Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. VI, No. 26 Complimentary to homes by request Friday, April 25, 2014 ONLINE: WWW.BLACKSTONEVALLEYTRIBUNE.COM THIS WEEK’S QUOTE Rams charge through Bartlett AFTER SLOW START, NORTHBRIDGE “The secret of SOFTBALL ON A ROLL being boring is to say BY JON GOUIN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT everything.” NORTHBRIDGE — “I think we’re definitely head- ed in the right direction,” Voltaire said Northbridge High head softball coach Chris Reding following his team’s most recent victory, a 14-2, six-in- INSIDE ning mercy-rule shortened affair versus Bartlett High A2-3— LOCAL on April 19. The Rams (3-5), who had A4-5— OPINION started the year 1-5, won A6— SENIOR SCENE their second game in as many days with the victory A8— OBITUARIES over a young Indians squad, A11-12 — SPORTS who with the defeat fell to 1-7 on the season. A7 — CALENDAR “I think beating Millbury Jon Gouin photos Courtesy photo B4— REAL ESTATE was huge, it really gave Northbridge starter Julia Faire throws a pitch during the Rams’ 14-2 Local musicians Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards, pictured them a lot of confidence, B5 — LEGALS victory over Bartlett last Saturday, April 19. here, will be performing after the annual Webster/Dudley Earth Day especially at the plate,” said Clean Up event at the Webster Town Hall. Reding of his Rams, who they pounced on a fielding ter, cleanup hitter Amanda pounded out 14 runs on 14 mistake in the top half of the Collins (1 for 3), sliced a sin- LOCAL hits against Bartlett starter first inning. Alena Gatchell, gle to left to bring her home Lucy Orne. Orne didn’t have who reached base three with the game’s first run. Singing for her best stuff, but managed times on errors, got on with Northbridge starter Julia to strike out five in her 6 1/3 two outs in the opening half Faire — who was outstand- innings. inning on a misplayed fly ing on the day — struck out mother Earth It might be surprising to ball to center field. Madison Johns to end the note that the Indians drew Gatchell quickly stole second and the next bat- first blood in the game as Please Read RAMS, page A11 LOCAL MUSICIANS TO PERFORM FOR RESIDENTS DURING EARTH DAY FESTIVITIES WELCOME TO THE STATE HOUSE BY JOY RICHARD they were thrilled to be STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER in the area for the annual WEBSTER — Planning Webster/Dudley Earth Day music to congratulate Clean Up event that will be Legislators the masses, local folk duo held on Saturday, April 26, Mandeville and Richards at Webster Town Hall. The welcomes stu- are getting ready to perform Webster event will start at dents to Student after a local Earth Day clean 8 a.m., and end at 2 p.m., at Government Day up. 350 Main St., and in Dudley For singers, songwrit- the clean up will begin at 9 Page A3 ers and musicians Mark a.m., and end at 12 p.m., at Mandeville and Raianne 71 West Main St. Electronic Richards, giving back to recycling will be available LEARNING local communities through during the event at reduced their music is not only a rates. The day will be Courtesy photo part of their mission as an sponsored by the Webster- BOSTON — Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Rep. Kevin J. Kuros, act, but a passion that drives Dudley Business Alliance R-Uxbridge, welcomed Allie Wojnowski (center) and Alex Teare (right), along with them to continue to perform. and several other, area cor- Social Studies teacher Lauren Bouchard (left), of Uxbridge High School to the State Based in Webster and porations. House for the 67th annual Student Government Day. For more, turn to page A3! Uxbridge, the pair said Mandeville and Richards, during an interview on Monday, April 21, that Please Read EARTH DAY, page A15 Dinner and DHS Announces March Students of the Month a (murder) show Page A10 ‘DOO WOP MURDER MYSTERY’ TO BENEFIT SPORTS RELAY FOR LIFE BY AMANDA COLLINS Stageloft Repertory STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER Theater who are putting on the show. They’ll scour SOUTHBRIDGE — evidence and interview A hot dinner and a suspects to answer the cold-hearted crime will question of the night — both be served up at a who done it? Relay for Life fundraiser The “Doo Wop Murder that promises to be a kill- Mystery” will bring er time. attendees back to the time In between dinner of poodle skirts, slicked and dancing, guests at hair and leather jack- the “Doo Wop Murder ets, and feature music Amanda Collins photo Tigers’ baseball Mystery” will witness the from the 50’s and 60’s. “murder” of one seven Stageloft Repertory Theater owner and artistic director Ed Cornely with Relay