Joanne POWELL VOTE NOVEMBER 6 CLERK OF COURTS Paid for by the Committee to Elect Joanne Powell Free by request to residents of East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, October 26, 2018 Bad weather doesn’t stop dedicated walkers BY KEVIN FLANDERS Brookfield became the latest community on a long NEWS STAFF WRITER list to take a stand against hunger. Organizer Peggy BROOKFIELD — Hoping to help hungry families Sullivan was praised for her efforts in launching the one step at a time, residents from throughout the event and uniting the community in a common cause. area took part in the town’s first annual Crop Hunger “She deserves all the credit for putting this togeth- Walk. er,” said Selectman Clarence Snyder. “Food insecu- Residents gathered outside Brookfield rity is a big issue in this area, and this event brings Congregational Church on Oct. 13, ready to brave awareness of the support needed for the food pantry.” a cold, drizzly day in support of those in need. The Funds raised during the Crop Hunger Walk will Crop Hunger Walk is a national series of walks meant assist the local food pantry. For many families and to raise money and build community solidarity. seniors, the holiday and winter seasons are espe- Organized by the Church World Service in 1969, the cially difficult and the food pantry’s resources are Kevin Flanders photo. program has expanded to every state in the country, strained. Seniors are often forced to choose between with over 2,000 communities taking part each year. heating their homes, paying for medications, and Even a cold, rainy day can’t stop residents from participating Annually, Crop Hunger Walks across the U.S. in the Crop Hunger Walk. combine to raise over $9 million. Earlier this month, Turn To HUNGER WALK, page A10 Sugden block New picnic area may see created thanks development to Eagle project BY KEVIN FLANDERS BY KEVIN FLANDERS NEWS STAFF WRITER NEWS STAFF WRITER SPENCER – Selectmen learned more LEICESTER – After extensive planning and build- last week about a proposal that could ing, an Eagle Scout’s project culminated earlier this save the historic Sugden Block build- month with a community reveal day. ing and transform the downtown cor- Jacob Stolberg became the latest member of Troop ridor. 123 to earn the Eagle badge. With help from his troop, During a presentation at the Board’s family members, and the community, he built and Oct. 15 meeting, selectmen were intro- installed five picnic tables at Rochdale Park. One duced to the Mexicali Mexican Grill’s of the tables is handicapped accessible to allow all Kevin Flanders photo. proposal for a $3 million renovation patrons and their families to have an improved expe- and expansion project. Officials from rience at the park. Troop 123 member Jacob Stolberg recently celebrated the completion Braven, LLC, the property developer of his Eagle Scout project with friends, family, and town leaders. Turn To EAGLE, A17 that would manage the project, were on page hand to answer questions. Expected to take about two years to complete, the project would renovate the entire building and reconfigure it Transportation plans need input into a multi-use facility. Approximately Please join us to provide input on funds. Please visit our website at www. 10,000 square feet of retail space would your transportation priorities and CMRPC invites decision makers, cmrpc.org/mobility2040. Here you can occupy the first floor, while the second projects at one of the public meetings stakeholders, and members of the gen- learn more about the plan, watch a and third floors would be converted listed below. These meetings will help eral public to attend a meeting to dis- video, take our online survey, check into one-bedroom residential rental finalize and recommend the transpor- cuss “Mobility2040 – The Update for the events calendar along with other units for senior living. tation investment priorities for cen- 2020” – the Long Range Transportation information materials. Among the highlights of the propos- tral Massachusetts over the next 20 Plan for the central Massachusetts Your comments can help CMRPC’s al is the expansion of Mexicali Grill, years. Central Massachusetts Regional region. CMRPC is seeking feedback planners to develop a wide-ranging, which would be renovated to include Planning Commission is undertak- on transportation major infrastruc- action-oriented transportation plan. an outdoor seating section. Mexicali ing this effort on behalf of the Central ture projects, initiatives and policies. The “Mobility2040 – The Update for Mexican Grill oversees the operations Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Transportation priorities such as con- 2020” plan being developed also will of the Spencer restaurant and others Organization. The CMMPO, comprised gestion, freight, transit, roadway main- serve as a basis for allocating limit- throughout the area. of locally-elected and state officials, tenance, bicycle and