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Vol. 3 No. 7
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New Town Manager Looks Forward to Shaping Ashland’s Future
By Deborah Burke Henderson, Contributing Writer The Ashland Board of Selectmen (BOS) in mid-January hosted a meet-and-greet forum for residents to pose questions, share concerns and observe the candidate, assistant town manager Michael Herbert, in an open interview for the position of town manager. At the time of this writing, it is expected that the BOS will vote unanimously on Jan. 20 to appoint Herbert as Ashland’s new full-time manager, succeeding Anthony Schiavi who left in January to run for the Cape and Islands state senate seat. At the forum, Herbert said he is proud of his many accomplishments during his three-year tenure as Ashland’s assistant town manager and finance director, where he worked closely with the
former town manager. Herbert said he has a deep love for this community and is ex-
NEW TOWN MANAGER
continued on page 2
Postal Customer Local
February 2016
Override Study Committee Recommends a Tiered Approach
By Cynthia Whitty
A familiar face at town hall, former assistant town manager Michael Herbert is excited to be the new town manager and help shape Ashland’s future. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
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In a final report dated Jan. 1 (http://tinyurl.com/hfrsvla), the town’s Override Study Committee (OSC) presented its recommendations to Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director Michael Herbert. The report reviews Ashland’s financial picture over the next five years, describes its process for collecting public input last summer and fall, and recommends that a vote on a pyramid, or “tiered,” approach be placed on the regular town election ballot in mid-May. In an email to the school community on Jan. 16, Superintendent Jim Adams forwarded the OSC Report and Recommendation. Adams wrote that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) will decide on Jan. 20 whether to place an operational override on the spring ballot. Adams further wrote, “The
Override Study Committee, which was appointed by the BOS, has made our recommendation to give the citizens of Ashland a choice between two tiers. Tier 1, accounts for about $1.5 million dollars, and Tier 2, which accounts for $2.4 million dollars.” “The School Committee and Finance Committee have both voted in favor of the two tiers and now the Board of Selectmen will take up the recommendation this week. The BOS has a meeting on Tuesday, January 19th at 6pm in Town Hall, and then hopefully they will be taking a vote at their next meeting on Wednesday, January 20th.” In a phone interview, OSC chair Steve Mitchell was asked what residents could expect in the coming months, before the May 4
OVERRIDE
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NEW TOWN MANAGER continued from page 1
cited to undertake this new role.
Planning and Building Consensus “I’m a great proponent of goal setting, and my overarching priority is to help this town build consensus around a strategic roadmap for its future,” Herbert said. “We need to be thinking today about where we want Ashland to be in 2035 and then develop a comprehensive community plan on paper that will inform our course of action moving forward.” Herbert has an undergraduate degree in Community Planning and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston. After graduation, he worked full-time as a program manager at the university’s Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, which is dedicated to improving efficiency, effectiveness, governance and accountability at all levels of government, with a particular
Published Monthly Mailed FREE to the Community of Ashland Circulation: 7,000 households Publisher Chuck Tashjian Editor Cynthia Whitty Sales Susanne Odell Advertising Sales Manager Lori Koller Advertising Sales Assistant Kyle Koller Production & Layout Susan Dunne Michael McDaniel Michelle McSherry Dawna Shackley Advertising Department
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focus on state and local government. During this time, he also participated in the Lieutenant Governor’s Regionalization Advisory Commission and looked at regionalization and other efficiency measures. Herbert’s public service experience deepened while working for several local municipal governments. During his two and a half years working as the performance management analyst for the City of Lowell, Herbert was exposed to the areas of operations, finance and management and was their troubleshooter on budgetary issues. Later, he served as the director of performance management under Mayor Setti Warren in Newton. After moving to Framingham with his wife, Beth, and then three-year-old daughter, Herbert was hired as Ashland’s assistant town manager and finance director in 2013.
Accomplishments Since Herbert’s arrival at town hall as assistant manager, he has been driven by a commitment to community planning and development that would help put the town on solid financial footing. “Our financial accolades, however, are merely a means to an end. My focus on our short- and long-term financial stability over the last few years has been driven by a larger agenda to get us to a place where we can finally invest in our community and infrastructure.” Herbert’s work to date includes revising the budget process and putting new financial policies in place, securing funding from the government to cover a portion of Ashland’s operational needs, and addressing and evaluating long-term liabilities.
Unprecedented Investments “Through some creative budgeting, we were able to make unprecedented investments in the
town’s many departments,” Herbert remarked in an interview. These investments included increasing the school department budget in FY16 to the largest ever yearover-year budget; adding two new firefighters to the force; hiring an assistant town planner; and expanding the Library’s hours, which moved Ashland off the state waiver list, where it has been for the past seven years. Herbert and the former town manager focused on funding and executing post-employment benefits, such as retirement. Lowering health insurance coverage costs by moving to a different provider has recently reset the rates, and now the focus will be to take greater control in managing escalation of those rates. Town management has also taken advantage of new energy management systems and efficiencies, such as LED street lighting and new boilers in town hall. As this new growth has taken place over the past several years, the town grew its ‘rainy day’ stabilization fund, doubling it to almost 10 percent of Ashland’s budget. This is money the town can use, if needed, to help balance the operating budget. FY16 was the first year the town did not need to tap the rainy day account. Herbert said, “In my role as the town’s finance director, I hope that I built up trust so that when community members think about budgeting and the budget process, they feel confident we are using funds as efficiently as possible. Saving money by moving to the Group Insurance Commission health insurance plan and through our energy efficiency programs are steps towards reaching our common goal of long-term financial stability.” Some foundation work on key priorities is already in place. The Route 126 development
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project is underway and there is a focus on the downtown area –with an eye toward infrastructure and p ro g r a m m i n g, beginning with successful farmers’ market events. Herbert noted that the transportation improvement program is already in a very different place than it was two years ago, with the development of roadways, sidewalks and multi-modal pathways. Several large-scale solar projects are planned for this year. New to Herbert’s team is economic development director, Beth Reynolds, who will help build and strengthen community partnerships. The work that Herbert has done as assistant town manager has laid the groundwork for townspeople to start thinking: “What else can we do with the downtown?” On Jan. 14, the BOS held their second Downtown Summit Meeting as a way of bridging that very question and garnering resident input. “We want to attract the right businesses to town. Those that hold our values and think congruently as to where we want this community to be,” Herbert added. “Bringing Beth [Reynolds] on board was a huge win for us. She’s part of a great team we’ve put together that shares the same vision Tony [Schiavi]
February 2016 and I have had. It will be a community effort to get us where we want to be, but commercial expansion will not negate the fact that we are a residential community that will be funded largely through residential taxes.”
Addressing Concerns About Development Herbert is aware there is a lot of concern about residential development in town with 800 units proposed or under development. He notes this is over 10 percent more than Ashland’s base of 6,000 housing units, which constitutes a substantial change. Knowing this growth has caused some divisiveness among people in town, he underscores the importance of developing a strategic plan for the town’s future. Key questions Herbert is considering are how and how much we want Ashland to grow. He is confident that, together, with a strong team and input from the community, a plan will be developed to shape and answer those questions. This work will also determine the impact on services to be provided and the overall character of the town. “I am a great proponent of getting things done right, not just getting things done,” Herbert added. “It’s determining where you want to go as a community and then developing a roadmap on how to get there. That roadmap will be our guiding force.”
Bringing Notorious Characters to Life, Feb. 21 The Honorable R. Marc Kantrowitz discusses his latest book, Old Whiskey and Young Women: American True Crime Tales of Murder, Sex and Scandal (Fonthill Media, 2015) at the Ocean House, Ashland Historical Society, 2 Myrtle St., 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. In his book, Kantrowitz explores some of the most notorious, but now almost forgotten, legal cases in American history. From the unfair framing for murder of America’s most famous comedian, to America’s first capital case involving an older woman and her much
younger lover murdering her husband, the stories come to life in gripping detail and drama. Kantrowitz has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in political science and a law degree that led him to a long and distinguished career in the Massachusetts legal system. In addition, he has written extensively about local history, including Images of Ashland (Arcadia Press), co-authored with Edward Maguire. Refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information, visit www.ashlandhistsociety.com.
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February 2016
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Ashland Businesses: Learn to Tell Your Story By Cynthia Whitty Should I have a Facebook page? How do I identify my online audience? Do I need a website? These are questions many small and home-based businesses have. At the Ashland Business Association’s (ABA) next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2, Kristin Brandt, Ashland resident and president of Sundin Associates, Inc., a fullservice marketing and advertising agency located in Natick, will be the guest speaker. In her interactive session, Brandt will present a
holistic approach to online marketing. One example she will use is Steve the Bike Guy, a business her husband owns in Sherborn that she helps promote. “Small businesses can engage and connect with audiences by telling their stories, showing their personalities,” Brandt said. A working mother with two children, Brandt shared her stories of managing the “chaotic combination of work and family” through her podcast and blog, Manic Mommies. Before the show ended at the end of 2014, it was
downloaded over 3 million times, and attracted the attention of brands such as Chevrolet, Intel, Brooks Running and Real Simple. The public is invited to attend the meeting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. For the 10-minute business spotlight, ABA member Dixie Emond from The Residence at Valley Farm, independent, assisted and memory care living in Ashland, will discuss how to prepare for a housing transition and what questions to ask.
At the home-based business tables, ABA members Dick Bennett of Metrowest Book and Tax will provide valuable planning tips for tax season and Martha Fletcher of Earthly Wealth Jewelry will offer handmade treasures for Valentine’s Day. Purple Ink Insurance and For All the Right Reasons will provide refreshments. The next business meeting is March 1. For more information, email info@ashlandbusinessassociation.com, call 508-735-9473 or visit www.ashlandfirst.com.
