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24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 508.435.5534
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The Last Kiss Before Kindergarten
Historical events shape upbringing
 By
Jennifer Prentiss
September 6, 2006 - An old friend of
mine with grown kids told me that parenthood, from the very
beginning, is about preparing your kids to leave the home. That
thought bounces around my head as I prepare my 5-year old son, Milo,
to start kindergarten. Is he ready? Am I?
We have the new backpack, the new sneakers, and the new lunchbox.
We know where to catch the bus and when it comes. I’ve written his
name in everything he owns. But are we really ready?
Milo, like most preschoolers, needs a lot of warning so we’ve been
talking about kindergarten for over a year. He was fearful about it
from the beginning.
At first he just refused.
“I won’t go. I don’t know the kids or the teachers,” he said. “I
don’t know what toys they have.”
So we told him he didn’t have to worry about it, that when the time
came he’d be ready. After we took him on the kindergarten tour in
the spring he wasn’t afraid any more. It was as simple as
overcoming the fear of the unknown.
“There are lots of rooms in the school, but I only have to be in one
room,” he said confidently. And we all breathed easier.
I asked him yesterday if he was anxious any more about starting
kindergarten.
“I’m a little nervous, but mostly I’m excited!” he said.
So I guess he’s ready. I’m not so sure about me!
It’s not that I don’t want him out of the house — I’m a
stay-at-home mother of two who’s spent the last five weeks in a
house with a 2-year old and a 5-year old — it’s more than just
spending time apart.
There’s the usual issue of his parents not wanting him to grow up.
He amazes me every day now. He’ll read a street sign or help his
sister into her car seat or tell me there are sixteen ounces in a
pound. He can speak to his grandparents in Spanish, which I can’t
do. He asked me yesterday what the word inaccurate means.
He’s too heavy for me to lift for long. I’m not sure how all this
happened.
Milo was my first child, but I’m pretty sure I’m experiencing the
usual fears and anxieties of every parent in the entire history of
parenthood.
But there’s something distinctly different about this year’s
kindergarteners.
I can remember when Milo was one month old and he woke me up for an
early morning feeding, around 5:00 a.m. California time. I sat on
the couch and fed him and flipped on the television to CNN and
watched the world change. It was September 11, 2001. I think I
held Milo in my arms for the next three months.
I think parents nowadays try not to let 9/11 affect them
day-to-day. Most of the kindergarteners in Center School don’t even
know what happened on that portentous day. But as a result of that
day, it seems harder for us to let our children out of our control,
out of our view. We all know that it will happen, but it’s that
much more difficult to allow it to happen.
I tried to explain it to a friend who doesn’t have children yet. To
me, having children today is like handing your heart to someone else
to hold for you. It’s an incredibly vulnerable feeling. It was
that feeling that led us to move our household from Los Angeles to a
relatively quieter area like Hopkinton.
But we all bravely move forward, trying to raise our children in a
safe and fearless atmosphere. We pack their snacks and snap photos
as they step on to the bus for the first time.
And we smile and have faith and hope for their futures.
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 The
Hopkinton Newcomers Club...
...
will host a welcome tea for all new (less than 1 year) residents of
the town. It will be held on Wednesday, September 20th
from 10 to 11:30 at the home of Lorelei Lotvin, 7 Sylvan Way.
Please RSVP to Lorelei at 508-625-1567.
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Two men with many Hopkinton
ties
Alfred "Big Al" J. Aia Jr.,
55, of Upton, died Monday, Sept. 4, 2006, after a long illness.
He was the husband of Joan Marie (Kelly) Aia for 36 years.
Mr. Aia was born in East Boston, the son of the late Alfred J. and
Catherine (Vallen) Aia. He lived in Somerville before moving to Upton 30
years ago.
Known as "Big Al," he was a professional musician who performed all
over New England with his daughters, Lisa and Jenny. His band, Jenny
and the Stoplites, won several awards, including Best Band in
Massachusetts.
Arrangements complete.
