Mailed free to requesting homes in Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales Vol. 2, No. 45 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STURBRIDGEVILLAGER.NET ‘Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.’ Friday, November 7, 2008 Goal is ItIt allall comescomes downdown toto thethe votersvoters reached OBAMA EDGES MCCAIN IN AREA SCHOOLS BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY NEWS STAFF WRITER t is never too early to begin learning the value of fulfilling by REAS Ione’s civic obligation. Many local schools have taken the time leading up to today’s his- torical presidential election — CONCERNS SEEN between major party candidates Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, as ABOUT INCREASE well as Chuck Baldwin of the EDITOR’S NOTE Constitution Party, Libertarian IN DEMAND Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney of the Because of the Sturbridge Green Party, and Independent Villager’s press deadline, Ralph Nader — to teach students results from Tuesday’s state and BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY about the voting process and the presidential elections could not NEWS STAFF WRITER importance of participating in it. be included in this week’s issue. STURBRIDGE — The Residential “As a student, you can’t not know Updates will be available on our Energy Assistance for Seniors about the election,” said Burgess Web site, www.theheartofmass- (REAS) Foundation has reached its Elementary School principal achusetts.com. goal, and then some. Daniel Carlson. “Constable” Heath makes sure fifth grader Harrison Desforges properly casts his That may not be enough however. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Burgess vote in the old fashioned counting box courtesy of the town of Sturbridge. In a letter to the Southbridge Elementary in Sturbridge was actual polling place,” said librarian Evening News Monday, Oct. 27, transformed into a polling station, Sarah Swift, coordinator of the son,” Swift added, saying that any before the final tally was taken, as Executive Director of the REAS for students to cast their ballots in election project along with a com- students absent that day were given Foundation, Thomas Creamer wrote, the 2008 election. mittee of Burgess teachers. an absentee ballot the following day Turn To SCHOOLS, page A11 “Three weeks shy of our Nov. 15 “We’ve set this up just like an “We’re doing this as a civics les- so they could cast their votes fundraising deadline, the communi- ty of Sturbridge residents and busi- nesses have passed the $20,000 goal by three percent, with donations still coming in and yet to be tabulated.” On Saturday Oct. 18, at the annual Politics too hot for workplace talk? BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY The lack of political conversa- NEWS STAFF WRITERS tion is not due to any policy or busi- Starring down the barrel of a ness directive, but is simply by presidential election unlike any product of a remodeling process at other in United States history, the establishment, keeping employ- against the backdrop of war and a ees too busy to discuss personal failing economy, emotions are run- beliefs. ning high among people of every “We really don’t have much time political background. to really communicate,” Martel Refer: With cannonballs of accusations said. claiming racism, sexism, ageism The manager of a local video See related story, Page A-6 and lying being fired across the store said that establishment does bows of Republican candidate Sen. not promote political discussions at John McCain of Arizona and work, because it, “makes for an Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Sturbridge Harvest Festival, unhealthy work environment if Obama of Illinois, for many people, Creamer said that whereas the you all have different opinions.” it is becoming increasingly diffi- organization has received an over- Barack Obama John McCain Not directly ordered to refrain cult to remain silent during conver- whelming amount of support from from political topics, the manager sations on such volatile topics. about their political beliefs at work, were discussing the possible out- members in the community,the need said, “It’s just something that does- But it is such discussion appro- and virtually none of them allowed comes of the ballot questions, for additional support is becoming n’t necessarily come up … priate in the work place? such conversations to become heat- specifically Question 2, which nei- apparent. Sometimes politics need to be left at The Southbridge Evening News ed at their place of employment. ther of them believe will pass. “We’re going to have to make every home.” visited a number of local business- Nick Letour, manager of a “When the country gets screwed effort to increase our amount,” Jason Galvan, manager of an es to see what kind of political Southbridge hardware store, said up, I can say I voted for the other Creamer said. auto parts store, said the he and his issues, if any, are being talked