Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords
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Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.WEBSTERTIMES.NET “The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.” Friday, July 10, 2009 Selectmen CanoeingCanoeing forfor aa causecause Town granted review state $1M for budget street fix-ups PROJECT HOPES TO ATTRACT BUSINESS TO numbers DOWNTOWN BY JOY RICHARD BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER TIMES STAFF WRITER WEBSTER — Thanks to a sagging econ- DUDLEY — The town held a second spe- omy, downtown Webster has taken hit cial Town Meeting Monday,June 22, to deal after hit as of late, leaving officials won- with what was hoped to be the final budget, dering how to get more business into the but it’s the numbers that came from the area. state revealed at a Board of Selectmen’s In response to this problem, meeting Monday, July 6, that could change Transportation Secretary James Aloisi the final budget even further. made his first visit to Webster, Wednesday, The state July 1, for a press conference in regards to Department of Joy Richard photo downtown improvements, joining local Revenue (DOR) Webster resident Peter Natoli sits in the boat that will take him around Webster Lake as he will row for officials Sen. Richard Moore and Rep. Paul revealed its numbers 24 hours to raise money for the Webster-Dudley Food Share Wednesday, July 29. Kujawski in announcing the town of for fiscal year 2010 at Webster would be given $994,415 in grant Monday’s meeting, WEBSTER RESIDENT SETTING SAIL AGAINST HUNGER money. and it contains four The Public Works Economic differences from the Development (PWED) grant is designated BY JOY RICHARD local families afloat. budget as of the spe- TIMES STAFF WRITER to help move along a Main Street lighting cial Town Meeting in For Webster resident Peter Natoli, boat- and intersection improvement project. June. WEBSTER — With the economy still ing and rowing have been a passion he has “Given the very difficult economic con- According to a shaky, local residents and people all around enjoyed for many years. As a resident of Jankowski ditions, it is great to be able to help bring report from Town the country are having a harder time mak- Webster and living within walking distance good news to the people of Webster,” said Administrator Peter ing ends meet, which for some means hav- of the lake, he has been able to row and Moore. “This grant will help provide some Jankowski, the num- ing to rely on food pantries. enjoy his favorite pastime everyday. After short-term job opportunities and long- ber for unrestricted general government In the midst of all these struggles, a working in Auburn and funding the term improvements to public safety in the aid is $1,574,194 as compared to the number Webster man has decided to help that cause Auburn Sportsplex, he has time now to center of Webster.” from the town budget, which is at by raising money for the Webster-Dudley The money is for the completion of the Food Share, which he hopes might keep Turn To CANOE, page A9 Turn To BUDGET, page A9 Turn To GRANT, page A16 Ready to Relay? REVAMPED RELAY FOR LIFE NEARING STRETCH RUN BY TERESA A. FRANCO more cancer education during the event and a NEWS STAFF WRITER competition between a “sister Relay.” Editor’s note: The Auburn News is Formerly known as the Auburn Relay for proud to be the media sponsor for the life, the Central South County Massachusetts Central South County Relay for Life, Relay for Life will also compete with the which will be held in Auburn Friday, Relay for Life event in Monroe, Ill. Both Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12. events are taking place on the same Throughout the summer, the News will day, only the Monroe one is a few feature a series of articles concerning hours shorter. the Relay written by our staff and sub- Central South County Relay for mitted pieces providing a unique glimpse Life co-Chairman Stephen Gallant at the people — and stories — that make the said both events would be broadcast- Relay what it is — one of the most meaningful ed live through Web cams and updates events in the country. would be given throughout the day. “I think it’s going to do very well,” AUBURN — Relay for Life participants have many Gallant said. “Anything that fosters competition is new things to look forward to for this year’s event at going to increase the amount made.” Lemansky Park in Auburn. Gallant said he got the idea from an international New on the agenda for this year’s event, which will Relay for Life Web site. He said he had heard that an be held Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12, is a spot for reflection and prayer on the field, a blanket drive, Turn To RELAY, page A11 Joy Richard photo MAKING A SPLASH Webster resident Gail