Mailed free to requesting homes in Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales Vol. V, No. 14 PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE AREA! COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STURBRIDGEVILLAGER.NET “A man's feet should be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.” Friday, April 8, 2011 Blanchard aiming for re-election BY KEVIN FLANDERS with several VILLAGER STAFF WRITER issues,” STURBRIDGE — Incumbent Blanchard Selectman Mary Blanchard is said. “Being a proud of the accomplishments the member of the board has made during her tenure, Board of and she hopes the community will Selectmen is a re-elect her to a second three-year big commit- term on Tuesday, April 11. ment that Blanchard is no stranger to the requires you to workings of town government, as have an aware- Mary Blanchard she has gained valuable experience ness of many dif- Courtesy photo by serving on the following boards ferent commit- Burgess Elementary School sixth grader and committees — the Burgess tees and events in town.” Kevin Izzio will spend his April vacation Teachers’ Negotiating Committee, Three of the board’s major competing with his teammates in a chal- the Affordable Housing accomplishments that Blanchard lenging U-12 soccer tournament in Italy. Subcommittee, the Board of takes pride in having impacted are Registrars, the Charter Review the approval it gained through Committee, the Open Space town meeting for an upgrade of the Committee, the Subcommittee of wastewater treatment facility, the the Dialogue for the Future, and revitalization it achieved for the To be the best, beat the best the Zoning Board of Appeals. tourist district, and the environ- “I have been involved in town ment of collaboration it has fos- government for more than 20 tered with local business owners to BURGESS STUDENT TO PLAY IN ITALIAN SOCCER TOURNEY years, and I enjoy going to different meetings in town to stay up to date Turn To BLANCHARD page A11 BY KEVIN FLANDERS ment in Italy that will provide them will leave for Venice, Italy on April VILLAGER STAFF WRITER with the stiffest competition they 17 and begin preparing for the chal- STURBRIDGE — While many have ever experienced. lenging Montecatini Pro kids will be spending their April Izzio tried out for the U-12 Aca Tournament with a practice the Garieri advocating vacation relaxing and playing Azzurri team back in December, next day in the nearby city of video games, Burgess Elementary and his teammates include boys Pordenone. School sixth grader Kevin Izzio and from New York, several New “The boys are getting ready for a his U-12 soccer teammates will be England states, and one player participating in an elite tourna- from Montréal, Quebec. The team Turn To IZZIO page A11 for businesses the board, and he hopes to continue INCUMBENT UP FOR serving the community and help- ing to protect the interests of busi- RE-ELECTION BID nesses for the next three years. Candidates debate issues Garieri, who owns Sturbridge’s BY KEVIN FLANDERS Garieri Jewelers, is proud of the STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER many accomplishments that have OUTE STUR- occurred in town during his R 15, BRIDGE — tenure, including the renovation of DEVELOPMENT Incumbent Town Hall, the creation of the Selectman wastewater treatment plan, and AMONG KEY POINTS Scott Garieri the ongoing construction project at believes his Burgess Elementary School. In experiences as addition, he has enjoyed using his BY KEVIN FLANDERS VILLAGER STAFF WRITER a business position on the board to assist local owner gives business owners and foster a busi- STURBRIDGE — The five candi- him a unique ness friendly environment in town. dates for Board of Selectmen posi- perspective on tions expressed their views to resi- Scott Garieri Turn To GARIERI page A11 dents at Town Hall during a debate Wednesday, March 30, which was also broadcast on local television. Three of the five candidates will be elected at the April 11 annual town election. Desy throws in name The debate was moderated by Town Moderator Mike Caplette, and it featured questions asked from res- idents in attendance as well as for Board of Health phone-in questions. One question involved suggestions that have been Board of made for improving the Route 15 cor- ‘I REALIZED IT WAS Health by citi- ridor and attracting new businesses zens and busi- to that area, and each of the candi- TIME FOR A nesses that dates proposed their own ideas. were not being Kevin Flanders photos Incumbent Selectman Scott Garieri CHANGE’ addressed or Above: Candidates for discussed his opinions about alter- solved, I real- the Board of Selectmen ing the special use district regula- BY KEVIN FLANDERS ized it was time NEWS STAFF WRITER — Angeline Ellison, tions, stating