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Free by request to residents of Douglas, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Linwood, Whitinsville and North Uxbridge SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, December 7, 2018 Uxbridge public schools welcomes new preschool administrator Superintendent of Schools, She is replacing Kristin “Speaking with her yester- she has been the Pre K coordi- team chairperson for Grades Dr. Frank Tiano, is pleased to Drainville who relocated to day, Jen is eager to meet the nator and the Grades K-4 team K-5. welcome Jennifer Ramsdell to Florida with her family last students, staff, and families of chairperson. Prior to her cur- Ramsdell earned her the Uxbridge public schools month. our preschool community and rent role, Ramsdell has served Bachelor of Arts degree from administrative team. Ramsdell “We are fortunate that some- jump right in to her Uxbridge in a variety of teaching and Gordon College and holds a will assume the role of pre- one of Ms. Ramsdell’s experi- career.” leadership positions including Master of Science in education school director and team chair- ence and expertise has made Ramsdell will be joining preschool special educator, from Simmons College. person and reported to the Taft herself available during the us from the Mendon-Upton kindergarten transition spe- Early Learning Center Dec. 3. school year,” Dr. Tiano said. Regional School District where cialist, and special education Committee working toward permanent status The Recycling and The committee also sees in Sustainability has been meet- the mission a need for educat- ing and discussing a variety of ing all residents about recy- issues for over a year. cling opportunities and prac- It was originally created by tices, as well as reduction in the Board of Selectmen in 2017 waster production through with the mandate to address composting or reducing the the waste stream and recycling use of single use items. The activities in town. After the committee has worked with the first meeting, it was realized public schools, the DPW, the that to address these items library, the Planning Board, members needed to expand the the Board of Selectmen and scope of activities to include the Central Massachusetts the general category of sustain- Department of Environmental ability. Protection. Accordingly, the committee The hope is to become a Courtesy photos has conducted a survey about standing committee, with the Rev. Valerie Roberts-Toler feeds the document to the flames. recycling and waste practices endorsement of the Board of among all residents, laid the Selectmen and eventually the groundwork for becoming a town at the spring town meet- Green Community, and are ing. exploring a town wide munic- Presently membership con- ipal trash and recycling curb- Blackstone Valley side program. Turn To COMMITTEE page A13 UMC celebrates mortgage pay-off On Sept 30, 2018 The from a successful capital of the church’s bell tower Blackstone Valley United campaign. over the existing sanctuary. Methodist Church held The improvements to the “It was so special to a ceremony to “Burn the church began in 2007. The include the children of the Mortgage.” The event took 4,000 square foot addition congregation in this ceremo- place after the Sunday morn- houses a fellowship hall, ny to burn the mortgage,” ing worship service, outside meeting room, kitchen, and said Rev. Valerie Roberts- of the church addition that staff offices. The project also was built with the funds included the reconstruction Turn To CHURCH page A11 Photos courtesy of Rachel Burns The team on the gym floor Leadership requires Local cheerleading emotional intelligence team posts BY GUS STEEVES He later observed members STONEBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT of groups need to know their To be effective, one thing leaders “have those feelings and what you do when you undefeated season leaders really need is a ruler. Not the political kind, nor have those feelings. It’s not just BY KIM PALMUCCI show for their efforts. the measuring kind, but the about having your emotions on TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT idea kind. your sleeves all the time.” “The tears of joy on their As Craig Bailey told a din- Emotional intelligence can One local cheerleading team faces cannot be replaced! It was ner forum at Nichols last week, be learned, even when we’re has posted an undefeated sea- such an amazing journey to that word is an acronym for no longer in preschool. The son and placed first in multiple take with what I consider my Recognize, Understand, Label, key is to recognize what we competitions, including