Gary K. Oberg, 44,
of Milford, formerly of Holliston, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006.
Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late William G. and
Dorothy G. (Beohner) Oberg.
A longtime Holliston resident and a Milford resident for the past
six years, he was a 1979 graduate of Joseph P. Keefe Technical High
School in Framingham and the owner of Oberg Heating and Air
Conditioning.
Arrangements
have passed. |
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 Message
From the HPTA: New Parent Orientation
Join Us
Monday, September
18 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Elmwood School Music Room
You will hear a variety of HPTA and guest speakers
representing various school and town offices, such as:
•
The Superintendent of Schools
•
Hopkinton School Committee
•
Hopkinton Education Foundation
•
SPEAC
•
Hopkinton
Newcomer’s Club
•
the Cultural Arts
Alliance
•
Hopkinton Parks
and Recreation
•
Hopkinton Public
Library
•
Hopkinton Youth
Commission
•
Hopkinton Music
Association,
•
Hopkinton
Community Education
Come and learn about our
schools and how you can become involved through membership and
participation in the HPTA.
Then stay for the
first HPTA General Meeting of the year immediately following from 7:30
to 9:00 p.m. in the Elmwood School cafetorium.
For more
information, email
jdriscoll734@comcast.net
. |
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Get your
motor runnin'...
September 5, 2006
— These 70 or so motorcycles started out at Lakeshore Drive and headed
through town with the road at each intersection cleared by the Police
Department on Monday. According to posts on the Discussion Page, they
were riding in memory of
a friend, Gary K.
Oberg, 44, of Milford, formerly of Holliston, who died Sunday, Aug. 27,
2006, as they travel south on
Grove Street. |
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Off course
September 5, 2006 — The roof peak of 17 Main
Street is proof positive that this turkey vulture was circling Main
Street last week in search of some sort of meal. With three eateries
cranking out superb scents, is it any wonder? |
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Crumple Zone
September 5, 2006
— If seeing who can make a car that crumples and falls apart most easily
on impact is the goal, then this Lexus is the winner. The vehicle hit
the rear end of a van on West Main Street after being hit and pushed
into it by a Volvo SUV that appeared to have no damage, let alone a
spontaneous disassembly. |
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 IRWIN
POLL RESULTS
Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality known as the
Crocodile Hunter, died yesterday from the poisonous barb of a
sting ray that pierced his heart while he swam near it.
His daredevil feats with animals are legendary, but we asked people,
with children in mind, if those types of antics should be banned from
television.
HopNews readers have spoken. |
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POLICE NEWS UP-TO-DATE Today,
September 4, 2006
9:16 am
The sound of a female's voice between 3 and 4 am, and a puddle of
urine...
10:33 pm
Sgt. Charles Wallace and Officer Gregg DeBoer received a complaint from
Amherst Road of a loud party...
11:27 pm
Sgt Charles Wallace as well as Officers Gregg DeBoer and Aaron O'Neil
responded to a Cross Street resident for the second time...
10:40 pm
Two reports of things thrown or shots fired at moving vehicles... |
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Community Page
In the last seven days
alone, these organizations have asked for inclusion on HopNews Community
Page.
Is your organization there?
See it! |
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Family Day
September 4, 2006
— Jackie and Ralph Potenzone used the day off to take a stroll with
their children Katie, 14, Andrew, 6, and Ryan, 3½, on Hayden Rowe
Street. |
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Up and Away!
September 4, 2006
— Hopkinton resident Bill Gassett catches enough air to qualify for the
high jump while playing an intense game of pickup basketball at the
school courts this morning. |
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Pratt's heron
September 4, 2006
— This great blue heron is a frequent visitor, if not a resident, of
Pratt's Pond on Fruit Street, photographed today. Anyone taking a photo
of this bird should use a long lens, pre-focus and shoot immediately,
because they fear people and flee from proximity with humans. |
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Early start
September 4, 2006 — The Cross-Country team had
a Captain's practice this morning at the State Park, the girl's starting
ahead of the pack. |
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1.5 miles
September 4, 2006 — These boys, who were
behind the girls in the previous photo, are seen here at the 1.5 or so
mile mark. |
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Two Loaded Firearms seized by State
Police after Traffic Stop
 (Leominster)
September 3, 2006 — Last evening, on September 2, 2006 at about 9 p.m.,
Trooper Michael Fitzgerald began working an OUI Saturation Patrol in the
State Police C-Troop area as part of this weekend’s motor vehicle
enforcement efforts.