Kristin Brandt says that small business owners can differentiate themselves by telling their stories and showing their personalities. (Photo/submitted)
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER OVERRIDE
continued from page 1 town meeting and the May 17 town elections. “Assuming that the BOS moves forward to put the override on the ballot, the town and the school committee will proceed to run two budgets: one on the override and one without the override,” Mitchell said. “There will probably be vigorous debate. There will be education from the newly established pro-override group and I assume from a group opposing it. The important question is, ‘What do we want our town to be? What quality of services and programs do we want?’ No one likes to pay more taxes. It’s about how you want Ashland to be in the next 5 and 10 years.” The OSC, created by the BOS last year, is made of 10 members; eight are voting members (Finance Committee members are not allowed to vote). Serving on the committee are Selectmen Steve Mitchell and Rob Scherer; Finance Committee members Ryan Turncliff and Marybeth
Morrissey; School Committee members Erin Williams and Marc Terry; Superintendent Jim Adams and Assistant Superintendent Barbara Durand; Town Manager Tony Schiavi and Assistant Town Manager Michael Herbert.
The final report (http://tinyurl. com/hfrsvla) and other overriderelated documents can be found on the town website, www.ashlandmass.com, under Documents, Public Document, Override Study Committee.
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Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
Trash-Free: AFM Offers Mini-Grants to Support New Initiative Last season Ashland Farmers Market (AFM) customers participated in an initiative to eliminate plastic bags at the outdoor market, June to October. Customers were encouraged to bring or borrow from the market reusable shopping bags. AFM will continue that successful effort again this year along with a new initiative to go trash-free. Market organizers will encourage customers to recycle or compost most of the waste from each market day to further reduce the impact on the environment. To support the intuitive,
AFM will award up to $1,000 in mini grants. Nonprofit and community groups as well as public entities may apply. Applications that provide education on the use of compostable materials or address viable and sustainable solutions for handling and removing compost within the town of Ashland will be given highest preference. The application form is available on www.ashlandfarmersmarket.org. The deadline to submit applications is March 15. For more information, email info@ashlandfarmersmarket. org.
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Community Preservation Committee Seeks Project Ideas, Feb. 2 The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a legislative tool that allows a community to set-aside money to preserve and protect open space and historic resources, create and support affordable-housing initiatives, and develop outdoor recreational opportunities. Ashland adopted the CPA in 2002. At each town meeting, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) brings financing proposals to Ashland residents for consideration and approval. However, before a project reaches town meeting floor, it must be evaluated and reviewed by the CPC to ensure that it complies with CPA legislation and local requirements for funding and merit.
The CPC is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6:45 p.m., lower level of Ashland Town Hall, 101 Main St., to: • Solicit input from residents on how Ashland’s CPA monies should be spent • Hear residents’ ideas for projects they would like the CPC to consider • Accept and review applications for project funding. For more information, visit www.ashlandmass.com or email cpc@ashlandmass.com.
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February 2016
Neighbors Helping Neighbors By Cece Doucette, Contributing Writer Now that the holiday season has passed, there are ways to continue the spirit of giving by signing up to be on standby with the Ashland Neighbor Brigade. Volunteers handle tasks on their own time, such as delivering meals and providing household items and chore support. However, the chapter is short on volunteers who can help with rides to medical appointments and other needs during the workday. Those residents who have time during the day may include active senior citizens or the newly retired; residents working from
home; those who work but have a corporate benefit that allocates paid hours for community service; and individuals between jobs or young adults not yet launched. Parents could consider dropping someone off at an appointment while running errands, and at the same time teach their children that charity begins at home, or in this case, in one’s own community. The Ashland chapter needs a bigger pool to increase the odds
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years ago, she reached out to community leader Kathy Bach who had experience setting up non-profit organizations in town. Bach shared advice and contacts to establish a network. Then the unthinkable happened: Bach’s home burned down and her family became the first supported by the Ashland Neighbor Brigade. “We were the first victims, we had to laugh at the irony!” Bach said. “You don’t know what you need in a crisis,” Bach noted. While dealing with the insurance
To volunteer, email email schlapow@gmail.com or visit www.neighborbrigade.org and click the Volunteer link to fill out the Volunteer Application. Note, for insurance purposes, all volunteers are required to submit a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form, regardless of whether a CORI has been filed through another volunteer organization. Once approved, Neighbor Brigade volunteers receive email notices when help is needed and can sign up for tasks on the on-line calendar.
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of helping right away, each time. The demand on a volunteer is very manageable. A volunteer might get a notice every month or two, and the request may be filled before one even has a chance to respond. Chapter founder and coleader Suzanne Chlapowski said, “It’s hard to ask for help sometimes when facing a crisis, so it would be wonderful if we could ease the burden by offering support immediately.” Neighbor Brigade is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that mobilizes community volunteers to step in with non-medical assistance when families or individuals are experiencing a temporary crisis. With chapters in 29 communities in Massachusetts and nearly 5,000 volunteers across the state, Neighbor Brigade provides non-medical, non-monetary services and collaborates with the shared purpose of helping fellow residents. There are no eligibility requirements for recipients, who may self-refer. Neighbor Brigade is immediate, efficient and free, and provides temporary support to those affected while strengthening the fabric of a community.
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company, salvaging what they could from the house, and piecing life back together, Bach and her husband, Win, found the Neighbor Brigade immensely helpful with day-to-day living. Chlapowski helped organize housing, food and clothing support. “It is so great to have someone take charge and suggest what can be done,” Bach said. Firefighters rescued the Bach’s family photo albums, but they were covered in soot. When Bach mentioned this to Chlapowski, she arranged to have the Ashland Public Library, Community Room available on a Sunday, and reached out via Neighbor Brigade to provide the manpower to restore the photo albums. “We had to learn to be gracious receivers,” Bach said. “We had to realize it’s important to step back and let people help.” Bach has since reached out to others in the community who suffered a subsequent home fire, and encouraged them to seek Neighbor Brigade support, too. “As much as you think you don’t need it, it is amazing how helpful it is when your own time needs to go to managing the crisis.” “We listen in order to understand your unique needs, share what has helped others in similar situations, and post the appropriate tasks on the Neighbor Brigade calendar so volunteers can sign up,” Fran Firth, Ashland Neighbor Brigade co-leader, said. “With each of us doing a little bit, it can make a big difference in times of crisis.”
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
Page 7
Save the date: Mystery Authors’ Festival, “It’s a Mystery to Me,” March 19 By Cynthia Whitty “It’s a Mystery to Me,” a moderated panel of local authors and book signing event, will be held on Saturday, March 19, 1 to 4 p.m. in the Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. The event is free and open to the public. The featured authors will be: Sheila Connolly, author of “cozies,” or traditional mysteries. Connolly writes three mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime: the Orchard Mysteries, the Museum Mysteries, and most recently, the County Cork Mysteries, set in Ireland. The first book in the newest series, Buried in a Bog, was a New York Times Mass Market Bestseller, and as was the most recent book in the Orchard Mystery series, Golden Malicious. Gary Goshgarian (aka Braver), writer of psychological thrillers. Braver is the bestselling author of eight critically-acclaimed mysteries and
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thrillers—the first three under his own name, Gary Goshgarian, the subsequent and future works under the pen name, Gary Braver. The Braver books include: Elixir, Gray Matter, Skin Deep and Flashback, the only mystery/thriller to have won a prestigious Massachusetts Book Award (2006) and in a starred review Publishers Weekly is called “an exceptional medical thriller.” Goshgarian is a professor of English at Northeastern Univer-
sity where he teaches courses in modern bestsellers, detective fiction, science fiction, horror fiction and fiction writing. Katherine Hall Page, an Agatha Christie-like traditional mystery writer. It was during her husband’s sabbatical year in France after the birth of their son that Page wrote her first mystery, The Body in the Belfry, a 1991 Agatha Award winner for Best First Mystery Novel. Fifteenth in the series, The Body in the Snowdrift,
won the 2006 Agatha Award for Best Mystery Novel. The panel will be moderated by Ashland resident and wouldbe mystery writer Alexis Christopher. She is an avid mystery reader and member of a local Mystery Circle and Sisters in Crime. There will be time for questions from the audience and an opportunity to purchase books. “We’ll have the authors talk about their writing process, say
why their chose mystery writing and read from their books to get a flavor of each,” Christopher said. The organizers, Arts! Ashland Alliance and the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, promise the event will appeal to anyone who likes a good story and is curious about the writing process. For more information, visit www.artsashland.org or www. friendsoftheapl.com or call the library, 508-881-0134.
