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Milford TOWN CRIER Vol. 6 No. 3 Your Hometown Newspaper Since 2007 September 28, 2012 Draper Monument Re-Dedicated On hand for the celebration, were the Board of Selectmen, Parks Director Michael Bresciani, Park Commissioner Art Morin, Veterans’ Agent John Pilla, Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay and local historian Paul Curran. Several members of the Draper family were on hand to pay tribute to their ancestor, including Draper’s great-great-grandson, George Draper and his wife, Charlotte from Maine; Rawley Draper, another great-great-grandson, from Atlanta; and Bill and Nancy Gannon, of Hopedale. Musical selections were provided by the Milford High School Band, Milford Community Chorus and a fi fe and drum corps shared their rendition of popular Civil War era tunes. Donna Hassler, Director of the Chesterwood Summer Th e monument to General William F. Draper Home and Studio, in Stockbridge, which once belonged located in Draper Memorial Park Milford A photo from the original dedication of the monument to General William F. Draper on September 25, 1912. Contributed photo to French, spoke about the artist and the history of the was rededicated on September 23. of the monument. “I’m honored to be a part of this re- dedication ceremony of the ... equestrian monument By Michael McInnis On Sunday, September 23, 2012, citizens and dignitaries by Daniel Chester French and his friend, the architect, Staff Reporter gathered in Draper Park for a re-dedication of the statue, Henry Bacon, who designed the landscape in Draper Th e statue of General William F. Draper, located in the park which Chairman of the Milford Selectmen, Brian Murray, Park, as well as the pedestal.” she said. that also bears his name, has been a fi xture in the community called “a national treasure”. Local historian, Daniel Malloy, himself, supplied a of Milford for 100 years. Designed by noted sculptor, Daniel “Proud, tall and strong,” Murray said, “It has watched brief history of the General who was born in Lowell Chester French and his friend, Henry Bacon, the monument, over this town for over 100 years. It is indeed a symbol of in 1843 and 10 years later relocated with his family to which depicts the General in his Civil War uniform, riding the character of our community, which has triumphed over Hopedale. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, his trusty mount, was unveiled some two years aft er Draper’s adversity from time and circumstance, to remain the bustling death on September 25, 1912. community that it is today.” Continued on page 16 Bob Johnson Named Patriots in Milford “Plains Man of the Year” By Kevin Rudden Staff Reporter/Columnist He says that he doesn’t deserve or want the honor, but nonetheless, Robert Johnson – secretary of the Plains Association for more than two decades – was named the 2012 “Man of the Year” at the 31st Annual Plains Association Reunion dinner held on Septem- ber 16 at the Italian American Veterans Post. A re- tired AT&T supervisor, most people in town know Johnson as the ticket-taker at the American Legion Junior Baseball games for the past 35 years. Bob Johnson “He’s the secretary. He does more than anyone else,” Association President Louis Bertonazzi said af- ter Johnson was selected out of the dinner audience for his honor. Th e Plains Association members celebrate their life growing up in the area of Milford below the former railroad tracks – now the Upper Charles River Trail – on the streets along Main St. and East Main St. (Route 16) out to its intersection with Medway Road (Route 109), that was primarily settled by Italian-Americans from the 1890s through World War II. Before Johnson’s selection was announced, Bertonazzi led attendees New England Patriots Defensive End Ron Brace was all smiles as he helped members of the through their traditional Mass, breakfast at the Italian Vets, and rededica- Greenleaf Garden Club plant some fall perennials at the Milford Town Library and Draper tion of the Plains Monument on East Main St. Th ere, association member Joseph DiAntonio reminisced about life in the Plains. “Th e Plains was a self- Memorial Park in Milford on Tuesday, September 25. Th e appearance by Brace was part contained neighborhood. We had everything here,” he said. “No matter what of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism we needed, it was here for us to enjoy.” initiative. Th rough the initiative, the Kraft family and the Foundation honor the late Myra DiAntonio listed the various schools; local markets; milkmen; granite Kraft ’s lifetime commitment to philanthropy and charitable service. Th e Greenleaf Garden companies; gambling joints, bars and speakeasies; gas stations; shoe repair Club helps beautify Milford each year with downtown plantings. Pictured standing with shops; doctors and dentists; drug stores; barber shops; ponds for ice skating Brace at a War Memorial in Draper Memorial Park are members