(978) 297-0050 • www.winchendoncourier.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 Newsstand: 75 cents Holiday-themed buildings Forte forever BY SETH SIGNA of many at SPECIAL TO THE COURIER Murdock. WINCHENDON — Jackie The day featured on WHS tour Skawski, Murdock High marked an end School class of 2014, remem- to Forte’s 34 bers the time she made Steve year teaching Forte cry. career, during She said she made him cry which he not once when she was talking only taught to him about all the uncer- multiple lev- tainties that come with senior els of history, Steve Forte year, and the future, and plan- current events, ning life. and political courses, but also At the time she was a lot coached football, baseball, and more emotional about all of it basketball. and she started to cry a little, Throughout his long career, and after he started to cry a he had a lasting impact on little. many of his students. “It was so nice. It showed “There is a lot more to Forte how much he cared. I kind of than the stories. He is very knew already, since I knew helpful in a lot of different him through my sister, but it aspects of life, not just good just really reinforced it,” said at teaching history,” said Skawski. Skawski. In many cases in students’ Marcus Allen, class of lives teachers can be a hit or 2015, said, “Forte is a part of a miss. Murdock. The school is so Oftentimes the teacher may small it is a family.” Mat Plamondon photos be just that, a teacher of one He has been more to stu- dents than just a history Ashlyn Musgrove age 9 marvels at the Darling house’ Christmas tree particular subject. However, once in a while teacher or a current events BY APRIL GOODWIN year’s Holiday Home Tour presented by the there is one who breaks that and politics teacher, he has COURIER CORRESPONDENT Winchendon Historical Society. mold. Murdock High School been a friend. WINCHENDON — Ornate furnishings, Each stop along the tour gave delightful students had the experience “A special kind of outlet warm fires, and elegantly decorated trees wel- insight into the rich history of the town. to have one such star teach for many people,” as Robert comed and astounded guests as they walked Gorgeous decorations, chandeliers, and furni- them. Pesce, class of 2015, put it. through room after room of beauty and sophis- ture transported guests into a different era as Come Dec. 18, when stu- Students were asked what tication. The picturesque scene was not some- the hosts, homeowners, and historians gladly dents and faculty head home their first impressions of thing out of a storybook; rather it was the explained the story behind their particular for their holiday break, Forte Forte were. Answers ranged historical homes of Winchendon offering a piece of history. will not be among the facul- from, “He seemed really Turn To FORTE A12 peak into the grace of days past during this ty returning, to the dismay page Turn To TOUR page A9 Honoring veterans at holidays as part of national tradition BY APRIL GOODWIN continues to follow the mission it to grow and get the youth COURIER CORRESPONDENT to Remember, Honor, Teach involved.” WINCHENDON — Beginning while expanding to involve On Friday Dec. 11, children in 2007, Winchendon honored more of the community every from schools in Winchendon its veterans with its first cer- year. and of the nearby community emony for Wreaths Across “This event is very mean- placed wreaths at the graves America, a national event ingful for the community as of more than 3,000 veterans at dedicated to remembering and a whole,” explained Bridget the Massachusetts Veterans Mat Plamondon photos honoring fallen heroes. Eight Marinelli, who coordinat- Memorial Cemetery. The cere- Paige Lafrennie, age 12, and Shaina Thompson, age 11, hang their orna- years later, this annual tradi- ed this year’s event for the mony for this prestigious event ments on the tree at the youth center. tion of dedication and integrity first time. “The goal is to get was held the following morn- ing above the rows of graves now adorned with wreaths. Fundraising begins at the Meowy Christmas end of October in order to host the Wreaths Across America ceremony each year. Various from Better Tomorrow community service groups, churches, grants, and so on BY APRIL GOODWIN with the shelter and youth cen- come together to raise money COURIER CORRESPONDENT ter. Every Saturday, the shelter for this significant event. Fire WINCHENDON — Even the hosts crafts, games, and other and Iron station 857 raised most furry enjoy a bit of holiday activities for young volunteers $2,000 through a veteran fun this time of year, and the to enjoy. memorial ride, while Knight