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February 2016
The Family Pet Hospital Celebrates 18 Years of Compassionate Animal Care By Deborah Burke Henderson, Contributing Writer Even as a young girl growing up outside of Madrid, Spain, Cristina Valas, DVM, demonstrated a strong calling to care for and serve animals. Her parents’ home was filled with a menagerie of small animals, including rabbits, chicken, ducks, pigeons, and cats and dogs, along with six youngsters. Valas fondly recalls her family traveling three hours south every weekend, to the area known as LaMancha, where others like her family also lived off the land and in close proximity with cows, sheep, horses and ducks. “I lived respecting the bond between animals and humans,”
veterinary technician in Valhalla, N.Y., and then as a radiology veterinary technician at the South Shore Animal Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., Valas spent four years at Tufts Veterinary School of Medicine in Grafton, Mass., and earned her a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine. In February 1998, Valas’s dream of founding a small, familyoriented veterinary clinic came true with the opening of The Family Pet Hospital at 300 Eliot St. Her mission was to build strong, longterm relationships with clients in her community and partner with them in the shared goal of optimizing the health, happiness and longevity of their pets. Initially, the
Savahna Amico is busy working with two daycare clients, 8-yearold Pickles, a Boston Terrier, and little Fia, the French Bulldog. Staff at The Family Pet Hospital encourage socialization and cap numbers at 10-15 small dogs per session. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
Valas said. “I wanted to heal any animal that was ailing. For as long as I can remember while growing up, I was always acting as a veterinarian. I wanted to give back and do more.” Valas’s passion became her life’s work. At age 17, she came to the United States to study biology with a pre-med track and a business minor at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. After taking a twoyear academic break to work as a
roof. The expansion also offered additional pet exam rooms, a cozy space for consultation appointments and bereavement needs, and an increased retail merchandise area. Currently, Valas’s team includes two associate veterinarians—Dr. Julie Bodkin and Dr. Jacqueline
portance and benefits of seniors and the homebound having pet companionship, she offers house calls to these folks at no cost other than the normal exam charge as if they had come into the practice. Valas takes an integrative approach to health, maximizing comfort for animals and minimizing the use of drugs and surgery whenever possible. Through this approach, she combines her training in Western medicine with knowledge of functional nutrition and nutritional products and the use of progressive modalities, such
Professional groomer, Nancy Yoder, loves working with her clients, such as 6-month-old Oreo, a miniature poodle. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
hospital occupied just 900 square feet in the Ledgemere Plaza, where she had a single pet exam room for dogs and one for cats. Always with the thought of “what more can I do to meet our patients’ needs,” Valas expanded the hospital’s physical footprint to 4,200 square feet last fall. New services, such as medical boarding for pets needing individualized attention, a full-service grooming salon, a dog training programs, and dog daycare with experienced instructors are now provided under one
Warner (who specializes in the care of exotic animals)—and several client liaisons, who provide exceptional customer service around each family’s needs; a number of veterinary technicians; a professional groomer; kennel attendant; business manager; and volunteers who are equally passionate about interfacing with animals. Wellness plans are available for owners who might not be able to afford paying for the necessary treatment up front. With a plan, the pet receives the required treatment and care at the time of the visit, while the owner has the opportunity to pay for the services over time, if needed. Because Valas values the im-
Dr. Cristina Valas, DVM, founder of The Family Pet Hospital, holds 6-month-old Fia, a French Bulldog, who is enjoying the hospital’s daycare services. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
as cold laser and Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM). Her approach improves the patient’s outcome and decreases the length of time needed for recovery. Since 2003, with the addition of state-of-the-art CO2 laser equipment, Valas and her team now perform all surgeries using laser. This approach results in less bleeding, less swelling and less pain for pets requiring surgery. “Each animal is unique, and each pet becomes a part of our family and is treated as such,” Valas explained. “Our vision is to provide stellar veterinary care in a practice where pets are honored for the important role they play within the family,” Valas stated. “Our veterinary staff finds great reward in contributing to the joy of pet ownership.” For more information about The Family Pet Hospital, testimonials, its array of services and current career opportunities, visit www.thefamilypethospital.com or call 508-231-1223 to make an appointment for your pet.
The recently expanded hospital now offers a bright, clean boarding space (standard or medical boarding) for up to 9 pets. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
February 2016
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 9
Ashland Scouts Learn First Responder Skills, and More It’s been another exciting month of scouting adventures for Pack 1! The Webelo Scouts (grades 4 and 5) have been learning and practicing their first responder skills, including splinting, bandaging and other first aid techniques. Den 6 of the Tiger Scouts (grade 1) visited the Ashland Police Station, where they enjoyed a tour with Officer Karpouzis, and even spent some time in a jail cell! All
the scouts have been designing, cutting, sanding, painting and perfecting their wooden race cars for the annual Pinewood Derby. The scouts are also preparing for a fun overnight adventure at the Ecotarium in Worcester, which will include animal encounters and a planetarium show. To learn more about scouting, visit www.pack1ashlandma.org.
The Tiger Scouts in Den 6 tour the Ashland Police Station with Officer Karpouzis. (Photo/submitted)
Fasting and Prayer By Rev. Larry Iannetti, Pastor, Federated Church of Ashland A Christian tradition that is fading from popularity centers on the 40 days of Lent. Lent marks the period following Ash Wednesday (February 10) and leading up to Easter (March 27) in which Christians traditionally pause to pray and fast in order to reflect upon their faults and failings, and to turn back to God. Did you know that there are parallel traditions in Judaism and Islam in which followers set aside a period of time to fast, pray and recommit themselves to faithfulness to God? For Jews the period is called Yom Kippur, and for Muslims it is called Ramadan. While the notion of self-deprivation and prayer can seem best reserved for the most religious or pious among us, I wonder if there is a kind of wisdom to be found in such traditions that we all might find beneficial. For some the practice of fasting and prayer is understood to be a means by which we might move God to be more merciful toward us in light of our faults and failings, traditionally labeled as our sinfulness. In other words, if we let God know we are sorry, turn our lives around, God might give us a break on judgment day. Another notion we all might find useful would be to use this period as an opportunity to get in touch with our values, the kind of persons we want to be, and refocus our energies toward that goal. One of the more difficult tasks any of us may encounter in life is to change ourselves. Whether we wish to become a more patient person or more considerate of others, it takes a concerted effort to make those kinds of substantive
Webelo Scouts Dylan Mitchell and Chase Garcia practice first responder skills with trainer Gina AbbaciaSimmons. (Photo/submitted)
Love your cut changes. Regardless of whether we might describe ourselves as religious or spiritual, we can all see the disconnect between who we have become and who we want to be. The idea that there is a God who made us with the potential for goodness, with the capacity to love our neighbor, can be overshadowed by the weight of life’s burdens and struggles, the demands of day to day living, and the habitual behaviors that have become ingrained in our lives. There may be some room for understanding the Christian tradition of prayer and fasting during Lent (or as practiced by other faith traditions), intentionally setting aside some time to pray and reflect, eating or indulging less, as a means to rediscover the call of God to fulfill our potential, and turn back toward that inner Spirit found at the heart of us all. During Lent you are welcome to join us for Sunday worship at 10 a.m., a weekly prayer service on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., or a midweek morning Bible study, and rediscover your spiritual center at the Federated Church located at 118 Main St. in Ashland. “All are welcome here.”
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Page 10
February 2016
Family Reconnect Weekends By Julie Nardone, Contributing Writer When I attended high school, teachers assigned little homework, most students played freely in the neighborhoods and families ate dinner together. Today’s high school students inhabit a different educational world. They average 3 to 4 hours of homework a night, engage in multiple after-school activities, such as organized sports, and get home too late from practice to share dinners together. And they feel stressed from juggling these competing demands. In 2013, Jim Adams, then principal of Ashland High School (AHS), now the district superintendent, sought a way to relieve the academic pressures faced by student, faculty and staff at Ashland’s high-achieving high school. After holding conversations with students, parents and teachers, Superintendent Adams launched Family Recon-
nect Weekends (FRW), a bi-annual program designed to reduce stress and promote positive wellbeing and family connectedness. In 2014, FRW became district wide. At the time Adams initiated the forward-thinking program, it was the only one of its kind in the area. Since then, other school districts such as Dover-Sherborn, Hopkinton and Duxbury have followed Ashland’s lead and created similar programs.
Relax, Rest and Rejuvenate During these weekends, Adams asks teachers not to assign homework, coaches not to hold athletic games or practices and theater groups not to schedule rehearsals or plays. “I want families to truly reconnect with one another,” Adams said. “Time is too short and precious not to take advantage of this opportunity.” He believes that the students, faculty and staff
perform better when they feel relaxed, rested and rejuvenated. Several Ashland 11th grade students concur. Annie Spielberger, who shared a dinner with her family and watched a Patriots game, said, “It’s a good idea. It [FRW] helps alleviate the stress, the constant pressure to get things done. It’s a time out to enjoy the moment.” Erich Vinacco sees it as a respite from the hard grind of schoolwork. “I think of it as a mini-vacation, a time to breathe and relax and not take my family for granted.” Maddie Graves adds, “It was nice not having to worry if all my work is getting done. My family ate dinner together and played some games.” In interviews, the students said that AHS prepares them well for the outside world and believes homework to be a vehicle to help them get where they need to go in life. Yet, they would like to see school demands somehow rebal-
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anced so they could reduce teen stress and enjoy their high school experiences more, although they didn’t know quite how to do that other than eliminate homework that did not serve a pturpose. “I feel like the stress is aging me,” Vinacco stated. “I don’t feel loose and free like I should feel at 17.” Graves, who mentioned often feeling tired, said, “It’s more stressful on the days I have tests. You can have several tests and quizzes all on the same day.” Spielberger stated unequivocally that students feel real stress. “It’s school, sports, homework, bed. And it just repeats. You feel like you can’t get it all done.” But she does not fault the teachers or administrators. “They know we are human beings. They don’t want to stress us out more. The hard work will help us out in the long run.”
Pressure to Achieve vs. Health According to Superintendent Adams, quantifiable data from the 2014 Adolescent Metrowest Health Survey (www.mwhealth. org) reveals that students are indeed stressed. The report states, “Overall reports of feeling ‘very’ stressed in the past 30 days were steady at 28-29% since 2006 but increased to 35% in 2014.” Additionally, “As in previous surveys, reports of stress increase during the high school years, nearly doubling from 24% in 9th grade to 46% in 12th grade.” Adams believes student stress can be attributed to several causes: mandated tests, pressure from parents, pressure from peers, multiactivity participation and the ingrained drive to be number one. In “High-Stress High School,” an article that appeared in the October 2015 issue of The Atlantic, author Alexandra Ossola wrote, “Most people think of stress as a
bad thing, but in reality most people need some of it. But too much stress has many effects on the body and mind. Over long periods of time, elevated levels of stress hormones can degrade the immune system, cause heart problems, exacerbate respiratory and gastrointestinal issues, and bring on chronic anxiety and depression.” Perceived high achievement at the cost of health might not be a wise exchange in the medium to long run. Perhaps as the interviewed students mentioned, students, teachers and parents can further integrate the stress-reduction concept of FRWs by working together to find ways to rebalance the demands of high school with the benefits of spontaneous living. It is important not only to prepare students for life but also allow them time to have fun and enjoy their high school years. As many adults can attest, the opportunities to be carefree tend to diminish once we enter adulthood and take on the responsibilities of careers, mortgages and families. Childhood will be gone soon enough. Maybe it’s time to ease up on the adult-like demands we place on the children in our community. Maybe we should let them be children awhile longer. And if we do that, just maybe we will all feel less stressed. For further reading, see The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn. The next Family Reconnect Weekend is scheduled for March 25 to 27. For more information on participation guidelines, contact the superintendent’s office, 508-881-0150.