At about 9:30 p.m.
Trooper Fitzgerald stopped a black Honda Accord for a license plate
light violation on Merriam Avenue in Leominster. The operator of the
Honda was identified as Albert N. Lopez, age 18 of 86 Pleasant Street in
Leominster. The Honda was in the process of being towed when the
operator and the four other occupants that had been in the Honda prior
to being stopped began fleeing the scene because Trooper Fitzgerald
observed two semi-automatic pistols on the floor inside the Honda.
Albert N. Lopez
was immediately taken into custody by Trooper Fitzgerald. He was
subsequently transported to the State Police Leominster Barracks, booked
and charged with the following: Unlicensed operation of a motor
vehicle, motor vehicle plate light violation, no seat belt, possession
of marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of
ammunition, unlawful possession of a large capacity magazine and
receiving a stolen firearm. He is currently being held at the State
Police Leominster Barracks. Bail has been set at $10,000. The charges
are out of Leominster District Court.
A search of the
area immediately after the other four occupants fled the scene was
conducted by members of the State Police Leominster Barracks, Devens
Barracks, Athol Barracks, Holden Barracks, the State Police Canine
Section and the Leominster Police Department including one Leominster
Police Department canine officer. Officers were unable to locate the
four other occupants during this search but the investigation is still
continuing and more charges shall be forthcoming. The State Police
recovered one loaded H & K 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and one
loaded Ruger 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol from the Honda during
their investigation. |
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POSITIVELY HOPKINTON
New Orleans "House" delivered to Hopkinton
Doll house and real home spared from
destruction
 September
3, 2006 — Local resident and Middle School 6th Grader Lauren Sheridan
was worried about her Uncle Phil and Aunt Deborah after last years
hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans. Phil and Debra Locantro
evacuated their home in Metairie Louisiana less than 4 miles from
downtown New Orleans for safety in northern Mississippi. While everyone
was understandably worried about their houses and families Uncle Phil
said he was worried about his second house. "I had over 50 hours of work
into the dollhouse I was making for Lauren." "It was too big to move
when we evacuated so I secured it as well as I could and then hoped for
the best."
Fortunately, both of Uncle Phil's houses were spared serious damage.
After Katrina, Uncle Phil spent time during the day helping his less
fortunate friends and neighbors, and in the evenings, continued work on
the dollhouse for his niece Lauren Sheridan.
This summer, Uncle Phil made a trip to Hopkinton to deliver his "second
house" to Lauren in person. Completed with over 300 hours of work, the
features of the house include working electrical outlets and lighting in
each of the 6 rooms on the main two floors. Each room is complete with
its own personally selected custom wallpaper and hardwood floors. Uncle
Phil hand cut, stained and secured each of the more than one thousand
individual cedar roof shingles in a very successful attempt to give it a
New England feel.
"All of my friends who have seen it are amazed at the detail" said
Lauren. "My Uncle Phil is the best." |
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Senior Center to open soon
 By
Ann Di Leo
September
3, 2006 — Summer has passed in a wave of rain , smog and
allergies, especially for seniors. Most of us have spent the
days in air-conditioned places…. no sunning, no beaches, and not
even much swinging, with the swing cushions on Davis Road wet so
much of the time. And so autumn is due and perhaps a little
early with the leaves falling and the flowers already faded.
“Come,
little leaves, said the wind one day,
Come
o’er the meadows with me and play;
Put on
your dresses of red and gold,
For
summer is gone and the days grow cold.