that Route 15 is a prime for a change,” Alphonso Esposito, Mary area for development if certain STURBRIDGE — After being Desy said. “The Blanchard, Priscilla changes are made. asked to seek election to a three- people and Gimas and Scott Garieri “I would definitely like to see more year term on the Sturbridge Board businesses in Kimberly Desy — pose following development in that area,” said of Health by several frustrated res- this town need to Wednesday’s debate. Garieri. idents, Kimberly Desy is hoping for come first and be heard. Although At left: Members of the Angeline Ellison and Alphonso a chance to help make changes she some good has come from the past audience listen to candi- Esposito, who are both vying for the believes are badly needed. three years, a lot of steps back- dates speak at a debate “After hearing of numerous com- wards have been made and I am Wednesday, March 30. Turn To DEBATEage A16 plaints being presented to the Turn To DESY page A11 ALMANAC.........................2 SPORTS POLICE LOGS ....................5 RELAY FOR LIFE OBITUARIES ....................13 WARRIORS OPEN SEASON OPINION.........................10 AUCTION WITH LOSS TO RANGERS CALENDAR......................12 B SECTION PAGE 14 INSIDE SPORTS ....................14-15 2 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, April 8, 2011 ‘Cuts for a Cure’ to benefit Harrington Cancer Center ‘IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH IT AND IT’S VERY REWARDING’ BY ADAM T. SILVA Center does their share of promo- “When their hair is gone, they wanted to do something fun for STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER tion, DiMartino was the one that think that they can’t come see us them,” she said. “We thought that STURBRIDGE — Bella Mia Salon first contacted them. anymore,” she said. “But, I tell we could raise money for a good & Spa will host “Cuts for a Cure” “When we did Cuts for a Cure the them, ‘Oh yes you still can,’ and they charity at the same time.” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, second year, we mentioned to do. It’s wonderful for them and us.” Bella Mia, established nearly April 10, with all of the proceeds Harrington that we would like to The center offers a free Look Good seven years ago, is a full-service going to the Cancer Center at work with them the next year, but Feel Better program, where women salon and day spa. The idea for busi- Harrington Hospital. we never heard from them,” she living with cancer can receive beau- ness came to DiMartino while at Haircuts will be $10, chair mas- said. “We just called them and told ty tips, such as makeup lessons for Sims Health and Racquet Club in sages will be $1 per minute and hand them we wanted everything to go to their specific skin types and lessons Charlton. While cutting hair, she massages with moisturizers will be the Cancer Center this year. The on how to wear a wig. Although not thought there needs to be a place $4. people at Harrington have been connected, DiMartino likes to think where people can get everything “We’ve done a few charity events great and very appreciative. It’s a lot her business accomplishes the same done at once in this area. over the past few years,” said Laurie of work and we do it all, but it’s def- goal. “We do everything here — facials, DiMartino, owner of Bella Mia. “We initely worth it and it’s very reward- “The staff at Bella Mia has been manicures, pedicures, massages, hosted a Valentine’s Day Ball at ing.” wonderfully supportive,” said hair, everything,” she said enthusi- Oliver Wight Tavern at Old A large reason that they chose the Jackie Calcia, a representative for astically. “Upstairs is where we do Sturbridge Village three years in a cancer center to donate to is that Harrington. “I can’t thank them all the massages and everything. I row. We donated the proceeds to the several of their patrons are patients enough for supporting us the way love it here. We have great landlords American Cancer Society, but last at the cancer center. She explained they do. This is a great tribute for us and it’s a great space. If everyone year, we donated to Harrington. We that when a client falls ill, all of the and our patients. We will be giving gave back to the community, it have many clients that use the facil- employees take it upon themselves tours of the center for those who would make a huge difference. It ity, so we thought it was a good idea to make the patient feel better in any have not been here before.” doesn’t take a lot, but it makes all Adam T. Silva photo to give back locally.” way possible. The Valentine’s Day Ball was a the difference in the world to some- Laurie DiMartino, owner of Bella Mia To physically make themselves Even if a client loses their hair, formal event with silent and live one.