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February 2016
Page 11
Art in the Library UPSTAIRS DISPLAY CASE
“Walls, Bridges & Other Landscapes” Clay Sculptures by L. DeJong Jan. 21 to Feb. 27 For the past 15 years, Larry DeJong has been creating a series of clay sculptures that reflect his ongoing interest in gothic cathedrals, Chinese scholar’s rocks, natural cliff and rock formations, dolmens, Southwest American Indian cliff dwellings, cubism, architecture and Flemish paintings. These clay sculptures are rendered in a variety of clays, clay techniques and colorizing methods. This exhibit showcases some of these creations, especially recent work from 2015.
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“Mindscapes” Paintings by Pamela DeJong Jan. 21 to Feb. 27 DeJong’s “mindscapes” are mental or psychological scenes of the imagination. These works represent a tumultuous state of mind and the meditative landscapes where solace was sought. The exhibit begins upstairs adjacent to the display case, and responds to individual sculptures in the display case. Downstairs, the landscapes depict quiet, restful memories of the seasons.
Artists’ Reception: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2 to 4 p.m., in the Downstairs Gallery, for Pamela and Larry DeJong. If you are a collector and would like to share your collection with the library community by exhibiting all or part of it in the locked display case near the main circulation desk, contact exhibit coordinator Larry DeJong, leftaris@gmail.com.
Arrowhead Lake in Fall, Pamela DeJong
Milford Federal Savings & Loan Association Promotes Beth Fryc to Assistant Vice President-Compliance Milford Federal Savings & Loan Association is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Beth Fryc to the position of Assistant Vice President-Compliance. Fryc has been with the Association for nearly 27 years, and holds an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Dean College. She first joined Milford Federal
in August 1987 as a full-time teller and has since held the positions of Consumer Loan Clerk, Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager at the Whitinsville Office, and most recently Compliance Officer. She resides in Upton with her husband and daughter. Established in 1887, Milford Federal Savings & Loan has been assisting its neigh-
bors and friends for 128 years. Serving the greater Milford and Blackstone Valley areas in Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island, it has four conveniently located offices in Milford and Whitinsville, Massachusetts and Woonsocket, RI it can also be found on the web at MilfordFederal.com and on Facebook.
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Page 12
February 2016
Clocker Idol By Neha Shabeer, Student Writer, Freshman, Ashland High School Unlike the slowly demising “American Idol” on its 15th and final season, “Clocker Idol” is exponentially thriving. The competition on Dec. 22 marked its second hit and run with a crowd of Ashland fans! Sponsored by the Ashland High School Student Council and Choruses to support the Metrowest YMCA, the event was a real success, with pride and spirit, to showcase the talent of Ashland’s well sprung vocal cords. The competition was narrowed down to 10 finalists after brutal preliminary rounds auditioning the best of the best from Ashland High. The startling talent of the freshman class made them half of these finalists! Making it a true homage to “American Idol,” the Student Council even created a promotional video with standard questions like, “Why should you be the next ‘Clocker Idol?’” and the contestant reacting to getting the “golden ticket to Hollywood” in front of the classic Clocker blue background. The show began with enthusiastic hosts Kitzia Diaz and Katie Forcier revving up the crowd
for action and introducing the judges: Ms. Carreiro, Mr. McGann, Ms. Mercadante, Ms. St. Coeur, and Ms. Twomey. Sadly, the faculty and administrators didn’t do the heavenly descent down the stairs like true “American Idol” judges. Nonetheless, they were quite good judges. They were not afraid to give both positive and negative feedback and even throw some sass in there, as well! After ten dazzling performances from Haley Boccuzzi, Ethan Bourque, Ellen Bronstein, Julia Caruso, Nick Davis, Emilia Fonseca, Kiara Leak, Spencer Lezin, Alicia Mazuric and Peter Saxionis, the judges needed to make the tough decision selecting four contestants to move on to the final round. After careful deliberation, they picked Russian and Japanese classical singer Ellen B., bluesy singer Alicia Mazuric, powerhouse vocalist Emilia Fonseca, and soulful crooner Peter Saxionis to sing one more song. After some spectacular singing, it was time to vote. Each audience member was given five tickets as they entered, so they could vote for any of the four contestants distributing their tickets as they desired. After a
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Clock Idol 10 finalists. (Photo/ submitted)
Clocker Idol winner, Peter Saxionis. (Photo/submitted)
10- minute intermission filled with snacks and chatter, the competition began again with a performance from last year’s “Clocker Idol” season 1 winner, Emily Finnegan, before an-
nouncing the season 2 winner. The winner was *drumroll, please* freshman PETER SAXIONIS with his vulnerable rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier” at the piano. His voice was absolutely
breathtaking and I can’t wait to see what he does next. His smile lit up the room as he received his big check and by the end of the night, he was covered with lipstick on his cheeks, just like an “American Idol” winner. In addition to pumping up Ashland pride, “Clocker Idol” was one of the Student Council’s major events as a widely successful fundraising event raising $1,169 for the Metrowest YMCA. As a person with less singing talent than a frying pan, it was remarkable to see my friends burst out of their bubbles and let their expertise shine through for one night for a great cause. For more about the happenings at Ashland High School through my eyes, keep reading my monthly column :)
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Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 13
AHS Club Raises Funds, Plans Events for Children with Serious Illness By Olivia White, Student Writer, Sophomore, Ashland High School This year the Make-A-Wish Club at Ashland High School (AHS) has hit the ground running. The AHS chapter recently traveled to Disneyland to volunteer as “Angels” at Give Kids the World, a “storybook” resort in Kissimmee, Florida, where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. The students worked hard in various capacities and got an up-close look at the importance of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a prominent national, nonprofit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening
disease and degenerative, malignant or progressive conditions. Its clubs and the foundation are
run by dedicated donors, volunteers, and supporters. AHS Club members meet
every other Thursday morning to discuss fundraising ideas and ways to improve upcoming events.
For their next big event, the Club is preparing a “Jump for Joy” fundraiser involving several clubs from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The AHS Club is inviting parents and their children to come and enjoy bouncy houses and trampolines in the AHS gymnasium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6. There also will be a bake sale offering homemade baked goods. All ticket proceeds will go toward the foundation for future events. Jennifer Pavia-Shiels, Club advisor and AHS psychologist, is always happy to welcome new members as this important Club continues to grow. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, contact Shiels at jpaviashiels@ashland.k12.ma.us or 508-881- 0177.
Sedation Dentistry: A Relaxing Way to Visit the Dentist By Dr. Selim (Sal) Alptekin, Metrowest Dental Care Patients sometimes have had one type or another of unpleasant dental experience, like pain with a tooth extraction or the sound of the dental drilling. These types of experiences have left people with the need for a more pleasant experience in the dental chair. Understanding fears and worries many patients go through about dental procedures is a very important and critical part of good patient care. It is so important, that a negative experience can result in dental phobia, and a great experience can transform someone with great fears to a “pleasure to treat” and a happy patient. This is a daily occurrence across the dental chairs in the world! We are fortunate that there are so many wonderful advancements in dentistry that help people in so many different ways. One of the most significant, is our ability to sedate our patients. Here is a brief explanation of dental sedation and how it works: You are someone who goes to the dentist regularly and typically has no issues with going, but are told that a tooth must
be removed – a big back molar tooth that may not be an easy one to take out. You certainly can have it removed with local anesthetics, but no matter how well it is performed, many peo-
ple experience a very long and uncomfortable visit. Some level of sedation, along with local anesthesia (Novocain) can help a patient have a better, pain-free experience with little to no rec-
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ting in a chair for the work are now not anxious at all! Finally, if you are someone who has avoided the dentist for years because of fear, sedation dentistry is the answer for you.
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Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 14
February 2016
Ashland Travels
Hanoi: A Unique Destination in Indochina By Howard Axelrod, Contributing Writer My wife and I just returned from a month in Vietnam. We toured with Overseas Adventure Travel (www.oattravel.com), and I can’t say enough about this trip. In the upcoming issues I hope to write articles that highlight our experiences. Our journey begins in Hanoi, the 4,000-year-old capital city of Vietnam. Getting to Hanoi from Boston requires a 16-hour flight over the top of the globe to Hong Kong, followed by a 3-hour flight to Hanoi. If you are adventurous travelers like my wife and me, it is well worth the 8,500-mile effort.
The Art of Getting Around Getting around this city of 7.2 million industrious people can be an adventure it itself. There are very few cars other than taxis, and 5.5 million motorbikes rule the road. Be extremely careful crossing streets as there are almost no rules for traffic, and motorbikes come at you from every direction. They even use the sidewalk! There is an art form to crossing, which to a large degree involves putting your basic survival instincts aside. Do not attempt to bolt across the road; it is impossible. For the first few times, attach yourself to a local. They know what to do since they do this every day. After a dozen
street life that defines Hanoi but is far enough away from the frenzied Old Quarter to allow some rest. Exciting and colorful street markets abound within steps of the hotel entrance. From this hotel almost everything is within walking distance. Should your destination be beyond walking distance, take a taxi. Expect to pay about 1/6 of US taxi rates.
