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Hanna 284 Main St., Spencer, MA 01562 Conveniently Located On Route 9 • (Corner of Greenville St. & Main St.) www.idealprotein.com 284 Main St., Spencer 508-885-5511 Mailed free to requesting homes in East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer Vol. XXXVI, No. 43 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.SPENCERNEWLEADER.COM Friday, October 16, 2015 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE Madden honored by state on her 101st birthday “Many of life’s fail- DURANT, BERTHIAUME VISIT SPENCER’S ures are people who did not realize how ELDEST RESIDENT close they were to suc- BY KEVIN FLANDERS lifelong Spencer resident was also given cess when they gave NEWS STAFF WRITER a proclamation drafted by Gov. Charlie up.” SPENCER — Mary Madden turned 101 Baker to honor the occasion of her birth- last month, but she is showing no signs day. Not only has Madden lived in the Thomas A. Edison of slowing down. In fact, Spencer’s eldest same town her entire life, but she has resident is getting ready for a busy holi- resided in the same house for all 101 EDITOR’S day season. years, serving as an inspiration to many Last Monday, Madden sat down with generations. OFFICE HOURS Spencer State Rep. Donald Berthiaume For Berthiaume and Durant, it was an MONDAYS 12-5 and Rep. Peter Durant to chat about honor to present Madden with the flag. A former principal at Lake Street School, WEDNESDAYS 1-5 Kevin Flanders photo upcoming events — but not before the officials surprised her with a few gifts for Madden was given an additional flag from Mary Madden shows Rep. Peter Durant, left, and Rep. FRIDAYS 1-5 the century-plus-one celebration. that building a few years back and is now Donald Berthiaume a few of her photo albums and gifts Berthiaume and Durant presented a amassing quite the collection of honorary from her 101st birthday. The officials presented Madden flag to Madden that was flown over the with a flag that was flown over the State House on her State House on her birthday, Sept. 18. The INSIDE birthday. Turn To MADDEN, page A14 Obituaries .................B2 Our Towns ................B4 Calendar...................B5 Voters to Classroom Corner ....... A FALL Viewpoint .............. A8-9 Police Logs............. A17 have say FLAVORS Sports ...............A10-13 LOCAL on library Kevin Flanders photo BROOKFIELD — Showcasing the work of over 70 local crafters and art- project ists, the 37th Apple Country Fair was held on the Town BY KEVIN FLANDERS Common last Saturday, Oct. NEWS STAFF WRITER 10. The event featured plen- LEICESTER — At an Oct. ty of fall flavors for guests, 20 Special Town Meeting, res- including pies and of course idents will weigh in on the pumpkins. Pictured, from left, library renovation project. Owen Aubin, 6, Noah Aubin, The renovation and expan- 9, and Jonathan Landry, 9, sion effort will cost $8.9 million, represent Brookfield Cub Cocker earns rec- the majority of which has been Scout Pack 159. For more pho- ognition in schol- whittled down by a capital cam- tos, turn to page A9! arship program paign and various grants and community contributions. The Page A3 remaining $1.9 is expected to be requested as a debt exclusion. LEARNING Initially designed to serve a town with 1,000 residents, Apple Festival coming this weekend the current space is not ade- quate to handle the needs of BY KEVIN FLANDERS ities like sand art, face painting, Mothers’ Club. a town whose population has NEWS STAFF WRITER crafts, games, and RC car racing. Though the club began sev- reached 11,000, library offi- LEICESTER — Mother knows A 50/50 raffle will take place, eral decades ago as a group of cials said. Lack of handi- best, especially when it comes to and members of the Leicester Leicester mothers striving to capped access, limited parking raising money each year for the Fire Department will be on hand raise funds for an annual class and other issues have led to town’s schools. as well. trip to Old Sturbridge Village, it a strong push for renovation. The Leicester Mothers’ Club, All proceeds from the event now draws people from through- Currently, patrons who cannot in conjunction with Leicester will be distributed to the out the community, including climb stairs have no access to Public Schools, will hold the Leicester Public Schools by the fathers, grandparents, and resi- the majority of the building, annual Apple Festival tomor- Mothers’ Club to support educa- dents looking to lend a helping and wheelchair access is only row, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 tional programs. hand. The name of the club has A profession of available in the basement level p.m., at Leicester High School “This is a great community become too iconic in town to (children’s room). Library offi- nobility (174 Paxton St.). event. We are always trying to change, but members want peo- cials are eager to see the day In addition to offering apples, get the word out on what we do ple to know that they welcome Page A5 when all guests have full access dumplings, apple pies and and how important it is to the refreshments, the event will schools,” said Eileen Boisvert, Turn To LIBRARY, page A14 Turn To APPLE FEST, page A14 include several children’s activ- the vice president of Leicester GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION – 3 BUSINESSES – ONE LOCATION! Saturday, October 24 • 10am-3pm REFRESHMENTS • CAR SHOW • AUTO FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Your One-Stop Auto Shop! 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Outraged after Veterans and Federal Affairs, argue, by providing housing er of improving programs and current public housing regula- learning about these policies, Berthiaume received strong to those without a place to live opportunities for veterans. The tions that enable illegal immi- Berthiaume (R-Spencer) filed a bipartisan support from sever- after sneaking into the coun- joint committee will continue grants to be chosen over veter- bill intended to ensure that no al elected officials. Cosponsors try. to deliberate on his bill at a ans in certain instances. veteran looking for housing is endorsing the bill include Supporters of the bill com- later date, with several options Republican Minority Leader mend Berthiaume for his con- on the table. Bradley Jones, Jr., Democratic tinuing advocacy for veterans. Additional cosponsors for Senator Michael Moore, “We do a good job in the Berthiaume’s bill include and 6th Worcester District Commonwealth of helping our Representative Kevin Kuros Republican Rep. Peter Durant, veterans, and this bill extends (8th Worcester District), also of Spencer. that,” Durant said. “This is all Representative Joseph “If even one veteran isn’t about setting priorities and McKenna (18th Worcester able to get housing because an making sure our veterans are District), and Democratic illegal immigrant got it, that first in line. Donnie has been Representative Joseph is one too many and reason doing a great job, and the com- McGonagle Jr. (28th Middlesex enough for this legislation,” mittee gives him a good oppor- District). 8x7-9x7 Steel Liftmaster 1/2 hp said Berthiaume, who served tunity to help advance these Many officials said the bill 2 Sided Insulated Chain Drive in the U.S. Navy for six years. causes.” helps bring needed attention to Garage Door Comprised of many other Berthiaume has been encour- a national discussion on what veterans, the joint committee aged by the strong backing of can be done to address illegal r-value 9.65 Inc, standard hardware & 7ft Opener track, 8 color & 3 panel design options has shown strong support for his bill, not only at the State immigration and make sure $270 the bill.