Soon as
the leaves heard the wind’s loud call,
Down
they came fluttering, one and all;
Over
the brown fields they danced and flew,
Singing
the glad little songs they knew…” --George Cooper.
And that is what is happening as another season passes
and seniors count the days until the new Senior Center opens in
October, and perhaps Hopkinton seniors will have something more
to do together…. Have meals. Play games, enjoy discussion
groups, and the society of just being together. Too many seniors
have spent these rainy months in front of the television and
working at crossword puzzles. At least the doctors have advised
us that the book puzzles are very good for our brain power.
Several dozen seniors have already volunteered
to help with various programs at the new center, and they
should be very alert after all those puzzle books!!! The
doctors said so…
The first party of September to start the autumn season
is the delicious annual chicken barbecue offered by the
Woodville Rod and Gun Club for all the family, Sunday, Sept. 10
at 1 p.m. Call 508-435-4148 for prices, and seating information.
The Brampton Circle Club will have its first
meeting of the fall season Monday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. Everyone
is welcome and there, are many new tenants on Davis Road. So
scamper through those falling leaves and come out to help with
programs or just join in the fun and games….
Love Annie
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Friends of the Public
Library
The Friends of the Hopkinton Public
Library will once again be serving Apple Crisp at the PolyArts
Festival on September 30. Help is again needed to prepare, bake, and
sell. If you would like to see how you can help out we will be
holding a meeting at the Public Library on Wednesday Sept. 13 at
7:30 p.m. If you would like to help bake a prepared pan for us or
work an hour or so at the sale you can also contact. Doris Kumlin
435-4379, Linda Kimball 435-4872 or email
lindamamak@comcast.net.
Or if at
the Library you can sign up at the desk to help.
Hopkinton Calendar notice:
Friends of the Library meeting SEPT. 13 Wednesday -- Public Library
7:30
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Community Page
In the last seven days
alone, these organizations have asked for inclusion on HopNews Community
Page.
Is your organization there?
See it! |
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Great job
guys!
Coach September 3,
2006 — Coach Hughes is seen giving a post-scrimmage chat to the boys last
week. They looked terrific last night when they played Ashland in the
Jamboree in Holliston. ~ Mardi Cunningham |
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Maspenock
5-0
September 3, 2006
— Officer Gregg DeBoer leaves a decent wake as he operates the Hopkinton
Police Boat yesterday on North Pond, Lake Maspenock, during the last
Saturday before school starts. The Police Boat often sends other boats
scurrying to port or shore once he puts in. The lake is in Hopkinton as
well as Upton and Milford.
According to Officer DeBoer, once the boat hits the water, the police
have jurisdiction wherever the water may bound, such as the
aforementioned towns. |
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State Police B.A.T
Mobile Stops Wrong Way Operator
On Friday September
1, 2006 at approximately 11:10 p.m. the State Police Breathalyzer
Alcohol Testing (B.A.T.) Mobile was traveling South on Route 140 in
New Bedford on route for a joint You Drink, You Drive, You Lose
Sobriety Check Point with New Bedford Police.
Captain Steven McCarthy operating the State Police B.A.T. Mobile,
along with Trooper Kevin Packard, observed a vehicle get on the ramp
at Exit 7 Braley Road the wrong way and travel North on the South
bound side of Route 140. Heading directly towards them Captain
McCarthy activated the B.A.T. Mobile emergency lights and was able
to maneuver so as to stop the vehicle just 20 feet prior to it
colliding into them.
A preliminary check of the operator determined she was operating her
2005 Ford Pick-up while under the influence of alcohol. The operator
was identified as Desiree Burgo, age 38, of 129 Pleasant Street, New
Bedford. She was placed under arrest and charged with: (1).90-24
Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (2).
Negligent Operation (3). Wrong Way Violation.
The B.A.T. Mobile continued on to New Bedford for the YD,YD,YL
Sobriety Check Point with New Bedford Police Department where they
arrested 7 motorist for operating under the influence of alcohol.
File photo of dedication ceremony.
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SAVE THE DATE
Look
familiar?