Time to Eat and Have Coffee
Artist at the One Pillar Pagoda. (Photos/Howard Axelrod)
or so accompanied crossings, you will have mastered the art and be able to pull it off on your own. Hanoi is a very safe city, as acquiring a gun in Vietnam is almost impossible. Additionally, anyone caught with a gun goes to jailno exceptions. Moreover, there is no drug trade here. Like all major cities, the crime of choice in Hanoi is pick pocketing, so common sense applies. Hanoi is a very inexpensive place by western standards. I needed a haircut when I arrived so I got one in a barber shop for $2 USD. The street barber gets $1. I recommend staying at the May de Ville at 24 Hang Thuyen St. This hotel is reasonably priced and situated in the heart of the
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As a fan of Asian cuisine, I suggest the delicious Vietnamese noodle soups known as “Pho” (pronounced “Phu”). It is “Vietnam in a bowl,” visually pleasing and has a delightful taste and aroma. It is served everywhere in the country, and the herb and spice trimmings vary from place to place. My tastes are simple; I like the best. Easily done! Within two blocks of the May de Ville is Pho Thin, which is rated by locals as serving the best Pho in the city. Only one dish is available at this restaurant. It is Pho Bo (beef noodle soup), and a full portion is about $2. This is a local’s place, but tourists do come and go with regularity. Don’t worry. The Vietnamese people are warm, hospitable and friendly, and you will be accepted as their guest immediately. Unless you are adept at using chopsticks, bringing a few plastic forks in your suitcase will prove to be a good move. It is hard not to be amazed here by the massive 40-gallon simmering soup pots and the charcoal-powered “furnace” stove that adorns the open kitchen as you enter. The smell is fabulous! I want to go back! When is the next flight out from Logan? After lunch, my cup of tea (no pun intended) is coffee. Vietnam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world, and their quality is excellent. Coffee here, like many foods, was introduced by the French in the 1800s, and the Vietnamese have raised it to an art form. As the second largest producer of coffee in the world, they control 20 percent of the world’s coffee export market. Start at Ha Noi Coffee Time at 39 Dinh Tien Hoang. Their coffee offerings are excellent. Find your way through the narrow alleyway and up several
flights of steep stairs to this 3rd floor establishment. Go immediately to the deck overlooking the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, which marks the center of Hanoi. Enjoy your coffee from the deck and watch as the endless stream of motorbikes and bicycles carrying everything imaginable passes below you. The bikes are often stacked to the sky to the point that defies physics. I saw a refrigerator being carried on the back of a motorbike! Try to count the street vendors selling all manner of produce and goods. Four people on a motorbike is not an uncommon sight. I have personally seen five. Helmets are usually worn but not always. Beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake is in the background. This will be a memorable experience, and, yes, I made a few return trips here.
A Relaxing Stroll, Local Color and More Delicious Coffee From the Pho and the coffee, you have taken on some weight, and the logical next step (again,
Entrance to Ngoe Son Temple.
no pun intended) is to walk around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, which you have been viewing from Ha Noi Time Coffee’s deck. This is a delightful 45-minute walk. There is a lovely pagoda right in the middle of the lake. Take a stroll on the red wooden Huc (Morning Sunlight) pedestrian bridge, and visit the attached magnificent Ngoe Son Temple. The walk is an easy one, and you will see locals sitting on benches and talking, as well as men and women, young and old, making use of the outdoor gymnasium, like a local version of California’s Muscle Beach, but in their clothes, without the bathing suits. Outdoor exercise equipment is a common sight in Vietnam. Locals and students will engage you in an attempt to practice their English. Spend time with them. They are genuine and sincere, and as curious about you as you are about them. They will perhaps want to take your pic-
HANOI
continued on page 15
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
Page 15
Street barber offers $1 haircuts.
Incense burner at the Temple of Literature.
HANOI
continued from page 14 ture. If you get a chance to come back to this area after dark, do not hesitate. It is beautifully lit, has a magical atmosphere and is completely safe. After you complete your loop around the lake, you are close enough to the Old Quarter to check it out. Be prepared for excitement and amazing sights. The Old Quarter dates back to the 13th century, and is the beehive of local’s commerce in Hanoi. It consists of 70-plus small streets and countless alleys where anything and everything can be bought. Many streets specialize in only a single product sector, and there are entire streets where every shop and vendor sells similar items. There is coffee street, shoe street (10s of thousands of shoes!), pots and pans street, silver street, silk street, bamboo street and even funeral street, where anything from funerary incense to coffins and gravestones can be purchased. Throw into the mix an endless variety of fruit, vegetable and flower vendors and
hundreds of motorbikes, and it can be a bit overwhelming. Still, this is a “must do” for the traveler to Hanoi. To not see the Old Quarter would be like visiting the Sistine Chapel and not looking up! Perhaps you are a bit tired from your walk. You need more coffee. Cafe Giang’s specialty is Egg coffee. They invented it. I know what you are thinking, but it not disgusting, and in fact tastes like coffee candy. An egg white is mixed with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, and added to the already delicious strong Vietnamese coffee. It is a tasty and enjoyable “must do” while in Hanoi, and I made several return trips here during my stay.
Museums and Temples Abound For the museum lover, there is no shortage of interesting places. There are literally dozens of museums to visit. My favorites are the Museum of Ethnology where you can learn about the 54 indigenous tribal groups that inhabit Vietnam; the Museum of Women where a beautiful tribute to the im-
portance of woman in the history of Vietnam is shown in the most reverent and tasteful manner; and the Temple of Literature, which served as Vietnam’s first university. The temple has survived numerous wars and remains one of Hanoi’s most beautiful sites. Don’t forget to visit the Hoa Lo Prison, better known to westerners as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where US Senator John McCain and many other POWs spent time during the war. Today, it is a fantastic museum and another “must see.” However, there is little left to the imagination here, so if you are travelling with young children, this is not an appropriate place. For a more uplifting experience, visit the small but beautiful One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda is considered the symbol for Hanoi and remains one of the city’s most cherished sights. The shrine inside the pagoda is dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan Am with her effigy nestled inside. The grounds and beautiful gardens provide a peaceful setting in which to relax and contemplate. There are many talented artists working here, gathering inspiration from the Pagoda’s beauty. This is a place where it is worth your time to look for unique things to bring home. Entrance fees for the attractions mentioned range from free to a maximum of $2.
Pay Your Respects Lastly, but most importantly,
pay your respects to the Godfather of modern Vietnam at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where his body can be viewed. Arrive early since this is a very popular attraction and only a small group of people are allowed to enter the mausoleum at a time. I found this experience to be very moving. “Uncle Ho” is loved throughout the country and the defining symbol of Vietnam itself. His picture is in every schoolroom in the country. Spend some time here to view the Presidential Palace, tour the museum and enjoy the grounds and gardens. It is time well-spent.
Hanoi is a safe city and was a wonderful place for us to be introduced to the amazing phenomenon which is today’s Vietnam. Howard Axelrod is an Ashland resident, travel photographer, sometimes writer and former high technology executive. He has photographed in 74 countries on six continents and has travelled to 38 of the U.S. states. Axelrod is primarily interested in native and tribal cultures, architecture and wildlife, which he feels are all disappearing at an alarming rate. His goal is to document through photographs as much of this as possible, while it still exists. He can be reached at highwind@verizon.net.
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February 2016
Stretch Your Dollar with These Great Projects Trying to beat the winter blues? Sometimes a quick spruce up project can have a big impact on your home and your mood! Here are some fantastic and economical projects that you can do that will give your home and your spirit a lift. It is important to keep up with maintenance on your home while keeping the look fresh and exciting. Here are a few great ideas.
A Fresh Coat of Paint This is easy to do yourself, or you can hire a professional. Repainting will instantly bring rooms inside your home up to date and make the exterior of your home look great. Be daring with your color choice, as bold, bright colors have a dramatic effect.
Spruce Up the Kitchen Instead of a full kitchen re-
model, consider a more cost effective approach – including repainting the cabinets, new counters and flooring, and perhaps some enhanced lighting. Make sure your cabinets are worth painting. There are lots of well-built cabinets that will look beautiful when painted, and granite is surprisingly affordable. This is a great way to get a few more years out of your ex-
T H E A S H L A N D M U S I C A S S O C I AT I O N P R E S E N T S
isting kitchen and you’ll be surprised what an impact this will have. You’ll get the best results for this type of project if you hire a company that can handle all aspects of the job.
Bathroom Make Over If you have a tired old bathroom it’s usually best for a complete gut and remodel, but that doesn’t mean big bucks. A project like this usually includes a new tub with an acrylic or tile surround, tile floor, vanity and top, toilet, lighting, and paint. There are some parts of a project like this you can tackle yourself, but this is the type of work you’re better off bringing in a professional contractor for; and make sure electrical and plumbing work is completed by a licensed professional (not a jack of all trades!)
Have Fun with the Kids’ Rooms
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Let’s face it, kids’ tastes change like the seasons. Last year it was race cars and princesses, this year it’s aliens and rock bands. No problem, don’t be afraid to let your kids have fun decorating their rooms. Change the tired old carpets to wood floors or a new carpet, add a fresh coat of paint and a new blind or window treatment and your ready to go. Most importantly, let the kids decide on the colors and include them in the entire process. It’s a great family project, and it beats sitting around and watching TV. And you never know if you’ll have the next Martha Stewart on your hands!
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Whether it’s tile for the kitchen or mudroom, wood floors or carpet for any room, or various other types of products available on the market now, this is always a home run. You’ll get great value and a new look and feel for any room in your home!