of the Garden Club, and fi shing; “ledge holes” at quarries for swimming; playgrounds and ball fi elds; hills for sledding; local musicians; bakeries; social clubs; meat wag- l-r: Pat Lee, Maria O’Regan, Jean DeLuzio, Chair of the Downtown Planting Committee ons; laundries; undertakers; hot dog and hamburger stands; and, coil and oil Grace Lavallee, Club President Karen O’Brien, Sandra Tosches, Nancy Ahrens and Carol companies that were in the area. Gregoire. Harry Plactow photo During the annual dinner, DiAntonio also provided his usual round of jokes, and Selectmen Chairman Brian Murray – the featured speaker – rem- inisced about various audience members. Town Crier Publications Advertiser’s Club Directory ......................3 Government ...........................................15-17 48 Mechanic Street Advertiser’s Club Introduces ...................5 Home Improvement ..................................12 Upton, MA 01568 Business & Real Estate .............................21 Milford Library ...............................................8 Classified Ads ...............................................19 Ruminations by Kevin Rudden ................2 POSTAL PATRON ECRWSS Community Calendar.............................. 6-8 School News ............................................................9-11- MILFORD, MA 01757 Dining Guide .................................................13 Sports & Sports Flash by Chris Vilanni..13-15 WHAT’S INSIDE WHAT’S Page 2 The Milford Town Crier SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 Ruminations By Kevin Rudden, Town Crier Columnist It’s the fi rst week of August and I’m sitting in a damp, requests to spend money on items such as $480,000 for musty room under the dining hall at Camp Resolute in replacing the windows at Town Hall, $385,000 for a new Bolton. I’m doing what I do every year on this week: roof at the Police Station, $550,000 for a new fi re engine, volunteering to teach Boy Scouts working towards their and $1.8 million to restore Milford Pond. Eagle Scout rank a few of their “required” merit badges. Town departments can ask for the money, but the Th is one is called, “Citizenship in the Nation.” Finance Committee and town fi nancial offi cials will Any $50 Boutique Purchase I go around the room, asking each boy to answer the examine the requests thoroughly to make sure they are $ 1 per customer. Not to be combined with any following question: “How much money did President needed and then recommend if and how they should other offer. Full price product only. Obama spend on his stimulus plan?” I hear various be paid for. Th en, the elected Town Meeting Members 10off Expires 10/31/12 amounts, but no one gets it right. Th at’s because the – acting on behalf of all voters – will make the decisions. answer is “zero.” Obama didn’t spend the money; It’s not “the town” or “the selectmen” that are approving REDEEM THIS AD FOR Congress did. this spending. Your elected Town Meeting Members are. 1 FREE WORKOUT AND I just illustrated the separation of powers between Enough of the civics lesson! I’ll also note that while FITNESS CONSULTATION the executive branch and the legislative to the Scouts. everybody wants their roads and bridges kept in good First time customers only.only. Not to be combined with Curiously, most adult voters would make the same working order, few of us like to sit in the traffi c jams anyany other offer. Expires 10/31/12 mistake the boys did. Th e truth is, the president can created while they are being repaired. An obvious case propose a spending bill, but it’s Congress that can dispose in point is the ongoing federal-stimulus-dollar-project 206 East Main St. Milford by voting to pass or not pass it. How many of us will keep on Main St. 508-488-6567 | aayoufitnesstyle.com that in mind over the next few weeks as we listen to the While I confess being tremendously confused by the facebook.com/allaboutyoustyleboutique seemingly never-ending barrage of political ads? sequence of how and when various parts of the overall In other words, blame Congress for the defi cit. So, project are being done, the Water St. to Jeff erson St. part remember that you have choices in November: Scott that is done sure looks nice and rides even nicer. Brown or Elizabeth Warren for Senate and Sean Bielat or I know, everyone’s complaining about the new layout Joseph Kennedy for House of Representatives. of turns, etc. But, when you take the federal government’s AAAA LimousineLimousine & CCharterharter SServiceervice Th e idea of a “separation of powers” carries down to the money, you have to follow its rules for turning radii, local government level. For example, Milford is holding a width of roads versus number of lanes you can have, and Special Town Meeting on October 22. Th e Town Meeting area needed for handicapped accessibility. 20122012 FALLFALL TRIPSTRIPS Members (the local equivalent of Congress) will consider 56 Passenger Luxury Charter Coach TheThe BBIGIG E ~ Sept.