TOWN CRIER MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS DECEMBER 13, 2013 | VOL. 7 NO. 11 | TOWNCRIER.US | EST. 2007 Upton’s First Night, Something for Everyone By Michelle Sanford over come out to enjoy the fun. the theme of the evening is experience and enjoy. “We’re Staff Reporter/Columnist First Night festivities will take “Bringing Community Together very excited about this,” she said. Upton is planning to ring in place throughout town on New Th rough the Love of Arts.” “People from around here have 2014 with style and organizers of Year’s Eve beginning at 5 p.m. and And that’s just what First Night some great talent.” the town’s very fi rst First Night lasting until midnight. Organizer Sharon Bliss, and her Bliss had the idea for First are hoping residents from all Promoting local artist’s talent, committee, are hoping attendees FIRST NIGHT p 5 Tree of Life Honors Those During the Touched by Cancer Holidays We Honoring those who lives have been touched by cancer, Milford Regional Remember Medical Center’s Tree of Life event raised thousands of dollars to benefi t the Th ose Who Oliva Fund for Cancer Care. Held on the evening of December 9, the annual gathering celebrates life and is a tribute for those who have survived cancer, who Sacrifi ced have battled the disease or who have been touched by cancer. Th e Oliva Fund for Cancer Care assists oncology patients purchase items to help make their lives more comfortable during their treatment at the Medical Center and Cancer Center. Cancer patient Gina Oliva Tarolli, whose family established the fund, had the honor of lighting the Medical Center Christmas Tree. Each candle on the tree, which is on the hospital front lawn, is a symbol honoring or remembering a loved one aff ected by cancer. Th e tree will remain lit during the holiday season as a reminder of hope in the fi ght against cancer. Decorations for the Tree of Life event included luminaries and lit angels that were given to honor or memorialize those touched by cancer. “Th is evening’s event is an opportunity for our community to celebrate life, It was fi tting that a member of the Oliva family, Gina Oliva Tarolli, both for those who may have lost their battle with cancer and those who are a cancer patient, lit the Milford Regional Medical Center Tree of Life currently dealing with it,” said Frank Saba, Milford Regional CEO. “We’re so honoring and memorializing those touched by the disease. Th e family grateful to have this partnership with the Dana-Farber and the Brigham and to has established the Oliva Fund for Cancer Care, which assists oncology have such dedicated and caring physicians and staff working with us to help our patients purchase items to make their lives more comfortable during patients.” treatment at the hospital. Donations from the tree lighting benefi t the Acknowledging the contributions of the Oliva family, especially the establish- fund. Oliva is shown here on the left with her parents Mary and Babe ment of the Fund for Cancer Care, he added “Babe and Mary, you who have Oliva. Jane Bigda photo TREE LIGHTING p 2 One Little Girl Makes Sure Her Sister’s Based on the national Wreaths Across America, which brings ECRWSS Memory Lives On volunteers and families across By Melissa Orff the country to decorate veterans’ Staff Reporter graves for the holidays, Sen. A seven-year-old Milford girl honored the Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge memory of her older sister while helping held his third annual Wreaths to make the wishes of another child come Across the Worcester & Norfolk true by raising funds for the My One Wish District. Th e fi rst wreath laying Foundation of Milford. ceremony took place in Milford Th is past July, Hannah Murphy asked on December 6 at the Doughboy her parents if she could have a lemonade Seven-year-old Hannah Murphy (left ) from Milford and her cousin Statue in Calzone Park on stand in her driveway to sell lemonade and Natalie Garland set up a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Main St. Additional ceremonies goodies. Hannah’s mom Elisa Murphy said My One Wish Foundation in memory of Hannah’s sister Rachel. were held on December 12 at that when they asked her what she wanted Murphy family photo the Hopedale Village Cemetery to do with the money, Hannah did not War Memorial and the family said, without the ability some of her favorite memories of Mendon Veterans Memorial hesitate. “She wanted to raise the money for to communicate. “She was such her sister were when they went My One Wish because they helped Rachel,” at the “During this season of a happy kid, and she