August 3, 2006 —
If you went to school here, your classmates would like to have you join
them on Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Woodville Rod and Gun Club for
cocktails beginning at 5:00 pm and until 6:00 pm with a buffet to
follow. Beverages will be available until 11:00 pm. For more information
or to purchase tickets, call Mary Harrington at 508-435-3850. |
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SAVE THE DATE
Hopkinton Youth Soccer Night at the Revolution!
THE
DETAILS:
Date:
Saturday October 14th - New England Revolution vs.
Columbus Crew
Time:
5:30pm BBQ Tailgate party (the game starts at 7:30pm)
Location:
Gillette Stadium (home of the 2004 SuperBowl Champions!)
Price:
*Event
tickets are $20.00 per person BUT all registered
Hopkinton Youth Soccer
Players pay only $14.00 per person.
FULL DETAILS HERE
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SAVE THE DATE
Hopkinton Police Local 254
Golf
Tournament
HOPKINTON
COUNTRY CLUB
204 Saddle Hill Road
Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-435-4630
October 2, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM
Check-in 11:00 AM Shotgun Start
·
$135.00 / person (includes 18 holes of golf, cart,
box lunch, dinner and more)
·
MAXIMUM limit 144 Players (36 foursomes) – first
come basis
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Scramble format |
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Door Prizes |
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Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin
Contests
Please register before September 24, 2006
(Click
here for signup form) |
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Raffle Prizes |
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Poll Results on Whitehall Question
September 1, 2006 — These are the
facts that were given to readers as a preface to the poll, the
results of which are displayed on the left:
Town Meeting voted to purchase the 22 or so acres of land near
Lake Whitehall for $3 million in May at Town Meeting.
Appraisers working on the town's behalf have come up
with two figures, $2 million and $2.050 million for the
land, taking into consideration the value of approvals
for a 9 and 11 lot subdivision respectively. The figure
of $4 million plus that has been paraded around is not correct. That was figured if
there were an approval for a plan for 40B apartments in
hand. There is not. In fact, that appraisal is for more
like $1.8 million, as is.
Then comes the seller with an appraisal for $2.685
million; but the town still can't purchase the land for
more than the appraised value due to state law.
So
now, the majority of the Selectmen agreed to hire the
seller's appraiser to get the price up to what the
seller wants.
It
is clear from the results of the survey — and they are
likely fairly representative of the general population
of the town — that a substantial majority feels the town
agreed to paid too much.
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DOWNTOWN
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
Hayden Rowe Street Revitalized
September 1, 2006 — With all of the
talk about expanding the available office space in the Downtown
area, business owners Kathleen and Fred Grant took it upon
themselves to turn an old factory space into a showcase office
building 2½ years ago. And just recently, they doubled the
amount of suites available at Hopkinton Executive Suites, making
another 18 office suites, from 10x12 to 15x20, ready for
occupancy.
"Fred has done all of the work," said Mrs. Grant. "After he got
done here, he got itchy and started building an all season room
at home."
"My background is home building," said Mr. Grant, giving
credentials for all of the framing, trim, and door and window
hanging that had to be done to bring the new space to completion
for the fall.
"Some people want to move their office out of the home," said
Mrs. Grant.
"But many of our clients are corporate businesses who want a
satellite office and a Hopkinton presence.
"Many of the suites are one person offices, but they can be
expanded by combining two or three together," Mr. Grant said.
"Lights, utilities, janitorial and cleaning are all included,
and an answering service and a T-1 line are available," he
said.
Within the Suites, a small business person without the
capital or need for a much larger space can have access to a
kitchen area, private fitness suite, and a fully equipped
conference room.
To put yourself into a plush leather chair on Hayden Rowe
Street, call
508-435-3150.
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Bicycles Needed in Developing Countries
St.
John’s Church in Hopkinton is collecting bicycles to send to the
poor in developing countries, in conjunction with the
Bikes-Not-Bombs (BNB) program in Roxbury. Bikes can be
remarkably effective in developing countries, improving men’s
and women’s ability to haul fa | |