adults at A Better Tomorrow “First the kids volunteer on of the Inferno raised $2,800 Shelter for Cats, with help from the cat shelter side, then they through a golf tournament. Bethany Bible Chapel co-spon- get to go over to the youth cen- The Robinson-Broadhurst sored an afternoon of orna- ter and have some more fun,” Foundation generously grant- ment making recently at the shelter director Sarah Fearing ed $1,000 to the cause, and the shelter on Central Street; much explained with a smile. “They remaining costs were covered to the amusement of the feline all really enjoy helping out.” thanks to various other donors. population in attendance. The Bethany Bible Chapel “We are so grateful for every- A Better Tomorrow Shelter of Winchendon and their one’s generous donations – this for Cats has been helping Beautiful You youth min- year and every year,” Marinelli the local feline community istry hosted the week’s holi- said sincerely. find loving homes since 2012. day-themed event. This is the Mat Plamondon photos Wreaths Across America is In addition to being a volun- first year they have hosted the John H. Farmer Sr. places a wreath as his granddaughter Leona M. Farmer teer-run organization that ornament making and they age 9 watches. Turn To WREATHS page A9 rehouses stray and abandoned hope to make it an annual cats in the area, the shelter is event in the future, especial- also known for hosting various ly given this year’s successful activities for the youth of the turnout. community. Haddad named permanently Children of WINCHENDON — While staff, teachers, and parents to “I don’t think we could find all ages came to Steve Haddad has been at the create an overview for a super- a better choice,” said Janet spend the after- helm of the public schools for intendent’s review of Haddad’s Corbosiero. noon making several months now, it was work. Each committee mem- Haddad thanked the mem- ornaments and a relief to have the School ber turned in their prelimi- bers emotionally, and later have a good Committee confirm his nary evaluations to Chairman said, “while I’m still a bit over- time with their appointment as full superin- Dawn Harris, who will com- whelmed by the good remarks, friends and tendent pending negotiation of pile the results into a summary I am ready to really get to work. family. While a contract at last week’s meet- report to be presented at a later I have a lot of ideas and we there were ing. date. have such good people. It will many new- Haddad was praised by But based on the verbal be a challenge in some areas, comers to the shelter, many members of the committee, results of each member, the but we are on the right track.” Alex Lafrennie age 16, Paige Lafrennie age 12, Jocelyn who each had conducted inter- vote to instate Haddad perma- of the children were familiar Hunnewell age 11, and Reghan Hunewell make orna- views on their own with school nently was unanimous. Turn To HADDAD page A9 ments. LOCAL SPORTS WEEKLY QUOTE Helping out “The trees that are Black bear harvested in the babies in slow to grow bear the Athol just shy of a record foster care best fruit.” PAGE 8 6 5652510431 2 PAGE 2 Moliere Friday, December 25, 2015 2 WINCHENDON COURIER Helping out the babies in foster care FITCHBURG — As part of families. their curriculum on the care Boudreau said she was over- of infants, seniors in Karla whelmed by the tremendous Boudreau’s early childhood support the class received from education program at Monty students, teachers and staff. Tech recently sponsored a “There is a huge need for baby shower for infants in fos- basic items, such diapers, for- ter care. The students planned mula and clothing for infants all aspects of the shower, entering foster care. I was including collecting donations, overwhelmed by the generosi- designing and distributing fly- ty of our faculty and staff. We ers, ordering refreshments, received so many donations of organizing a raffle and shop- essential baby items and cash. ping for the baby items. The cosmetology program A representative from the donated two beautiful gift bas- state Department of Children kets for our raffle. Other pro- and Families attended the grams also made donations. event and talked to the stu- It really was a school-wide dents about the urgent and effort,” she added. on-going need for essentials for Seniors Amy Capone of babies entering the foster care Ashby and Leah Wallace of system. Gardner, spearheaded the “In most cases, infants enter- drive. ing foster care need immediate “It felt very good to be able to care, and foster parents do not help people who really need it, necessarily have the neces- especially babies,” said Amy.