Mailed free to requesting homes in Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales Vol. 3, No. 25 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STURBRIDGEVILLAGER.NET ‘Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.’ Friday, June 19, 2009 Liquor permits suspended STURBRIDGE POLICE CONDUCT STINGS BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY tive, working with the Police in the past. Xtra-Mart’s last viola- VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Department, successfully pur- tion took place in 2000, leading STURBRIDGE — As a result of chased a six-pack of beer. Selectmen to decide on a one-day alcohol compliance checks conduct- Attorney Donald O’Neil, repre- suspension of their liquor license ed by the Sturbridge Police senting Xtra-Mart, explained that rather than the seven to 14 days they Department earlier this year, the on the particular evening of the could have ruled according to town Board of Selectmen doled out a sting, the tape inside the cash regis- bylaws. handful of suspensions to three dif- ter jammed and a large line was Village Mobil also had previous ferent establishments in town. beginning to form in the store, over- infractions on record, the most Chief Thomas Ford joined the whelming the clerk. recent of which occurring in 1998. A board during the public hearings “It’s not an excuse, it shouldn’t two-day suspension was given in portion of the Monday, June 15 have happened, but that explains, I that case. Selectmen’s meeting concerning guess, why it happened,” O’Neil Despite the longer lapse of time infractions at Heritage Xtra-Mart, said. between violations, Mobil’s clerk, Empire Village and Village Mobil. When looking at the past record of who had previously received a com- Ford first explained that the inci- that particular establishment, it — mendation from Ford for having dent at the Xtra-Mart occurred in like the others in question Monday passed a similar check in the past, March, when an underage opera- night — had passed similar checks Turn To STING, page A9 Economy fizzles Hangin’ area fireworks out to OSV EXPECTS music STRONG FOR TICKET SALES YOUNGSTERS, FOR DISPLAY DANCES OFFER A CHANCE TO BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER SOCIALIZE The traditional sounds of fire- works will thunder through two area towns this year, but probably BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL not in Southbridge. STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER An annual Southbridge Fourth STURBRIDGE — Bette of July fireworks show most likely Midler, the Beach Boys and will not be held this year, accord- File photos, Shawn Kelley Bobby Freeman all asked, “Do ing to former Town Councilor Again this year OSV plans to reopen the you wanna dance?” Ronald J. Chernisky, who chairs a village grounds for an evening of special They might not have found the private fireworks committee that events capped off by fireworks. answer they expected at last organized last year’s show. Municipal displays are being dowsed by Friday night’s junior high dance “The fireworks, at this point, are a tough economy. at the Sturbridge Federated not going to happen this year. We Church. don’t have the money,” he said. “Sales are going quickly. People With few students actually The annual fireworks display in had a great time last year,” she busting a move, the dance was Sturbridge, however, is set to occur said. actually a social gathering of this year, while the fate of a At OSV, Independence Day fea- sorts, with friends and class- Charlton show is still uncertain. tures a full day of traditional early- Ryan Grannan-Doll photo mates giggling, talking and play- ing games. Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is American celebrations, with the Sturbridge resident Joe Wellwood challenges a friend to a bit of air guitar hero at Some kids danced during the scheduled to hold its show on village closing at 5 p.m. Gates re- one of the regular Friday night junior high dances held at the Sturbridge Federated Independence Day this year, open at 6 p.m. for the evening pro- Church. Turn To DANCE, A9 according to OSV Spokesman Ann page Lindblad. Turn To FIREWORKS, page A9 A new venture for Team Hoyt BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY there is around,” said Dick Hoyt, Road Race in August. Training VILLAGER STAFF WRITER who officially purchased the was temporarily put on hold HOLLAND — Dick and Rick establishment on Wednesday. though, so Dick could finalize have done it all: completed more Hoyt and his son Rick have been arrangements at the restaurant, than 1,000 different races, were competing in triathlons and other which for him, is a plan for the honored as Centennial Heroes at types