Paradis poses with her road bike for a photo during a past Pan-Mass Challenge. This year’s event will be held Sunday, Aug. 1, through Monday, Aug. 3. This will be her 21st year riding the race. ‘I do this to challenge myself’ WEBSTER RESIDENT READY FOR PAN-MASS CHALLENGE BY JOY RICHARD the route was much different and TIMES STAFF WRITER there were fewer riders. There are WEBSTER — After more than 20 now around 3,000 people who par- years of inspired riding during ticipate and the routes are much the annual Pan-Mass Challenge, different. I wouldn’t say the routes Webster resident Gail Paradis are easier, but when the ride first says her journey is far from over. began there were many more hills Paradis, a 20-year veteran of the where we started the ride in Pan-Mass Challenge, first became Uxbridge.” a rider in 1987. She took three According to the Pan-Mass years off in between for reason for Challenge Web site, www.pmc.org, her family and because 13 years in the history of the event stems she though she had given all she from a man named Billy Starr who could to the ride . wanted to honor his mother, Betty Shawn Kelley photo “I do this [ride] to challenge WEBSTER — Elijah Ryan, 4, of Douglas, splashes away during his early Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Beach last Friday, myself,” said Paradis in an inter- Turn To PAN-MASS, page A16 July 3. For more photos from the day, turn to page A15! view last week. “In the beginning, Seniors ................. A5 Obituaries ............. B2 LEARNING Learning .............A6-7 Events Calendar ...... B3 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SPORTS Viewpoint ............. A10 Real Estate ........Sect.B Sports ..................A12 Legal Notices ..... Sect.B UNVEILS FITNESS PROJECT PAGE A12 PAGE A6 INDEX 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, July 10, 2009 www.webstertimes.net Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival to celebrate talent and culture ALMANAC WEBSTER — The 7th Annual Blackstone Voice magazine and “bursting with pure and Valley Celtic Festival will be held at Indian natural talent” by www.hotindienews.com, QUOTE OF THE WEEK Ranch on Route 16 in Webster Saturday, July Cady Finlayson offers a spirited Irish music “The Relay For Life is such a 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. show with a global twist. Cady’s music great event because it helps show Hosted by the Blackstone Valley Chamber blends traditional Irish tunes with world of Commerce and presented by UniBank, beat rhythms and American folk, creating a support for so many cancer sur- and media sponsors the Telegram and signature sound that appeal to a variety of vivors, their families, their Gazette, Citadel Broadcasting as well as audiences. friends, and for those who ulti- Atlas Distributors, the festival is the “I love to bring Irish music to people who mately succumbed to the wretched Blackstone Valley’s showcase for Celtic tal- might not normally hear it,” she said. disease … It’s a fantastic fundrais- ent and culture. The Burning Bridget Cleary is also new to ing event because its fun, it brings Two stages of musical entertainment, a the Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival this pub-style venue with plenty of Celtic food year. Burning Bridget Cleary took form on people together, and it’s for such a and drink, a Celtic Village offering specialty St. Patty’s day of 2006 when Genevieve great cause. It seems like everyone merchandise and a Celtic Kids Pavilion all Gillespie joined forces with the father- knows someone who is battling round out a day of headlining talent, deli- daughter duo, Lou and Rose Baldino. The cancer or has battled it.” cious food and lots of fun. combination sparks a blaze of Celtic sound “The Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival has that is perceived way beyond the sum of its - Former Stonebridge Press staff become a tradition that attracts tourists to parts! the Valley and delights the locals as well.” In addition, you will also hear Coyote Run. writer and cancer survivor Shaun said Jeannie Hebert, president of the Originally formed in 1999, Coyote Run has Moriarty, of Southbridge, comment- Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. changed significantly from its Celtic Folk ing on the American Cancer Society’s “It is a celebration of all things Celtic and roots, evolving into one of the hottest bands Courtesy photo Relay for Life. The Central South the Valley.” Suzette Raun, president of on the Celtic Rock circuit today. Blending County Relay for Life is coming to Indian Ranch said, “It is one of our largest traditional tunes with rich, literate lyrics, Charlie Zahm plays at last year’s Blackstone Valley attended and most anticipated events of the compelling melodies and rock, jazz and fla- Celtic Festival at Indian Ranch.