for Life’s Lucille rolls Whitinsville actors from Sturbridge’s Please Read DINNER, page A15 Ravenelle. The two groups are teaming up for one killer fundraiser. Christian in five innings, 17-1 Page A12 Radiothon nets $30K and counting for local food pantries OPINION FUNDRAISER CONTINUES TRADITION OF COMMUNITY GIVING GET YOUR BY AMANDA COLLINS were dropped off all day and only, is “a true bless- you I could possibly give Thursday, one of the busi- STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER POINT ACROSS long. ing.” them.” est grocery shopping days SOUTHBRIDGE — While The Food Share “That number ‘3’ at the In addition to the money of the year, and volun- PAGE A4 inside the WESO station Radiothon, a tradition that beginning is a wonderful donated on Thursday, teers stationed throughout Thursday, April 17, radio marked 35 years last week, number,” he said of what of which $908 will benefit the day at Big Bunny in announcers and special netted $30,217 in one day, was raised. “It puts us in Food Share’s Webster loca- Southbridge and Park and Contact the guests spoke over the 970 but that number is expected an area where I’m not ner- tion and the remainder will Shop in Dudley amassed Tribune editor AM airwaves for 12 straight to climb over the next few vous about what’s going to support the Elm Street food five vans full of food. hours, outside in the park- weeks as donations contin- happen over the next six to pantry, Fournier said anoth- The event kicked off at aminor@ ing lot, Food Share volun- ue to trickle in. President eight months. To everyone er 3,000 pounds of food was bright early at 6 a.m., when stonebridgepress.com teers collected food and Ray Fournier said the fund- who helped in any way, I collected. The Radiothon monetary donations that raiser, the Food Share’s one give them the largest thank is held every year on Holy Please Read RADIOTHON, page A15 2 • Friday, April 25, 2014 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE Northbridge SOS changes name, asserts mission NORTHBRIDGE — After a unanimous behind. We have long been able to make do is increasing and this affects the ability of ride did not pass. show of support from the Board of Selectmen with less, and make cuts where we can. We those departments to properly provide for “The next generation is at stake and the and Finance Committee, supporters of cannot do this any longer, as there is no fat their own citizens. A successful override growth of this town is as well,” said Denault. Ballot Question 1 have come together.A left to trim, the gap is too large. This short- will give us the ability to continue to give She wants residents to understand that Northbridge SOS, formerly standing for fall will have devastating effects on our our neighbors and friends the type of ser- “everyone is affected when an override does “Support Our Schools,” has changed its property values and quality of life if some- vice they deserve.” not pass, not just the students, as most peo- name to Northbridge Support Our Services thing is not done. Northbridge will have a It is not just parents and fire department ple presume.” (SOS) to emphasize their support for all ser- choice to come together as a community families that are reaching out to support Northbridge SOS is currently working vices on the ballot. Members of this commit- and I am confident the people will stand up SOS. Residents of all ages, employments to educate the town with flyers and phone tee are spreading the message of voting for for our town.” and incomes have stepped forward, lend- calls, and will soon be posting signs around one town, showing unified support for both Northbridge Fire Chief Gary Nestor ing their support, advice and experienc- town so that residents can show their sup- the fire department and the public schools. believes a successful override will benefit es. Many graduates that grew up in the port. All members of the community are Selectmen, the town manager and the all town departments. Northbridge Publics School system when welcome to a Town Hall-style meeting on chairman of the Finance Committee have “The citizens of Northbridge deserve to the last override failed, have come forward Wednesday, April 30, at the Northbridge urged all residents of Northbridge to sup- have the best school system and public urging the town to avoid the problems that Middle School at 6 p.m., featuring a panel port the override, as it is a town issue, not safety organizations available,” said Nestor. they lived through. including the Northbridge town manager, just a school issue. “The firefighters and EMTs are dedicated to Sarah Denault, Northbridge High School fire chief, superintendent and more.