pedestrian, and ed federal money aimed at roadways, For selectmen and residents alike, sets regional transportation policy and other transportation modes will also be bridges, and public transportation determines where to allocate federal discussed at the meeting. Turn To SUGDEN, page A17 Turn To TRANSPORTATION, page A13 Art Guild highlights local artists BY KEVIN FLANDERS tinguished careers in the arts. Blouin specializes in NEWS STAFF WRITER painting, while Cascio instructs photography locally SPENCER — In a celebration of local artists and and also takes pictures for area publications. their creations, the Massasoit Art Guild once again In addition to the awards, the two-day event on held its annual show and sale at Town Hall. Oct. 13-14 also included live music, a meet-and-greet The 15th annual program featured several artists session with artists, and many other activities. For from throughout the area, each specializing in differ- Massasoit Art Guild leaders, the program is a fun way ent mediums. From photography to acrylic painting, to celebrate art and also connect residents with local the event offers an eclectic lineup of art on display artists. Pieces are available for sale each year to aug- from guild members. ment artists’ efforts to promote their work. As always, exhibits were judged by category and art- “We had a lot of experimental art on display this Kevin Flanders photo. ists earned awards. This year’s judges included Gerard year, with plenty of abstract and mixed media. It Paxton’s Ann McDougle shows off her photography during Blouin and Jack Cascio, who have each enjoyed dis- Turn To MCDOUGLE, page A12 the 15th annual Massasoit Art Guild show at Spencer Town Hall. Writing workshop planned at Salem Cross Inn BY KEVIN FLANDERS answers. ing authentic dialogue, and sustaining Elbow and The Long Journey Home, NEWS STAFF WRITER Local award-winning author Ed a reader’s interest. among others. “The workshop is geared WEST BROOKFIELD – Are you an Londergan will hold his third annu- The workshop is open to writers of all toward anyone who wants to write and aspiring author who wants to learn al writing and publishing workshop ages and ability levels. Past workshops does not know where to start. It is more about the process of querying a on Sunday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to have been attended by people of widely also great for more experienced writers literary agent? Or maybe you’ve writ- 2:30 p.m. at the Salem Cross Inn. The varying experience levels, from mid- seeking information on the publishing ten the majority of a manuscript but workshop will cover the entire writing dle school and high school students to process.” need a few tips on how to overcome late- and publishing process, including the retirees interested in writing memoirs Whether you’ve been writing for stage writer’s block. No matter what development of ideas, story structure, for their families. years or you just got started on your questions you’re facing, an upcom- the establishment of atmosphere and “Everyone has a story to tell,” said ing writer’s workshop will have the setting, character development, creat- Londergan, who authored The Devil’s Turn To WORKSHOP, page A17 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, October 26, 2018 October 31 presentation Frank Morrill will be sign- ing his newly published book: Spencer ibrary You are invited to our Halloween Through Time. Books will be available L party! Come costumed, or not; eat for purchase. snacks; play games; and make a craft! Corner Imagination Station for grades K-5 meets from 4:00-4:45 pm. PROGRAMS November 1 Checkout the library website: www. Richard Sugden Library the Department of Early Education and SpencerPublicLibrary.org for informa- 8 Pleasant Street Care. Community Connections hosts tion on free programs for children, teen (508) 885-7513 Read, Build, Play, a STEM program and adults. Come read and cool off in spencerpubliclibrary.org Teen Mania meets on Mondays from for infants-age 5 from 10:00-11:00 am. the air-conditioned library as well as 3:30-4:30 pm for anyone in grades 6-9. These free programs are provided by a enter raffles, and have fun with us! Open Monday and Thursday 10 a.m.-7 Come play games, face challenges, be grant through the Department of Early p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 creative and inventive, and join in gen- Education and Care. The Library also has discount passes p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. eral silliness! Halloween Party! Wear to the Worcester Ecotarium, Worcester costumes (or not), eat snacks, play Take Another Look: Spencer Through Art Museum, Old Sturbridge Village, Wednesdays games, and make a craft. Time! Adults and teens are invited to join Tower Hill Botanical Garden, and free us as Frank Morrill shares more stories parking passes to Massachusetts State Pause! Learn about & practice mind- October 30 and pictures of Spencer’s wonderful Parks.