Window Treatments I’m amazed at how many homes I visit that have nothing on the walls and no window treatments. It’s like walking into a jail! Blinds or drapes will not only add a great look to any room, they will also soften the
Doug Masters
feel of a room, increase the efficiency of your windows by keeping heat in during the winter and out during the summer, and also absorb sound which makes any room feel more cozy. Options range from premade products that you can install yourself to custom blinds and window treatments that offer a better selection of color and design. Some other projects to consider that won’t break the bank but will help keep your home fresh include a new front door, new garage doors, replacing all the rotting wood, and keeping up with all the other handy man projects. While it might be tempting to put projects like this off, the routine maintenance on your home will accumulate if you don’t keep up with it, so getting some of these nagging projects done a little at a time is always a good idea. Finally, don’t be afraid to call a professional! I’ve seen far too may “do it yourself ” nightmares lately, including a kitchen that is going on two years to complete. It’s important to have a realistic understanding of what types of jobs you can complete yourself and which ones will require professional assistance. Once you’ve made the proper decision, you’ll be surprised how much you can get done and relieved at how much you can save. Doug Masters is the owner of Masters Touch, located at 24 Water St., Holliston. For more information call 508-359-5900, e-mail info@ MastersTouchWeb.com or visit www. MastersTouchWeb.com.
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
Page 17
Living Healthy Martin Luther King, Jr. community service event:
Power of the Quilt Tobi Hoffman from Ashland worked with volunteers from 11 surrounding towns on Jan. 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Area Church (UUAC) in Sherborn for a day-long quilt-a-thon known as The Power of the Quilt Project. Twenty-two volunteers come together, blending their talents of hand sewing, machine stitching, cutting and piecing fabric squares, pinning, backing and
quilting colorful comfort quilts. A dozen beautiful quilts will be given to women and men undergoing chemotherapy and to the Linus Project, which provides comforting handmade quilts and blankets to children facing hardship. The Project is a joint venture between the UUAC in Sherborn and the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild in Walpole. (Photo/Deborah Burke Henderson)
Treating Cystic Acne Lisa Massimiano, Licensed Esthetician and Certified Acne Specialist Owner of Skin Smart Salon Cystic acne is the most visible of all acne types. Seen often on adolescent boys, it appears as large red pustules on the skin and can be painful to the touch. Unfortunately, this is also the type of acne that can cause permanent scarring.
What causes cystic acne All acne lesions start out as “microcomedos.” As the lesion grows it can develop in one of two ways; it can turn into a non-inflamed lesion (a closed whitehead or open blackhead) or develop into an inflamed pustule or cyst. Cystic acne occurs when a person not only has an inherited tendency for
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acne, but also has the inherited tendency for inflammation. The DNA of an individual’s skin determines which type of acne will develop.
Treating Cystic acne Although, cystic acne is the most visible type of acne, the good news is that cystic (inflamed) acne can be easier to clear than non-inflamed acne. It is closer to the surface than non-inflamed acne and responds more quickly to the anti-inflammatory products used to get it under control. With my acne clients, I use a combination of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory topical products to bring down the existing inflammation and keep it from reoccurring. In addition to the right topical products, there are supple-
ments you can take to help reduce inflammation in the skin such as: zinc, omega-3 fish oil and pro-biotics. Icing your skin is also helpful with cystic acne. I tell my clients to fill a Dixie cup with water, freeze it and after cleansing, roll it over their face for a minute or two. The ice reduces inflammation and redness, and is soothing on inflamed skin. It is important to get on the right treatment regimen to clear cystic acne. The quicker you bring the inflammation down, the less chance there is of permanent scarring. Questions about acne? Call me at 508-881-1180 or email me at skinsmartsalon@aol.com. Visit my website skinsmartsalon.com for information about my acne program and other services.
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Page 18
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
Sports Gymnast Chloe Covell Has Team Spirit By Chris Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer As a freshman on the Medfield-Ashland-Dover (MAD) gymnastic team, Ashland’s Chloe Covell was able to compete at the Individual Gymnastics Tournament on a high level, and by her sophomore campaign, she had things down pat and found herself a champion. Last winter Covell finished third place on the floor, while capturing the Individual State Championship on the vault with a score of 9.45. The now Ashland junior is competing on the vault and bars as well as the floor exercise and looking to take her talents back to both the Individual State Tournament and the New England Tournament once again. “Vault and bars are my top events, but I also participate in bars. I’m not bad on the bars, but it is not my strongest event,” Covell said. “My goal is to once again make it to the tournaments. I plan on not only practicing harder, but competing on a higher level this year to get back there.”
MAD Coach Jenn Libin agreed with her junior gymnast that she is a competitive individual on the bars, but vault and floor are by far her best events. “She is one of our top competitors on the bars, but it is not her best event,” the coach said. “Last year Chloe was definitely a key to our success helping to lead the team to a seventh place finish at the States.” In addition to participating on the gymnastic team, Covell is also a member of the Ashland track team where she runs the 100 and 400 meter hurdles and long jumps. Last year she qualified to attend the State Tournament in the 400 m hurdles but could not attend due to prior commitments. “I would have liked to participate in the States in the 400, but I had a gymnastics meet,” she said. “So I guess you can say gymnastics is much more important to me than track.” Having begun gymnastics at the very young age of 2 when her mother signed her up because she thought it would be a good idea, Covell soon relished
the team,” the coach said. “This year she seems to be a lot more driven and her leadership skills are obvious. Although she is already a strong competitor, she still asks for more practice time.” With teammate and now coach Corey Bennett, Covell is looking to sore to new heights. Already in their first meet this season, the junior has already put up some incredible scores: 9.7 on the vault, 9.6 on the floor and an 8.7 on the bars. The vault and floor scores were the highest Covell has ever achieved. “I’m usually nervous at the beginning of a meet, but I really wanted to do my best,” she said. “I felt really good when I did; it was the same feeling I had when I made the varsity team.” While Covell is hoping that she can get back to the States and then do something at the
(Photos/submitted)
in the opportunity and became what she is today. “At thatage I was doing basic rolls and cartwheels when the coaches noticed I was good at it, so they moved me up,” Covell said. “It wasn’t until fifth grade when I realized that I was good. I achieved a level seven and attended the Nationals in
Kentucky; that was a huge accomplishment and my true talent was realized.” Coach Libin believes that Covell is one of the strongest competitors on the team. “She is extremely competitive in all four events. She’s very talented and a hard working individual, which is a great asset to
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New England Tournament, she would much rather perform on a high level with her teammates. “Individual goals are great, but I’d rather do something as a team,” Covell said. “Last year we made the state tournament for the first time in five years and finished seventh. I want to do better than that this year.” The junior loves the team atmosphere on the high school level much more compared to her club team. On the high school level, the girls are all aiming for a goal together, instead of for themselves. This alone gives Covell the extra push to be the best that she possible can be.
February 2016
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 19
Sports Ashland’s Simeone Now Coaching JV Hoops in Bellingham By Ken Hamwey, Staff Sports Writer Nicole Simeone may be only 22 years old, but she’s wellversed in sports management and coaching. That’s probably why the Ashland native was hired as Bellingham High School’s junior varsity basketball coach. Simeone, who graduated from Ashland High in 2011, played on two state championship softball teams and was a Tri Valley League all-star in softball and field hockey. At Nichols College, where she graduated with a degree in sports management last year, she was a two-time Commonwealth Coast Conference all-star in field hockey. Now, she’s working on a master’s in business at Nichols and also getting her feet wet in a variety of athletic roles. “I was an assistant coach in field hockey last year at Nichols and I’ll be a graduate assistant this spring in softball,’’ Simeone said. “I’m also working at the college as the coordinator for women’s recruiting. All of these roles are part of my master’s degree program.’’ When a vacancy occurred in Bellingham, Simeone applied and was hired as the Blackhawks’ junior varsity coach in girls’ basketball. The job may not sound like a big deal, but it’s an important role because it’s the feeder program for a varsity team that’s been a Sectional champion for the last two years. Bellingham’s varsity also played in the state semifinals the last two years and lost two close encounters to Hoosac Valley. “When I applied and was hired, it was exciting because it was my first head coaching position,’’ Simeone said. “I was honored to be chosen and it’s been a great learning experience. Coaching can be enjoyable and rewarding, but it’s also challenging. I’m pleased to be working with head coach Stacy Bilodeau. She’s knowledgeable and a great teacher of the sport. My role is to develop talent and help the
younger players sharpen their skills for varsity play.’’ The 5-foot-8 Simeone was a capable and talented athlete at Ashland, always willing to learn and absorb the advice of her coaches. She played as a defender in field hockey and was an outfielder in softball. She competed on the varsity in both sports all four years. “My top thrill in high school was playing on two state champion softball teams that posted a 54-0 record for two seasons,’’ Simeone noted. “I was a freshman and sophomore when we beat Hudson both times. It was a great ride, nothing like it. Our team had it all—pitching, hitting and defense. And, playing with a teammate like Nicki D’Argento
was great. She was our star pitcher who later excelled at Boston College. She was confident and inspiring. Those teams are memorable because there were no forced friendships; everyone was positive on the field; we bonded and played hard.’’ A .300 hitter who had power, Simeone remembers hitting one home run in each of her four years. “My first home run, as a freshman, came in a victory against Medway,’’ she recalled. “That’s was memorable.’’ In field hockey, defense was Simeone’s strength but her desire to score a goal was realized in a contest against Dover-Sherborn. “We were losing, 3-0, but I scored close in on a corner,’’ she said. “I remember that because it was a great to experience scoring a goal.’’ An admirer of Brooke Perry, her Ashland field hockey coach, and Steve O’Neil, her softball coach, Simeone considers both quality mentors who helped her develop in the sports roles she’s now involved with. “Brooke showed me the ropes, she had great qualities and was a mentor,’’ Simeone said. “Steve taught me a lot about softball and made me a better player.’’ When Simeone coached field hockey at Nichols last fall, she realized that challenges occur. She was working with women who were her teammates a year earlier. “It was difficult the first
few games because I suddenly wasn’t competing,’’ she said. “And, coaching women who were teammates is a challenge. I had to show that I couldn’t be their friend on the field. There has to be a line when you coach.’’ Simeone is sure she’ll bring much of what she learned as a player at Ashland to the table as a coach at Nichols and Bellingham. “I’ll always rely on what I learned in high school,’’ she noted. “If that helps a player, that’s fine. In softball, I’ll revert to how successful we were at Ashland and try to bring what made us successful at Ashland to Nichols.’’