let you bowling together. giving, we should remember said Murphy. know when she was happy about Because of Rachel’s condition, POSTAL PATRON POSTAL MA 01757 MILFORD, our veterans who gave us the Rachel is Hannah’s older sister, who passed something and when she wasn’t,” the My One Wish Foundation away unexpectedly in October of 2012 at the greatest gift of all: freedom. said Murphy. When talking planned to grant the family’s Th e ‘Wreaths Across America’ age of 13. Rachel was born with Heterotaxy about her sister, Hannah quickly wish of a trip to Disney World. syndrome, a rare birth defect that involves program is an excellent pointed out that one of Rachel’s My One Wish grants wishes to opportunity for each of us to the heart and other organs. Aft er multiple favorite things in the world was children with life-threatening surgeries as a baby and toddler, Rachel was honor our deceased veterans,” Hannah herself, but admitted illnesses; wishes such as trips, said Moore. Town Crier Publications Town Street 48 Mechanic MA 01568 Upton, left unable to walk or talk and experienced she also loved snuggling and Harry Platcow photo multiple seizures every day; but not as her Mexican food. Hannah said that MAKING MEMORIES p 2 st Buttons can be purchased for $10.00 Adults, December 31 , 2013 5pm - Midnight THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: $5.00 Children (5th grade and under), in person at: t Blackstone Valley High School t V Organic Cafe t Nipmuc High School t A Little Common Sense t The Rose Garden t Shear Excitement t United Parish of Upton and online at: www.firstnightupton.org www.massculturalcouncil.org $15.00 Adult and $10.00 Children, at the door (food costs are extra) www.firstnightupton.org or Call 774-287-7388 for more Information Local Food Pantries Looking for Donations After Holiday Season Too Happy Holidays By Michelle Sanford people just can’t get ahead. Th ey really want to m all of u Staff Reporter/Columnist work but can only get part time work because Fro s at Each year around the holidays, Food Pantry companies don’t want to pay them benefi ts,” volunteers welcome with open arms bags full she said. of donations from very giving residents. “Th is Still, as the holidays are approaching, food time of the year we receive a lot of donations, pantries are gearing up to serve traditional which is wonderful,” said Upton’s United Par- holiday meals thanks to all those recent dona- ish Food Pantry Coordinator Amy Griswold. tions. Th e Mendon Food Pantry is preparing Promo code: TC1213 code: Promo Mendon Food Pantry Coordinator Carol ham and turkey dinners with all the fi xings Kotros agrees. “People are very generous this while Upton’s United Parish Food Pantry is Providing Comfort for the Holidays and all Year Round. time of year and it’s great they think of us.” she preparing their dinner baskets with turkeys said. “Right now, we’re pretty well stocked.” and all the sides. And Milford is giving out g Automatic Oil & Propane Delivery Still need a gift idea? However, once the holidays are over, many hams and turkeys. g Heating System Installation & Service food pantries fi nd that keeping shelves stocked Mendon’s Food Pantry is located at the for the rest of the year can prove to be diffi cult, Senior Center on Providence St. and is open g Oil to Propane Fuel Conversions particularly as the weather get warmer. “Th e the fi rst Monday of each month or by appoint- g 24-7 Emergency Service minute school gets out, food pantry fundrais- ment. Donations can be dropped off any time ing decreases dramatically,” said Griswold. at a drop box located outside in the rear of the 508-533-6561 • www.medwayoilpropane.com • 800-649-5949 Milford’s Daily Bread Food Pantry Manager parking lot adjacent to the garage or during Cheryl DeAngelo says families can gets very Senior Center regular hours Monday through busy during the summer months. “It’s not that Th ursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more infor- people aren’t considerate, it’s just that families mation or to inquire what donations are most have things going on in the summer. But it’s needed call 508-478-6175. important to remember that hunger doesn’t go Upton’s Food Pantry is open the second on vacation.” and fourth Tuesday of the month from 9:30 Kotros has been overseeing Mendon’s Food to 11 a.m. in the lower level of United Parish Pantry for fi ve years and has seen its clientele located at One Central Square. Donations can change and grow over the years. She said due be made during Parish offi ce hours Tuesday to federal cuts in the food stamp program through Friday from 9 a.m.