Community Journal

BREAKING NEWS:

11/28/2008

(Monday 9:15 p.m.) Voters passed an override for town services on Monday night by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. The $250,000 override request for operational expenses for the town budget passed with 65 percent � 979 voters - in favor, while 35 percent � 520 voters � opposed the measure.

Voters face override at the ballot box

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER — 11/28/2008

Voters in Ashburnham will be facing the first override request for town operational services in more than 15 years on Monday. Department heads and town officials are concerned about what the failure of this override would mean for town services because the cut list is significant and will be added on to cuts that Selectmen and Advisory Board members have already approved.

Head for the snowy hills

By Phyllis Booth JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT — 11/28/2008

Wachusett Mountain Ski area opened on Saturday, Nov. 22, one of the earliest openings in the history of the area. The ski area opened with three trails on the weekend and another six were added as snowmaking and grooming continued with the cold weather.

Where and when to vote

11/28/2008

On the override: Monday, Dec. 1, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at John R. Briggs Elementary School, 9 Williams Road On the budget: Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Drive

Taste of Wachusett winners

11/28/2008

The votes have been counted and the results are in from the annual Taste of Wachusett event. Here are the winners: Best Appetizer, "Tastiest Tidbit" • Shriver Job Corps - 82 votes • Runner Up:

CALENDAR

11/28/2008

28 FRIDAY Central Mass Web Design of Gardner is hosting a "Stuff the Bus" event at the Whitney Field Mall in Leominster. "Stuff the Bus" benefits Toys For Tots. "Home for the Holidays" will be performed at 8 p.m. at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green St.

COMMUNITY CHOICE

11/28/2008

GARDNER � Come "Home for the Holidays" and celebrate the most joyous of seasons with Theatre at the Mount.

Christmas art show and sale

11/28/2008

WESTMINSTER — Three regional artists will hold a Christmas Art Show and Sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Westminster Historical Society, 110 Main St. The paintings of Donna Peck of Westminster, Doreen Poulin of Winchendon and Rachel Armington of Leominster will be available for sale along with their prints.

Celebrate the holiday season with 'The Singing Trooper'

By Diane C. Beaudoin JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT — 11/28/2008

A first time event will help bring some joy to the local area as LATV talk show host Mike Cooley is sponsoring The Singing Trooper to appear at the Leominster Lodge of Elks on Sunday, Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Day.

Editorial

11/28/2008

Five years is a long time. And Ashburnham voters need to realize that Monday's vote on the $250,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override will directly affect some of the town's core services for at least that long,

Letters to the Editor

11/28/2008

Giving advice to the Ashburnham voters To the Editor: The Town of Ashburnham is faced with a very difficult set of circumstances. As the townspeople of Ashburnham are aware, the town finds itself in a very precarious financial situation.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK

11/28/2008

Are you going to support the override in Ashburnham? Yes. • Yes, and I'll find a way to make ends meet. • No Last Week's Question What are you doing for Thanksgiving? It will be a small family affair.

Learning the basics

11/28/2008

(Top Left) Oakmont Girls' Varsity Basketball Coach Jeff O'Neil demonstrates to participants at the Spartan One Basketball Clinic.

In the Spotlight

11/28/2008

Name: Kayne Bourgeois Hometown: Gardner Age: 16 School: Oakmont Regional High School Family: Mom - Patti; Stepdad - Mike; Sister - Sam Sport (Current): Football Team and League: ORHS,

Spartan's Winter Sports Schedule

11/28/2008

Boys' Varsity Basketball Saturday, Dec. 6, versus Westborough (scrimmage) at 1 p.m. Mon day, Dec. 8, versus Parker Charter School (scrimmage) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, versus Nashoba Regional at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

Students hoping to care for Carey with Dodge ball

By Jackie Bresanhan JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT — 11/28/2008

(Update - Saturday) A wake for Carey will be held on Monday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main St, Clinton, Conn. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church of the Visitation, 54 Grove St, Clinton, Conn. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Updated Friday at 1:27 p.m. In a sad update on this story, which was published in this week�s addition, Oakmont Principal David Uminski announced on Friday that Colin Carey had died after battling cancer for several months. (The orginal story) The most influential person in a child's school life is usually their favorite teacher. At Oakmont Regional High School, Colin Carey, 31, seems to be one of those special teachers. However, now Oakmont has an even stronger bond with Carey because he is suffering from cancer, more specifically Burkitt 's lymphoma.