Although Simeone’s jayvee squad at Bellingham has struggled a bit (3-6 record), she’s intent on keeping the environment upbeat. “My goal was to finish over .500,’’ she emphasized. “But, the key for a coach and player is to maintain a positive atmosphere. And, I’ll keep stressing to my players to be competitive, to keep improving and to enjoy their sport.’’ Nicole Simeone knows that athletics can teach valuable life lessons. She says she’s a good example of that concept. She’s also a fine example of the type of leader that high school and college athletic departments need to attract.
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February 2016
Ashland Elementary Schools
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Community Events Fourth Tuesday 7 p.m: The Front Street Readers book discussion group meets at the Ashland Library, 66 Front St. To be discussed on Feb. 23: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. 508-881-0134. Third Wednesday 5:30 to 6:30 p.m: Dementia Caregiver Support Groups offered by The Residence at Valley Farm, 369 Pond St. Free memory screenings, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Contact Emily Beauchemin, 508-532-3197, ebeauchemin@ residencevalleyfarm.com. Fridays 7 p.m: Friends’ Friday Night Film Series shows predominantly independent or foreign films. Many of the films are shown with subtitles in English. Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. www.friendsoftheapl. com, 508-881-0134. Through February 27 “Mindscapes,” paintings by Pamela DeJong and “Wall, Bridges & Other Landscapes,” clay sculptures by L. DeJong, Ashland Library, 66 Front St. www.friendsoftheapl.com Through February 29 Registration for the spring season of Ashland Youth Baseball and Softball. (Exception: T-Ball and K-Softball will remain open until March 15.) To register, follow the registration link on the website, www.aybsonline.org. For questions, email registrar@aybsonline.org. Tuesday, February 2 5:30 pm: The Ashland Business Association will present guest speaker, Ashland resident Kristin Brandt, president of Sundin Associates, Inc., a full-service mar-
keting and advertising agency. The public is invited to attend. Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. www.ashlandfirst.com, 508-735-9473. 6:45 pm: Community Preservation Committee public hearing, Town Hall, Lower Level, 101 Main St. cpc@ashlandmass.com, www.ashlandmass.com. Wednesday, February 3 6 to 7 pm: Ashland Parent Advisory Council (ASHPAC) monthly meeting (note early start time before workshop). Ashland Middle School, Activity Room (front left entrance), 87 W Union St. 7 pm: ASHPAC Workshop, Executive Functions: Fit the Strategy to the Learning Profile by Jackie Stachel, MS CCC-SLP from Beyond BookSmart. All are welcome to both events. Ashland Middle School, Activity Room, 87 W Union St. (Snow date: Feb. 10) Thursday, February 4 4 to 7 pm: Harry Potter Book Night. Join in the fun as the downstairs lobby is transformed into Platform 9 ¾ and Hogwarts Castle. For all ages of Harry Potter fans. Costumes encouraged! Activities, refreshments and raffle prizes. Ashland Library, 66 Front St., 508-881-0134. Friday, February 5 8 am: Annual Library Legislative Breakfast to learn about the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ FY2017 Legislative Agenda (http://mblc.state. ma.us/mblc/legislative/index. php) and other pending library legislation. Ashland Library, 66 Front St. 508-881-0134. Tickets go on sale for AEFI’s 13th Annual Teacher Awards Gala, www.ashlandeducation.org
Saturday, February 6 4 p.m: Registration for A Capella Workshop (4:30 to 6:30 p.m) for grades 8-12 with UMass Lowell’s all-male Hawkapella and the all-female Hawkettes followed by a concert fundraiser. Price for workshop, $12, includes dinner and concert. For more information or to preregister, contact Marilyn Marsh, Marilyna618@ gmail.com. Ashland High School, 65 E Union St. 7 p.m: A Capella Concert fundraiser. Adults, $10; students, $5. Ashland High School, 65 E Union St. Sunday, February 7 8 to 11 am: Clocker Club Annual Pancake Breakfast. Includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, maple syrup, orange juice, hot coffee, raffle prizes and fun activities, such as pictures with the Clocker Mascot. $7, adult in advance/$8 at the door; $5, Senior or Student in advance/$6 at the door; $3, child (ages 3-10) in advance/$4 at the door. Purchase tickets online, www.clockerclub. org, at the Clocker Store or at the door. in the Ashland High School, Cafeteria, 65 E Union St. Tuesday, February 9 7 pm: Mosaics class for adults with Cheryl Cohen. Create a mosaic coaster or light switch cover. Learn to cut glass, glue and grout. Class is limited to 20. Ashland Library, 66 Front St. Register in advance, 508-881-0134. Thursday, February 11 7 to 8:30 pm: “Social Emotional Learning and Resilience Building” with Susan Rivers, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. For parents of children of all ages. Co-sponsored by Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn, ASHPAC, Ashland K-12 PTO,
and the Friends of the Ashland Library. Ashland High School, Auditorium, 65 E Union St. coalitioninfo@ashlanddecisions.org 7 to 9 pm: Ashland Documentary Film & Discussion Series presents Resonance: Beings of Frequency. It’s all around us now, invisible, but we know it’s there. Every time you lift up your mobile phone you know it’s there: electromagnetic radiation (EMR). It is very hard to turn the clock back, in fact it is impossible, but we need to be aware of the adverse health effects so that we can have the choice of taking precautions against the exposures. (This film was rescheduled from Dec. 10.) Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. www.friendsoftheapl.com, 508881-0134. Sunday, February 21 2 pm: Ashland Historical Society presents, Marc Kantrowitz, “Old Whiskey and Young Women–American True Crime Tales of Murder, Sex and Scandal.” Kantrowitz discusses his latest book, in which some of the most notorious, but now almost forgotten, legal cases in American history are explored. Ocean House, 2 Myrtle St. www.ashlandhistsociety.com, 508-881-8183. Tuesday, February 23 7 to 8:30 pm: “Ready, Set Go! Using Unstructured Time— How to support Learning in Young Children Without Pushing,” for parents of children pre-K to Grade 4. Co-sponsored by Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn and the Friends of the Library. Ashland Library, 66 Front St. 508-881-0134. 7 to 9 pm: Ashland Documentary Film & Discussion Series presents This Emotional Life: Families, Friends and Lovers (Part 1) The first of a three-part series,
this film explores ways to improve our social relationships, cope with emotional issues, and become more positive, resilient individuals. Each episode weaves together the compelling personal stories of ordinary people and the latest in brain science research. This first episode looks at the importance of relationships and why they are central to our emotional well-being. What are the cognitive and neurological processes underpinning our everyday interactions and can they help us to understand why some relationships flourish and others fail. Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. www.friendsoftheapl. com, 508-881-0134. Saturday, February 27 7:30 to 11:30 am: Ashland Boy Scout Troop 23 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. Includes sausage, juice, milk, coffee and all-you-can-eat pancakes. Adults, $5; $3, seniors and under 5 years; free, children 2 and under. St. Cecilia’s Church, 54 Esty St. (Troop 2 Pancake Fundraiser, Saturday, March 5, 8:30 to 11 am, American Legion, 40 Summer St.)
Town Committees and Boards For times and dates, visit the town website, www.ashlandmass. com, and click “Public Meeting Calendar.” Email your event, with “CALENDAR” in the subject line, by the 15th of every month to editor@ashlandtownnews.com. Events will be included as space permits.
Our Ad & Editorial Deadline is the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 22
February 2016
Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn Coalition: Five Ways to Connect and Build Positive Relationships influence as children age. Here are some ideas:
Make Conversation a Habit Research shows that children who feel more connected to their family have a lower risk of substance use and other risky behaviors. Spending time together helps strengthen family bonds, builds trust, and provides an opportunity for conversation. Small gestures can have a large impact on building and sustaining a positive relationship between parents and kids and can have a lasting positive
Find everyday opportunities to talk with your child. Ask about what they are doing in school or go for a walk and let your child take the lead in the conversation. Regular conversation helps your child develop their communication skills and shows them that they can talk with you about anything.
Support Positive Choices Help your child learn to make positive choices by acknowledging appropriate decisions. Let your
child know you are proud of them when they help a classmate or try a new activity even though their friends are doing something different. Teens may be dealing with peer pressure to make choices that are unsafe or unhealthy. Help your teen identify the possible consequences of their decisions. Sharing your positive experiences with your children and reiterating family values builds trust and teaches them to make choices that are good for them.
a question or a concern. Assure your child that he/she can always be honest with you. Listen to your child vent. Rephrase their comments to indicate you’ve heard what he/she is saying. Give nonverbal support by nodding and smiling. Ask questions. Oftentimes children do not want advice, but just want to be able to share their feelings. Thank them for coming to you and trusting you.
Be a Good Listener
Have your children come up with a fun idea for a regular routine that the whole family can par-
Create a safe environment for your child to come to you with
Sha’arei Shalom Community Announcements Sha’arei Shalom is a memberdriven, diverse congregation offering the warmth of a small community. We recognize the wide range of views in our congregation and provide both tradition and innovation, giving us the opportunity to learn and grow as a community.
