (please check for expiration dates). Michelle outlined some of the most needed goods: canned meats, canned beef stew, canned baked beans and boxes of hot cereal. Monetary donations are also welcome, with checks written to Friends of Sutton Elders, Sutton Senior Center, 15 Hough Road, Sutton, MA 01590. If families are able to call before coming for food, it is helpful but not necessary. Anyone wishing to obtain more information can call Executive Director Michelle Edelstein at (508) 234-0703.
The Police Department received an from a large number of agencies to award last month from AAA for its past many locations. To assist dispatch durachievements in traffic Safety. Of spe- ing these times we request that unless cial note, Officer Brian MacDonald is there is need for a police, fire or EMS recognized by the Chief for leading the response to your location, that you call 1-800-322-3223 or 1-800 department in motor -465-1212. Massachuvehicle violation enforcement over the past fiscal “You may think setts Electric will then give you information relyear. Officer Josiah Moryou are exempt ative to the outage areas rissette is recognized for having the most arrests from the laws of and possible reactivation for operating under the the Common- times. Thanks to the Virginia influence of alcohol and Sgt. Timothy Burke is wealth but you Taft Memorial Fund and recognized for his hard are not exempt the wonderful support of Virginia Taft estate work in coordinating the from the laws of the executor the department “click it or ticket” grant was able to utilize some program for Uxbridge. physics!” monies from the fund to For those of you who do - MA Seatbelt Campaign help upgrade some very not use your seat belt much needed radio remember: “You may equipment and soon think you are exempt from the laws of the Commonwealth some 911 emergency medical dispatch but you are not exempt from the laws equipment. Please consider signing up for nixle of physics!” Once again this fiscal year Uxbridge at www.nixle.com. This is a free notifiwas awarded the “Click it or Ticket” cation program where you can receive enforcement grant. We were one of important information from the only two towns in the Blackstone Uxbridge Police by text and email. Also there is a portal on the Worcester Valley eligible for the awards this fiscal County Sheriff’s Department website year. Remember it is that time again to that will allow you to register your cell license your dog. This should be done phones for the area community notifiat the town clerk’s office on Main St. cation system. This sign up is voluntary late fees apply after March 31, 2012 so but it will allow you to get emergency notifications to your cell phone in the register your dogs and kennels early. In the event of power outages the event of area wide notifications. Many Police Dispatchers often handle an of you are already listed by home extreme number of calls, some of phone for these notifications. Adding which are real emergencies, and they your cell phone will help make sure often have to dispatch many vehicles you get the important messages.
Amnesty Month at library The Uxbridge Free Public Library declares January 2012 as Amnesty Month! Bring in one nonperishable item for the People First Food Bank and we'll waive one overdue fine. Bring in two, we'll waive two...you get
Business Bio:
VFW Post 1385 Manager, Ann Schavone, makes all who enter the VFW in Uxbridge feel at home. A place for friends to gather and families to celebrate, the hall is available for special occassions or group events. See story on page 33
the idea! Please be sure the expiration dates on donated items are still valid. Let's start the New Year right and help those in need. Please note: Amnesty does not apply to fees for lost or damaged items.
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