No Slowing Down for This Racer

(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 Newsstand: 75 cents No slowing down Conflicting info for this racer from DESE leaves BY GREG VINE COURIER CORRESPONDENT schools frustrated GARDNER — When he moved to Gardner from the Canadian province BY KEITH KENT centile, this year the report of New Brunswick at the age of 21, COURIER CORRESPONDENT says we were dropped to 12 Leonard LeBlanc had no way of know- WINCHENDON — The percentile and told we didn’t ing he would wind up making a living official report discussed at meet target.” in the harness racing business. Some the School Committee last Romano when reading the 45 years ago, LeBlanc fell into racing week is not available to the report, made a very strong almost by accident. general public as yet; but it cased based on the Department A construction worker by trade, has been provided on a pre- of Education’s very own words LeBlanc moved to Gardner when he liminary basis to the schools showing the department and was unable to find work around his involved. Murdock Principal report findings did not add up Canadian home. After a time, he start- Josh Romano addressed to the final evaluation they ed his own business, which he operat- the extremely conflicting provided with the following: ed for about two years. Massachusetts Department English Language Art ‘ELA’ Then it happened. of Education report with the gap narrowing, all students on “I had a friend who had a horse School Committee, which target; high needs, on target. here,” says LeBlanc. “After a while Romano said gave the school Mathematics proficiency he entered her in a claiming race. In “meets” or “exceeded” expec- gap narrowing, all students on a claiming race a horse is for sale up tations in all the categories yet target. until shortly before the race is run. failed to meet its target, and Science proficiency needs Well, somebody claimed her – bought lowered the school’s percentile gap narrowing, all students, her. My friend decided he wanted to average rating. on target, high needs, above get her back but I knew he didn’t have When discussing the report target. the money. I told him ‘I’ll buy half but Romano said, “Today we got ELA growth, all students on you have to train her and race her.’ about as big of a kick in the target, high needs, above tar- So, I wound up owning half a horse teeth as you can get from the get. and it just took off from there.” Department of Education. We Math Growth, all students And at the age of 77, LeBlanc shows got our preliminary account- on target, high needs, on tar- know signs of slowing down. ability data, and I am going get. “I’m going to do it until I’m not able to share the details with you After a brief pause, a very to do it anymore. I’d sell out now if I because when I saw it I was concerned Romano said, was smart,” he says with a wry smile. pretty disappointed. Last year Turn To SCHOOL COMMITTEE “But what would I do? Sit around and Greg Vine photos we were at 17 to the 18th per- page A10 Turn To LEBLANC page A11 The gelding Trigger Finger and Leonard LeBlanc in a moment of bonding. Plans underway to re-dedicate GAR Park BY RICK WARD SPECIAL TO THE COURIER WINCHENDON — The restoration of Winchendon’s Grand Army of the Republic Park is nearing completion. The cannons have been restored, trees planted, gazebo upgrad- ed, crumbling walkways newly paved, and park benches about to be installed. Through the generosity of the Robinson- Broadhurst Foundation, and those who purchased trees, the park, located on Murdock Avenue across from the Old Murdock Senior Center, has a new face. The GAR Park Restoration Committee has set the official dedication ceremony for Sunday, Oct. 2, starting at Greg Vine photos 12:30 p.m. and promises fun for the entire family. There The mural on the wall was painted by the fellow playing the accordian in will be Civil War era music by this segment pictured. It has been in place for decades. Shades of Gray camp band; a wreath laying at the Soldiers’ Monument by American Legion Post 193; musical selec- The Glen Caffe`: tions by the Murdock Glee Club; and, the keynote speech and Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln. Portraying Lincoln will be satisfying appetites Steve Wood, named “Best Lincoln Look-Alike” by New Hampshire Magazine, and featured on television’s for a decade “Chronicle.” If raining, the dedication will be held in the Courtesy photos auditorium of the Old Murdock BY GREG VINE Memorial YMCA), holding COURIER CORRESPONDENT The statues of a Civil War soldier and the cannon are symbolic of the Grand jobs