he and employee Ace Fontaine dis- guy,” Letour said jokingly. The purpose of the REAS employees are aware of how explo- about at work. cuss the election pretty freely, but “[Conversations] never get loud,” Foundation is to provide heating sive political gab can become, and The majority of people who con- only with one another. Fontaine said. “It’s all fun talk real- assistance to Sturbridge seniors with are encouraged to not engage in it tributed comments to this survey “We try to stay away from it with ly.” funds generated solely through dona- with customers who come into the did so under the provision of customers,” Letour said. “I don’t Lenny Martel, an employee at a tions from area residents and busi- store and work their views into anonymity. even bother talking about it with retail electronics store, said that nesses. whatever conversation is happen- Although every person spoken to them.” while he and his coworkers may Following the inception of the ing. had their own, often strong, opin- Fontaine, an Obama supporter, have differing opinions on the can- foundation, a $20,000 goal was set and “We’re conscious of it,” Galvan ions on a variety of campaign top- said that conversations between didates, it is not something that achieved through two efforts: the 10k said. “We keep our politics out of ics, only about 10 percent of those him and Letour usually find their comes into play while at work. Circle of Friends, which raised way back to his presidential pick. “Not here. We really haven’t interviewed said they openly spoke Turn To POLITICS, A11 $10,000 through 100 $10 donations Last Friday however, the two talked about it,” Martel said. page and the 10k Circle of Businesses, which also raised $10,000 through commercial donations. “This is nothing short of amazing on the one hand, yet predictable on RENT staged at Tantasqua the other,” Creamer said in his letter. “Amazing, in that a group of resi- dents with little experience in a proj- Musical, three Drama Desk Awards, ect of this undertaking were able to ROCK VERSION OF three Obie Awards, the Outer so quickly and efficiently establish Critics Circle Award for Best Off- an organization to address the issue LABOHEME AN Broadway Musical, the Drama of energy assistance for seniors. League Award for Best Musical, and Predictable in that the amazing com- EDGY SELECTION a Theatre World Award. munity we live in is one in which fel- Following the 2005 cinematic BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY lowship is the foundation of our NEWS STAFF WRITER release of the play, performance daily lives.” rights were granted for productions STURBRIDGE — The students of After meeting and surpassing that of “Rent” in high schools. Rights Tantasqua Regional Senior High goal, Creamer said that the volume of have not yet been granted for com- School will be staging the critically requests the organization has munity theatre troupes to produce acclaimed show “Rent” in already received from residents has the play, a traveling show continues Sturbridge this November. been so great that the foundation is touring the United States. The provocative musical that fol- going to set another benchmark for The version of the “Rent” script lows a struggling filmmaker and his itself to reach in order to help as presented to schools had to be slight- friends and acquaintances through many neighbors as possible. ly modified in order to make the a year of loss and self discovery, “We don’t want to be in the situa- story that features a variety of dif- garnered massive appeal upon its tion where someone comes to us for ferent lifestyles, appropriate for a debut in 1996 when it won a Pulitzer help and we can’t help them,” school-age audience. Prize for Drama, as well as four Tony Awards, the New York Drama Turn To FUNDRAISING, A11 page Von Bleicken gives his actors some dramatic instruction. Critic’s Circle Award for Best Turn To RENT, page A11 ALMANAC ..............2 LOCAL POLICE LOGS ..........5 SPORTS VILLAGER TRIVIA OBITUARIES ............7 HOMEOWNERS What was the name Richard CROSS COUNTRY OPINION ..............10 HAVE OPTIONS Nixon’s dog? CALENDAR ...........14 PAGE 17 Answer inside. PAGE 4 INSIDE SPORTS ..........16-17 2 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, November 7, 2008 BRIMFIELD SENIOR CENTER LISTS NOVEMBER EVENTS VILLAGER ALMANAC BRIMFIELD — The Brimfield Senior a.m., Nov. 21. Everyone has a talent of For information about any of our pro- Center has announced its activities for some kind. Please bring something to grams or to make reservations for QUOTATION OF THE WEEK the month of November. demonstrate your “unique talent”. lunch or parties, please call the Senior Lunchtime speaker programs Perhaps you can sing, dance, play an Center at 413-245-7253. “We’ve set this up just like an actual polling include: instrument, or maybe you have a more It’s not too late to join the class to • Alzheimers, Dementia or Old Age? bizarre talent ie, hog calling, nose write your “Life Stories,.” The class place.