School Events

11/28/2008

Overlook Middle School Tuesday, Dec. 2 - School Committee meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 - PTO meeting, 7 p.m. Oakmont Regional High School Tuesday, Dec. 2 - Financial Aid Night, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.

Community Foundations elects new trustees, officers

11/28/2008

The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts elected three new trustees and a new board of officers at its annual meeting. Deborah C. Phillips, Law Firm of Nickless and Philips, was elected as chair for a one-year term ending in 2009.

Charles E. Proctor, 82

11/28/2008

FITCHBURG — Charles E. Proctor, 82, of Townsend Street, passed away Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in Hillcrest Nursing Center. Charles was born in Fitchburg, the son of Charles H. and Sabina W. (Wilson) Proctor and worked for Trailways Bus Co. where he was known as "Subway Charlie" for many years until his retirement.

Francis Donald "Pete" Morin, 82

11/28/2008

FITCHBURG — Francis D. "Pete" Morin, 82, of Fitchburg passed away at his home, on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. Pete was born in Fitchburg, February 3, 1926, the son of William R. Morin and Cora (Geneau) Morin. Pete Morin Attended Fitchburg schools and served his country as a Marine from 1944 to 1946, in Korea.

Cynthia V. O'Hanley, 58

11/28/2008

ASHBURNHAM — Cynthia V. O'Hanley, of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., passed away on Nov. 14, 2008, at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center. She was 58. She was born on June 6, 1950, in Gardner, the daughter of John and Dorothy King Vissers. She was a 1968 graduate of Oakmont Regional High School, in Ashburnham, Upsalla College and the University of Massachusetts.

Robert A. Roy, 65

11/28/2008

ASHBURNHAM — Robert A. Roy, 65, of 13 Iriquois Drive, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, with his family by his side. Born in Gardner on Oct. 1, 1943, he was the son of the late Ernest R. and Stella (Robichaud) Roy. He was a 1961 graduate of Gardner High School.

WORSHIP COLUMN

11/28/2008

ASBHY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Located at The Common, in Ashby. If you are seeking Christian worship, service and fellowship, please join us Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. for worship service and Sunday School The children's room and nursery is available during the time of the church service. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Ashburnham officials talk with auditor about FY08

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER — 11/28/2008

Ashburnham town officials focused on how to prevent several financial mistakes that have occurred over the last 18 months from re-occurring at any point in the future when they met with the town's outside auditor Thursday evening.

Search for new Ashburnham accountant takes shape

By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER — 11/28/2008

The Ashburnham Board of Selectmen invited five others to join them in their review of the applications for the town accountant position.

Arresting development

11/28/2008

Ashburnham Police Officer Nick Dalton arrests actress Misty Lockheart in a scene that was shot at Camp Winekeage this past Sunday.

Briefs

11/28/2008

Tax classification hearing to be held The Board of Selectmen will hold a tax classification hearing on Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at Town Hall.

Meeting Matters

Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER — 11/28/2008

Top Story: The members of the Regional School Committee and Superintendent of Schools Michael Zapantis began the public discussion of the 2010 fiscal year by saying that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's draft budget had substantial reductions over last year's budget.

Westminster Businessman of the Year nominations

11/28/2008

The Board of Selectmen is accepting nominations for Westminster Businessman of the Year. The Selectmen are looking for nomination letters stating why an individual should be considered for the award. Selectmen are accepting letters now through December 12. The letters should be submitted to the Board of Selectmen, 11 South Street, Westminster, MA 01473.

Holiday Tree Lighting to be celebrated

11/28/2008

The Town of Westminster will celebrate their annual Holiday Tree Lighting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Academy Hill. The community is invited to enjoy refreshments, caroling, and a visit from Santa.

A final drive to find veterans

11/28/2008

The Westminster Historical Society is conducting a final push to find all of the local veterans so they can be included in the History of Westminster. This upcoming history of the town focused on the last 50 years so people who served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq or Afghanistan and those who served in peace time will be listed.

Town Hall holiday hours

11/28/2008

The Town Hall will be closed today as part of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Town Hall offices will also be closing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24 and will remain closed through Thursday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. The Town Hall will have the same schedule for the New Year's Holiday, closing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m.