ranging from secretary to Army of the Republic. Turn To GAR page A11 WINCHENDON — This interim executive director.” week, Toy Town’s Glen Caffe` But the restaurant business celebrates 10 years of satisfy- was calling and Morin decid- ing the appetites of customers ed to take the plunge. from near and far. “I’ve always wanted a Rivers Edge expanding hours It was a decade ago that restaurant,” she says. “I love Sally Morin purchased the to cook, eat, and I love peo- BY JERRY CARTON to his culinary roots. the food business is always a building at 63 Glenallan St. ple. I’m always meeting new COURIER CORRESPONDENT “Doing dinners is how it challenge,” said Silver. from the local Veterans of ‘family’ and friends. I used WINCHENDON — Arriving started for me,” Silver recalled. “By the way, we’re going to Foreign Wars post. For about to come here as a kid. They in town almost a year ago to “I didn’t get into the break- be looking for cooks, too,” he two years before Morin moved would rent the place out for serve breakfast and lunch, the fast business until around added. in the VFW had rented the special events. As a matter of Rivers Edge on Spring Street 2009 with the Ugly Omelette” Dinner menus are, of course, site to the Richard Milburn fact, I rented it for my moth- enters a new era a week from in Lunenburg. “Dinners really very different from those for Academy. er’s 60th birthday.” tonight when it opens for din- are my old-school roots.” breakfast and lunch. Evening “I was in the food business Some of the eatery’s custom- ner from 4-8 p.m. on Friday and “People have been asking offerings will include baked in high school and college,” ers are people from around Saturday evenings. me for a while — when are stuffed lobster, prime rib, says Morin. “I was in the food the state coming to visit or It’s a new era for the restau- you going to start doing dinner chicken piccata, pasta prima- trades program at Monty inter loved ones at the nearby so I guess you can say we’re vera, steak tips, chicken broc- rant but not for owner Seth Tech. I also spent 25 years doing it by popular demand. Silver who says he’s returning at the Clark (now the Clark Turn To GLEN CAFFÉ page A11 It’s going to be a challenge but Turn To RIVERS EDGE page A8 LOCAL SPORTS WEEKLY QUOTE A day on the Second year “The man who is swim- ming against the stream farm for middle knows the strength of it.” school football 6 5652510431 2 PAGE 9 - Woodrow Wilson PAGE 8 Friday, September 9, 2016 2 WINCHENDON COURIER Rotary hears details of playground project BY TARA VOCINO slide and climbing structure while par- COURIER CORRESPONDENT ents cleaned the structure to ensure the GARDNER — Two organizers spoke playground was in place for the first to Gardner Rotary Club members day of school on Aug. 29. about the progress of a once-vandal- The town laid new blacktop along the ized community playground at Toy walkway so children could play on the Town Elementary School last week at renovated structure, she said. Williams Restaurant. As of Aug. 30, the parent group raised Parent Renee Tenney-Eldredge rep- about $6,000. resented the Project Playground group As for the staff group, Michel while Pre-K and Alternative Lifelong explained she is involved with play- Learning Director Suzanne Michel ground projects in grades kindergarten represented the Save Our Playground to five. She joked she left teaching and group. went to the dark side when she became Tenney-Eldredge began her presenta- an administrator. tion by explaining with parents’ count- She taught for 18 years and never less volunteer hours, they were able to knew about the vandalism. pull the project together since she and “That goes to show how important her 8-year-old daughter, Madison, went communication is,” Michel said. “It looked fine from far away, but I never before the School Committee on June 16 Mat Plamondon photo about two and a half months ago. got close enough where I could see the “A renewed awareness was estab- damage.” Suzanne Michel makes a presentation to the Rotary Club as Renee Tenney-Eldredge waits her lished via social media with a Facebook She said the damage was so fair turn to speak. page, after my daughter, Madison, beyond repair that there was talk of closing the playground. When she came home from a visit to Toy Town communication in a small community found that out, she sat there appalled Santos. Elementary, her soon-to-be new school,” can do just as much as a big city with a and with her mouth open, thinking of a “They welcomed me graciously,” Tenney-Eldredge said.

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