solar project, health plan changes, budget

By Becky Harvey
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY - The March 13 school committee meeting for the Dudley-Charlton district started off with a lively presentation of certificates to students who are being acknowledged by the Kennedy Library for their Make a Difference program. Jordan Blackadar and Matthew MacKay, 8^th and 7^th graders at Dudley Middle School were recognized for their coat and pajama drives (respectively) for the needy. 

Technology for the 21^st century

by Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

DUDLEY - The Dudley Charlton School Committee meeting of February 27 kicked off on a dire note: the pending sequestration by the federal government would mean large cuts to the Title I program of the Dudley Charlton School District.  There would be substantial cuts to that program, and special education in general, should the sequestration proceed on March 1^st.  There is a seven-page document listing the numerous cuts, according to Superintendent Sean Gilrein.  In conjunction with other superintendents from around the Commonwealth, he wrote to the federal government with complaints about the devastation these cuts would create.

Another not so wonderful bit of news was that there was a bus accident on Wednesday, despite the two-hour, weather-caused delay.  The bus was “tapped” by another vehicle, a small car.  Only two students were aboard and neither was hurt.

Janet Malser Humantities Trust
Deadline April 1

The Janet Malser Humanities Trust is accepting applications for the 2013 grant cycle. Ms. Malser set up the charitable Trust in order to support the arts and humanities, community service and conservation in the towns of Dudley, Oxford, and Webster, MA.

The causes for which funding will be considered include: “the restoration and preservation of historic sites; the furtherance of art and music in the schools, both public and private; public concerts with an emphasis on classical music; the improvement and growth of public libraries; the support of church work aiding the indigent, homeless, aging citizens and needy children; beautification through planting and the preservation of park areas and cemeteries; the improvement of service and equipment at the Hubbard Regional Hospital [now Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard], and the environmental protection of Webster Lake.”

Trustees will make awards annually to verified tax-exempt organizations meeting the charitable purposes of the Trust. Prior recipients are eligible to apply so long as proper follow up status reports have been filed; otherwise they will not be considered.

Applications and instructions for the current year are available janetmalsertrust.org.  Please use the 2013 application as changes have been made. All applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2013.

WHO: Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge

WHAT: Sen. Richard T. Moore will host his monthly “Coffee with Constituents” to discuss current issues and concerns with local residents.

WHEN: Friday, March 15th, 2012 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Booklovers’ Gourmet 55 East Main St. Webster, MA 01570

On Friday, March 15th, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will host “Coffee with Constituents” in Webster. Residents are welcome to visit with the local lawmaker, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, and take the opportunity to discuss current issues and concerns.

“Coffee with Constituents” will be held at Booklovers’ Gourmet, located at 55 East Main St. in Webster, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Customers who arrive during this timeframe will receive a free cup of coffee, courtesy of the Senator.

Sen. Moore routinely visits area breakfast spots within the Worcester & Norfolk district, and combines these with his regular constituent service office hours to connect with residents about the issues of the day.

Constituents requiring immediate assistance should contact Sen. Moore’s office at (617) 722-1420 or log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com/services.

A road bike event to raise funds for the renovation and rebuilding of the Emergency Department at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard in Webster will consist of four routes that are 100 miles, 62 miles (metric century), 30 miles and 12 miles in length.

There will be something for riders of all skills. Help raise money for an Emergency Department that hasn't seen a significant renovation since it was built in 1955.

Here's the link for more information:http://ridetorebuild.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1057460

Worters comes in third in 1000 meters

Text and photos By Steev Riccardo    

BOSTON – Oxford High School senior track star Emily Dawidczyk shone at the MIAA All-State meet this past Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Arena in Boston, winning both the 55-meter hurdles and the long jump.

Dawidczyk recorded an 8.29 in the 55-meter hurdles and a personal best 17’ 9 1/2” in the long jump in a dazzling effort.

“I wasn't expecting two wins at all,” said Dawidczyk. “It felt really good to win the hurdles after hitting two last week. Right before my race I really had to focus in and pump myself up, I was nervous that I'd hit a hurdle again. Getting back in the 8.2 range definitely meant a lot, it makes me feel a little more confident going into New England's.”

four local teams to compete

by Steev Riccardo

The District playoff schedule was released on Saturday and all three boys teams will play at least one playoff game at home this Tuesday night, while the Shepherd Hill girls will be hitting the road on Friday.  

The Oxford Pirates (13-7), who progressed as the season went on, and are now playing their best basketball, earned the #4 seed in Division 2 and will host the Gardner Wildcats (8-12) on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. If the Pirates win they would play the winner of the Auburn-Blackstone Millville game on Thursday, a game which would also be played at Oxford High School, due to their high seed.

District playoffs next

by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –Few people gave the Oxford Pirates any chance at all in their semi-final Clark Tournament match-up with the highly ranked Quaboag Cougars, but the Pirates gave a valiant effort and made it interesting for about three quarters before falling 64-49 on Tuesday evening, February 19.

Pirates’ senior co-captain Tyler Barrie hit an incredible shot from beyond half court at the buzzer making it 11-10 Cougars after an exciting opening quarter.

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –  The Bartlett Indians were knocked out of the opening round of the Clark Tournament by a hot shooting and physical Auburn Rockets team 59-54 in a heated battle on Monday afternoon.

The Indians shot the ball poorly early, helping the Rockets get a 17-11 advantage at the end of opening quarter.

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – They say it’s hard to beat the same team three times in one season, and the Shepherd Hill Rams will be the first to attest to that after falling to the Quabbin Panthers 52-51 in a classic encounter in an opening round game at the Clark Tournament on Monday night.

The Rams beat the Panthers 46-43 early in the season and squeezed by them 42-40 in the last meeting only weeks ago, but they fell short in their bid to sweep their rivals.