States, ‘Cheer Family’,” said Rachel Express and Regulate, and it feel and where it might be but the most important lesson Burns, whose daughter Emma specifically refers to how to coming from (within or out- learned was to never give up. was on the team. “The coach- deal with something everyone side the situation). Emotions, The Northbridge/Uxbridge es are hands down the most has, but many don’t deal with he noted, can be responses to Bulldogs U-12 “Lady Dawgs” amazing group of women and I too well – emotions. something that “doesn’t have had never placed before in a couldn’t imagine my daughter “The skills of one person can to be right in front of you,” competition; that did not stop being trained by anyone else!” make a difference in an organi- and are “characterized by a them from competing and All four teams in the Bulldogs zation,” he noted, adding that change” in thought, physical working harder than ever to franchise, including the U-8, leaders “set the tone, so their reaction, expression and/or make a comeback. Now, they U-10, U-12, and U-14 age brack- have an undefeated season to skills matter.” Turn To LEADERSHIP page A14 Dr. Craig Bailey Turn To CHEERLEADING page A13 2 • Friday, December 7, 2018 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE Media employees unionize in western Massachusetts BY JERRY CARTON began last year when Gazette executive adding, “I think whenever workers can ruling employees at the Los Angeles COURIER CORRESPONDENT editor Jeff Good said he was fired for come together, whether it’s for better Times, Chicago Tribune and the New Employees of two publications in supporting equal pay for female employ- working conditions, greater wages, bet- Yorker magazine had voted to unionize. western Massachusetts have asked ees though corporate officials say that ter hours, you name it, I think it’s Newspapers of New England owns the Newspapers of New England to wasn’t the case. Publisher Michael beneficial to those workers and their numerous publications including the recognize them as the Pioneer Valley Rifanburg has folded the Advocate into families.” locally regional Athol Daily News NewsGuild. the features department of the Gazette Organizing into a union isn’t as easy as well as the Concord Monitor and The Daily Hampshire Gazette and and reduced staff, citing lower reader- as it used to be, not since the Supreme Greenfield Recorder. the weekly alternative Valley Advocate ship and tariffs on Canadian newsprint Court delivered a blow to such efforts The Winchendon Courier is owned share ownership and a building in as factors for the moves. during the summer. If Newspapers of by Stonebridge Press in Southbridge, Northampton and are moving to solid- “We’re feeling the pinch,” he said. New England doesn’t agree voluntari- which operates more than 20 publica- ify their status as a union as other However, state Rep. Jim O’Day isn’t ly to recognize the union, organizers tions throughout New England. papers have done. buying it. will have to ask the National Labor A timetable for resolution of the Efforts to unionize in Northampton “Hopefully they’ll let the process Relations Board to distribute ballots to Northampton effort is uncertain. unfold in a democratic way,” he said, the 72 members. However, prior to that LIBRARY CHRISTMAS CORNER IN BLACKSTONE VALLEY (To have your services includ- AREA CHURCHES feature St. Mary’s Choir under ed, email ruth@stonebridge- the direction of Daniel Zabinski. UXBRIDGE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY press.news) ST. MARY PARISH They will present a wide range 15 MAIN STREET St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge of traditional and contemporary (508) 278-8624 SPECIAL SERVICE invites all to come celebrate the Christmas songs. Come listen www.uxbridgelibrary.org Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the peaceful surroundings BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE this Christmas. Beginning on and artistic beauty of St. Mary Open Monday and Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Zion Lutheran Church, 70 Monday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Church as all prepare to cele- Wednesday 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Main St., Oxford is planning a Masses will be at 4:00 PM and brate the birth of our Lord and Friday and Sunday. Blue Christmas candle-light ser- 10:00 PM, with a Choral Prelude Savior Jesus Christ. For more HOLIDAY HOURS: Closed Dec. 24; Dec. 25; Dec. 31 and Jan. vice to be held on Tuesday, Dec. beginning at 9:30 PM. information please contact the 1. 11th, at 7:00PM. All are welcome On Tuesday, December 25, parish office at 508-278-2226.