Shabbat ‘Live’ Services: Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Live! is an interactive,
musical service featuring our Shabbat Live! Band. Come experience our lively twist on a traditional Shabbat service. A community Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. Ashland Community Center, 162 West Union St. For more information, call 508-231-4700, email info@shaareishalom.org, or visit www.shaareishalom.org.
Free Events at The Residence The following events are free and open to the public and will be held at The Residence at Valley Farm, 369 Pond Street, Ashland. For all events, please sign up in advance by calling 508-532-3197.
Free Blood Pressure Clinic Monday, Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tai Chi Looking for a new way to exercise? Join us every Friday at 10:00 a.m. The experts agree that this form of exercise has value in treating or preventing many health problems.
U.S. Navy Band Northeast Brass Quintet America’s Navy is coming to Ashland. Navy Band Northeast’s
Brass Quintet, Top B will be performing a concert as part of “A Day of Honor: Our Presidents” on Friday, Feb. 5, 2 p.m.
Lifelong Learning Series Professor of Sociology Ira Silver from Framingham State University discusses the social changes that our society is experiencing through the use of mobile communication in this talk, “May I Have Your Undivided Attention? How Mobile Communication is Changing the Way We Interact With One Another,” Thursday, Feb. 11, 1:30 pm.
Wellness Wednesday Talks We will explore the many avenues of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10:00 a.m.
Create a Special Family Ritual
ticipate in. Start a Friday movie night. Or choose Sunday for everyone to make dinner together. How about a walk at the park on Saturday?
Eat Dinner as a Family Eating together provides an opportunity for conversation, sharing, connection and simply being together. In fact, kids who eat dinner with their family regularly are at a lower risk for substance use. For more parent and community resources from Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn Coalition, visit www.ashlanddecisions.org.
Save the Date: Pancakes, Mystery and More Saturday, March 5, 8:30 to 11 am, Boy Scout Breakfast Troop 2 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, 40 Summer St. includes
sausage, juice, milk, coffee, and “all-youcan-eat” pancakes. $5, adults; $3, seniors and under 5; children 2 and under, free.
Saturday, March 19 9:30 to 11:30 a.m, Metrowest College and Career Fair, Ashland High
School. The fair will host nearly 100 colleges, universities and gap-year options in our College Fair Exhibit Hall and provide students with an opportunity to engage with professionals from over 50 careers. In addition, speakers will discuss topics, such as the application process, financial aid and SATs. There is no charge to attend the fair. www.mwccf.org. 1 to 4 pm: “It’s a Mystery to Me!” Mystery Authors’ Festival. Local authors discuss their work. Free. Ashland Library, Community Room, 66 Front St. www.artsashland.org, www.friendsoftheapl. com, 508-881-0134. 5 p.m, the Ashland Emergency Fund’s 2nd Annual Auction, American Legion, 40 Summer St. To do-
nate to the auction or for more information, visit www.ashlandemergencyfund. org or email secretary@ashlandemergencyfund.org. Friday, April 1: Ashland Educational Foundation, Inc. Gala at the Sheraton Framingham, www.ashlandeducation.org.
Tw o Pa nc ak e Br ea kf as t s As hl an d Bo y Sc ou ts
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S a tu r d a y March 5tthh 8 :3 0 to 1 1 a .m . A m e r ic a n L e g io n 4 0 S u m m e r S tr e e t A s h la n d
Come enjoy breakfast at our annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Breakfast includes sausage, juice, milk , coffee, and "all-you-can-eat" pancakes. $5 for Adults $3 for Seniors and Und er 5 Children 2 & Under FREE
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
February 2016
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REAL ESTATE Corner Todd Zukowski
at Prospect Mortgage
The Right Move.
Branch Manager NMLS #20384 www.ToddZukowski.com Todd.Zukowski@prospectmtgcom
(508) 543-5281 30 Mechanic Street Foxboro, MA 02035 Branch NMLS #320399 Todd Zukowski has been a strong member of the mortgage industry since 2000. He serves Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire and can originate a variety of loans including: FHA, VA, 203(K), conventional, jumbo, and refinance. He was recently named, in Mortgage Executive Magazine, as one of the Top 1% of Mortgage Originators in the nation for 2014! Todd loves being a Loan Officer because it is a win-win situation for him. He gets to be an instrumental and helpful part of one of the most important transactions in his clients’ lifetime. He truly enjoys his work helping buyers to get a home that they want. He works with a team of local underwriters and closers who are extremely responsive and efficient. He and his team are very enthusiastic about what they do, and they are happy to help clients find a perfect loan for their unique financial situation. He consistently remains in the list of Top 25 Mortgage Originators at Prospect Mortgage, and his dedicated team closes loans within 30 days on average. Headquartered in Sherman Oaks, CA, Prospect Mortgage is one of the largest independent residential retail mortgage lenders in the United States. It is backed by Sterling Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm with approximately $5 billion in assets under management and offices in Chicago, Baltimore and Miami. In 2011, Prospect Mortgage was ranked number 2 on Mortgage –Executive Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America and was a top 10 national home purchase lender in 2012.
What are his clients saying? “Very easy to reach. Responds quickly and does a great job explaining all the details. Has kept process moving forward.” — Garth F., Holliston
“Working with Todd is always a great experience. The process is smooth, clear and expectations are met. Thanks for all of the efforts!” — Aaron B., Hopkinton
“We were kept informed throughout the loan process. Todd made it very easy to get the forms done and into the risk department on time. Adjusted the criteria of the loan to fit our circumstances.” — David L., Raynham
“Todd Zukowski went out of his way to come to my home to retrieve documents from me and to get my signature. He was extremely responsive and made the transaction go very smoothly.” — Beth W., Natick
I am licensed to originate mortgage loans in the following state(s): MA, NH, RI. Loan inquiries and applications in states where I am not licensed will be referred to a Loan Officer who is licensed in the property state. Equal Housing Lender. Prospect Mortgage is located at 15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite D300, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Prospect Mortgage, LLC (NMLS Identifier #3296, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) is a Delaware limited liability company licensed by MA Mortgage Lender/Broker License #MC3296; licensed by the NH Banking Dept.; and licensed by RI Licensed Lender #20021343LL, Loan Broker #20041643LB. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. Rev 4.15.15 (0415-2055) LR 2015-229
508.309.3538 158 Pond Street, Suite A Ashland, MA 01721 OakRealtyMA.com
Recent Sales in Ashland, MA
SINGLE FAMILY SALE PRICE 352 Union St . . . . . . . . $205,000 16 Windsor Dr . . . . . . . $291,000 26 Wayside Ln . . . . . . . $352,000 17 Oak Street . . . . . . . $420,000 28 Rockwood Dr . . . . . $503,000 24 Brogden Rd . . . . . . $685,000
CONDOMINIUMS SALE PRICE 303 Trailside Way . . . . . $217,000 195 Leland Farm Rd . . . $240,000 78 Algonquin Trl . . . . . $262,000 49 E Bluff Rd . . . . . . . . $290,000 331 Captain Eames Cir . . $290,000 31 Arrowhead Cir . . . . . $310,000 186 Algonquin Trl . . . . . $348,500 452 America Blvd . . . . . $377,500
‘Tis the Season Recently we held an Open House on a
cold, wet Sunday afternoon. Sheets of rain pounded the pavement and puddled the roads. The dampness lent a chill to the air and we arrived bundled in thick sweaters, agreeing that most prospective buyers would probably prefer to stay home that afternoon. Except they didn’t. On this particular Sunday, a day when most folks were happily huddled by their fireplaces and flat screen TVs, more than 30 couples braved the weather and came to see if this might be their new home. That cheerful, bustling Open House unexpectedly became a bright spot in an otherwise dreary day. Often, the real estate market focuses on Spring, but there’s no real magic in that season. Why? Because people need to move every month of the year. In fact, listings in what are sometimes considered “off ” seasons have a better, more qualified group of buyers available, because they're not simply browsing the numerous Open Houses. Buyers who are looking for a house in February are shopping because they NEED a new home! And sellers can expect a more competitive price, because fewer homes are available to choose from. At the same time, buyers benefit from avoiding the competition and bidding wars that can result from a busier market — again, many folks who aren't serious, but are willing to move if they stumble on a home that appeals to them. And the extra attention from more relaxed real estate agents, lawyers, inspectors, and lenders is always a plus. So remember us the next time you’re considering braving the cold. You may find a warm respite — and a brand-new place to call home. Log onto our website www.oakrealtyma.com and watch our latest episode of REAL ESTATE 01721, search for a home right away, or create an account to get daily listings. Buying? Selling? Not sure, but need to know more? Call us anytime. We welcome your questions at
508 309 3538 or info@oakrealtyma.com.
Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com
Page 24
February 2016
OPEN HOUSE Friday, February 12th 9:00 – 11:30 am Friday, March 18th 9:00 – 11:30 am Don’t miss this great opportunity to see the classroom
“in action”!
4 & 5 Year Old Kindergarten Elementary Grades 1-5 Before/After School Care Available Advanced Curriculum
Strong Phonics Foundation Facilities with Excellent Security Affordable Tuition
50% Off Application Fee “We have been thrilled with the combination of academics, Christian values, and character training that MCA instills within all its students, specifically our three sons. The concepts they use are easy to understand, and the teachers work with their students towards mastery of the subjects instead of touching on it, then moving on. Thanks to MCA, my children have developed a confidence in themselves and their learning abilities. We are blessed to have a school like MCA where our children can grow academically, spiritually, and emotionally.” – Lorri and John Dudley
Call for information package 508.881.7404
office@mcamwm.org • www.mcamwm.org
350 Pleasant St., Ashland, MA 01721 Convenient access to the Ashland T-Station