Our Lady of the Angels School 1220 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603 (508)752-5609 Since 1947 Pre- K Open House June 6, 2015- 10am -12pm Success starts here Offering Full and Part-time enrollment for boys and girls ages 3 and 4. The School provides the foundation for early learners to explore, create, express, and have fun within a loving and secure educational environment Fully accredited by the New England Association of School and Colleges. “The greatest gift you can give your child” Learn more at www.ourladyoftheangels.us Mailed free to requesting homes in Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales Vol. VIII, No. 22 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STURBRIDGEVILLAGER.NET Friday, May 29, 2015 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE A TRIBUTE TO HEROES \“We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it.” Thomas Jefferson EDITOR’S OFFICE HOURS MONDAYS 12-5 WEDNESDAYS 1-5 FRIDAYS 1-5 The Sturbridge Colonial Militia, Revolutionary War actors, pose in front of the Sturbridge INSIDE Safety Complex, one of the stops the parade made. ALMANAC ....................2 OBITUARIES ............... 14 OPINION ................... 10 CALENDAR ................ 14 Olivia Richman photos SPORTS ............... 16-17 Emily and Patrick, 2, Mullen and Laura Hayden cheer on the parade as it came LOCAL down Main Street STURBIRDGE — Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, veterans, the Fire Department and the town’s Colonial Militia all marched throughout Sturbridge on Monday, May 25 to commemorate Memorial Day and remember all of the veterans who put their lives on the line to serve A flag waved for Prisoners of War aimed to remind everyone of the POWs and veterans who are still MIA. their country. The Honorary Parade Marshal was resident Roland “Rollie” Hewitt, a World War II veteran and survivor of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. For more photos, turn to page A8! What to expect when you’re expecting Page A4 Keep your eye on the road LEARNING SIMULATOR DRIVES HOME MESSAGE OF SAFE NAVIGATION BY OLIVIA RICHMAN NEWS STAFF WRITER STURBRIDGE — The Sturbridge Police Department partnered with McGrath Insurance to bring “Distractology 101” to the Sturbridge Public Safety Complex from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 22, sponsored Worcester author by the Arbella Insurance visits library to Group. discuss new book Distractology is a driv- ing simulator that allows Page A3 young drivers — and people of all ages — to go through different comput- SPORTS er-generated scenarios. The distractions the Olivia Richman photos drivers face range from hidden hazards to trucks Tantasqua student Daimon Breckterfield said that peo- coming towards you to ple his age face many distractions while driving, from allow new drivers to test dancing to music to texting to having friends cut your their response times and hair while driving. “I told them to cut it out,” he said. give them an idea of how Many younger drivers may not understand the impor- alert to be. tance of being aware on the road, said Distractology “It helps open their Trainer Nick Prpich. Olivia Richman photos World War II veteran Keith Krewson led the Memorial Turn To SIMULATOR A12 page Day program, honoring veterans, POW and the men and First for Grafton, women, especially during World War II, who went into Tantasqua takes factories to help the United States win the war. second in SWCL boys’ track Senior center gets fresh championship Page A16 coat of paint Veterans saluted OPINION BY OLIVIA RICHMAN different local painting nights, painting over NEWS STAFF WRITER companies in hopes of the “dowdy” peach walls at Overlook GET YOUR STURBRIDGE — giving the Senior Center with moonlight white POINT ACROSS Senior Center Director an upgraded, up-to-date and a rich, chocolate BY OLIVIA RICHMAN events in their commu- NEWS STAFF WRITER PAGE A10 Melissa Beauchemin paint job. When Wong brown. nity. has a to-do list of things called Justin Manbeck, “The thing that amazed CHARLTON — The Past American Legion that need to be updated owner of Straight Edge me,” said Beauchemin, Charlton American Commander Keith POLICE LOGS or fixed that the budget Painting, he told her not “is that when I thought Legion Post 391 held a Krewson has been the won’t be able to cover. to call anybody else. it looked done Justin Memorial Day Program individual organizing PAGE A5 With spring in the air “Without even batting said to me, ‘Oh no. I have at the Overlook Masonic this Memorial Day ser- it was finally time to an eyelash he said he’d to double check to make Home Retirement vice, as well as other give the Senior Center a do it for us,” said Wong. sure it’s perfect.’ For a Center on Wednesday, Memorial Day cele- brighter, more welcom- “It was unbelievable. We free job and him being May 20, to celebrate and brations put on by the ing appearance. were so shocked.” a 30-year-old guy … He remember veterans that American Legion. He Outreach Coordinator Manbeck and his is an incredible, meticu- may not have the abili- said that many of the Leslie Wong knew of the employee, Mike Fusco, lous worker.” ty to attend parades and to-do list and called three volunteered for three Turn To CENTER page A12 other Memorial Day Turn To VETERANS page A18 2 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, May 29, 2015 Council: ‘No confidence’ in School Committee LETTER DETAILS SEVERAL PERCEIVED PROBLEMS WITH BOARD BY OLIVIA RICHMAN with the School Committee, School Committee detailing say, and do what’s right.” rewarding supporters with NEWS STAFF WRITER the Town Council voted on the reasons the majority of The letter of no confidence positions and promotions,” SOUTHBRIDGE — After Monday, May 18 to send a let- the Town Council no longer stated that the Town Council is said Moriarty. “There have 15 or so years of frustration ter of “no confidence” to the has confidence in the School often left in the dark and denied been allegations of School Committee’s ability to lead the opportunity to engage in Committee and Central Office from the role its members were constructive dialogue. It goes staff punishing those who elected to perform. on to state that town council- spoke out against them.” A copy of the letter was sent ors and the interim town man- One major incident was the to the Southbridge News on ager have offered assistance alleged threats then-Interim Wednesday morning, May 20. and suggestions over the years Superintendent Patricia E. “In my mind, this is a uni- which were met with “indiffer- Gardner made to her some of fied statement that status quo ence at best.” her subordinates in late 2014, has no place in terms of pol- The letter also mentions following an incident in which itics and games,” said Town “repeated political favors and Gardner allegedly placed Council Chairman Shaun gamesmanship” as well as blame for an error she had 8x7-9x7 Steel Liftmaster 1/2 hp Moriarty. “We need to get out “retaliatory actions against made on another staff member. 2 Sided Insulated Chain Drive of our own way in terms of faculty, administration and Moriarty was not able to speak Garage Door those politics and do what’s officials.” Moriarty explained of this incident, but did note r-value 9.65 Inc, standard hardware & 7ft Opener right for the students and the that there have been a num- she had only been in that posi- track, 8 color & 3 panel design options district as a whole. The ball ber of incidents where political tion for a few months. $270 is in their court. They’re the games were played, sometimes “We haven’t had a perma- inc Installation $570 ones that have the ability to with the intent to harm and nent superintendent for three inc Installation price matching available on all written quotes make these actions. It’s our other times for personal gain. years,” he continued. “To date, hope that they consider what “There have been alle- they have done nothing other the parents, citizens, faculty gations of favoritism by than talk about doing a search. and elective leadership have to School Committee members They’ve not even begun the process. While nobody has questioned the abilities of the acting superintendent, Sheryl Rom’s Stanton, I’ve heard from the general public that there (Pizza Wednesday) should still be a fair and open Buckets Every Day search process. If Stanton is the best out there she would 508-347-1440 rise to the top of the pack.” According to the letter We Cater! of no confidence, the School Committee is currently engaged in consideration of a Fax 508-347-1441 “radical restructuring of the Tele 508-347-1440 Turn To COMMITTEE page A19 Fix Your Kitten or Puppy For ONLY $20 PRECIOUS…NOT PARENTS JUNE ONLY Call 508-637-1333 www.secondchanceanimals.org Must mention this ad when making appointment. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW - LIMITED AVAILABILITY Puppy or kitten must be under 6 months of age. YOUR PET CAN SAFELY BE FIXED AS EARLY AS 8 WEEKS OF AGE VILLAGER ALMANAC QUOTATION OF THE WEEK “Every serviceman and woman here in the United States has went through various conflicts with that question of ‘Why am I here when all of these nice people aren’t?’ Every vet- eran has asked that question. There’s never been a satisfactory answer.” - Charlton American Legion Post 391 Past Commander Keith Krewson, com- menting on the difficulties of serving in the military. OPEN TO CLOSE HOLLAND: 413-245-7108 TheHeartOfMassachusetts.com Mon – Thurs 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.