of races all around the world future. the 100th running of the Boston since 1977, and in the last 32 years Hoyt explained that nearing Marathon, and became the first have fostered one of the most retirement, he began looking at father-son team recognized in the inspirational stories in sports his- his options, admitting that his Ironman Hall of Fame. They have tory. first thought of buying Fenders published books, DVDs, and are Living with cerebral palsy as a was to build condos on the proper- regulars on the motivational result of complications during ty. Instead, Hoyt decided to keep speaking circuit. birth, Rick Hoyt is wheelchair the establishment as a restaurant, The next venture for the world bound, though his competitive and hired a manager with 23 famous Team Hoyt: restaurateurs. spirit knows no limits. Using a years’ experience in the food serv- The former Fenders Drive-In on specially designed chair — and a ice business to captain the ship Mashapaug Road in Holland, raft with a harness for the swim- until he is ready to step in full reopens as Team Hoyt’s Finish ming legs of triathlons — the time. Line this month, offering up a Hoyts combine their strengths to “I want it for like three or four Courtesy photo healthy menu of all-American compete as a team. years down the road,” Hoyt said, fare. The next big race on Team explaining that he still maintains Rick Hoyt, left, and his father, Dick, outside the new sign at the former Fenders “We get the best quality food Hoyt’s horizon is the Falmouth Drive-In. The Hoyt’s eatery will feature a healthy menu of all-American fare. Turn To HOYT, page A9 ALMANAC ..............2 SPORTS VILLAGER TRIVIA POLICE LOGS ..........5 LOCAL If you were called a “grunt,” DRAFTED BY in which war were you a sol- OPINION ................8 EMMY AWARD RED SOX dier? OBITUARIES ..........13 Answer inside. PAGE 2 PAGE 14 INSIDE SPORTS ..........14-15 2 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, June 19, 2009 And the Emmy goes to … VILLAGER ALMANAC Area resident lauded for TV news graphics QUOTATION OF THE WEEK BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY and he helped set up the Web site at St. Mary’s VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Church when he was in high school,” Wedge SOUTHBRIDGE — Timothy Allard, a life- boasted. long resident of Southbridge, was recently Allard said it wasn’t until the latter half of awarded an Emmy for his work in interactive his time at Southbridge High School, where media. he graduated from in 2003, that he really knew Allard received his award at the 32nd what he wanted to do with his life. Boston/New England Emmy Awards on Torn between interactive media and 3D ani- Saturday, May 30, at a reception at the Boston mation for movies, Allard said his choice OPEN TO CLOSE Marriot Copley Place. became clear during a graphic design class at HOLLAND: 413-245-7108 The Outstanding Advanced Media- the high school. Mon – Thurs 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Interactivity award was presented by the Taking what he learned there to the New 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Boston/New England chapter of the National England Institute of Art, Allard graduated in Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in interactive FISKDALE: 508-347-6486 and was given to Allard for a flash game he media and design. Weekdays 9:00-4:30 and Sat. 9:00 -12:00 designed and created for the WBZ TV The project for which Allard was recog- STURBRIDGE 508-347-6463 Morning Show’s Web site, nized is an interactive game based around the Weekdays 8:30 – 5:00 and Sat. 9:00 -12:00 www.wbztv.com/mornings. Massachusetts Sacred Cod, where players “It was such a fun night,” Allard said of the have to locate 23 Boston landmarks on a scroll- BRIMFIELD: 413-245-3451 award banquet. “I hadn’t been to anything ing cityscape. Locating the mystery 24th land- Weekdays: 9:00 – 4:30 and Sat. 9:00 -12:00 like that before.” mark makes participants eligible to win WBZ WALES: 413-245-9808 Allard said he was nervous leading up to the merchandise. Weekdays 8:30 – 12:30 and 2:00 – 4:30 and announcement of the award, but once he “This is part of the Morning Show cam- Sat. 9:00 – 12:00 heard his name, he was a cool customer. paign,” Allard said. “We wanted to create a “I was a lot more calm than I thought I’d fun way of expanding the Morning Show REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS be,” Allard said. “As soon as they called my brand.” name, everyone from the station just stood up The backgrounds for the game, all designed STURBRIDGE and cheered for me.” and created by Allard, were also used in pro- By the end of the evening, Allard said the motional spots for the WBZ Morning Show.