Sponsored by Bay Path Education Foundation

The Bay Path Education Foundation is pleased to announce that they will hold their annual Santa Breakfast at Bay Path High School in Charlton on Saturday, December 8^th from 8am to 11am.

The Education Foundation, a recognized 501(c)3 charity, is a partnership with Business, Industry and Education whose primary purpose is to recognize the achievements of vocational students. In 2012 the foundation awarded twenty $500 scholarships to graduating seniors to offset the cost of post-secondary education or career related tools. In addition, one student received a 4-year renewable $500 scholarship.

In addition to providing student scholarships, the foundation recently began funding grant applications from Bay Path teachers. The grants allow teachers and students to work on unique, curriculum-based projects in their academic and vocational classrooms. Recently funded projects in solar energy, the study of world culture and the school-wide science fair are increasing student knowledge in critical content areas.

The upcoming Santa’s Breakfast is one of the major fundraisers hosted by the Bay Path Education Foundation to raise funds for its activities. The family-fun event is held in the Bay Path High School cafeteria. The highlight of the event is a visit from Santa Claus. Santa greets the children and sits for pictures taken by the professional photographers at Casson-Foster. All families receive a free portrait available before Christmas. In addition to meeting Santa, everyone enjoys the delicious pancake breakfast cooked by Bay Path volunteers. No one leaves the breakfast hungry and the cooks are always complimented for their skilled presentation of the festive meal.

In addition, the event features face painting and a chance to win one of many donated holiday baskets and locally made gifts.

The Bay Path Education Foundation invites everyone to enjoy a fun-filled holiday season morning at Bay Path High School on Saturday, December 8^th from 8am to 11am. Tickets are $5.00 per person with children 5 and younger admitted for free. Help us support the great vocational students attending Bay Path High School.

Resolution for Small Business Weekend
encourages shopping on “Main Street”

In just the two years since it's creation by American Express, Small Business Saturday has become a popular annual event. Falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the idea was to encourage consumers to shop at their local small businesses during the holiday season.

The Massachusetts House of Representative approved a resolution last year establishing the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Weekend.

State Representative Peter J. Durant (R-Spencer), a member of the Small Business Caucus and a co-sponsor of Small Business Weekend said, “The purpose of the resolution was to recognize the important economic role and positive impacts small business has on our communities and to encourage shopping at 'Main Street' local businesses,”

Not only do local businesses tend to employ local people, butfor every $100 spent with locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through local taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.

Durant believes that a public awareness campaign will help increase revenue for local businesses, which will in turn help increase employment opportunities.

“If we want to put people back to work, we need to support our local businesses and encourage future entrepreneurs.” Durant said. “Promoting Small Business Weekend will help educate the public as to how vital small business is to our state’s economic outlook and hopefully motivate them to shop locally all year long,”

SOUTHBRIDGE/WEBSTER, Mass. – The Harrington Auxiliary has generously donated $50,000 to Harrington HealthCare System’s fundraising campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department in Webster.

The donation, proposed by Harrington Auxiliary President Kathy Vairo, has pushed the sum raised for the campaign to more than $774,494. Thanks to a $4 million matching grant from an anonymous donor, the sum raised totals $1.54 million.

The money raised will help support the Strengthening Our Future Capital Campaign -- an $8.8 million fund-raising campaign to modernize and renovate the Emergency Department at the Webster campus. 

Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard’s Emergency Department is the focal point of healthcare in Webster, Dudley, Oxford, Douglas, Thompson and surrounding communities in South Central Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. The Emergency Department in Webster sees more than 12,000 patient visits a year, but has not had a substantial overhaul since it was constructed in 1955.

"Today, our Harrington Hospital Auxilians continue to fulfill the mission of the Auxiliary founders and have expanded that mission to include financial support of expansion projects so vital to the future of Harrington HealthCare System," Kathy Vairo said.

“The Harrington Auxiliary, since its founding in 1932, has been vital to the growth of Harrington Hospital and Harrington HealthCare System,” said Harrington President and CEO Edward H. Moore. “This generous, giving group has helped fund hospital programs and has volunteered thousands of hours of their time to make Harrington a better place.”

If you are interested in supporting the Strengthening Our Future Campaign, please view our opportunities to give online at www.harringtonhospital.org/give.

Will attend Sacred Heart
Text and photos by Steev Riccardo 

OXFORD - Without even stepping a foot on a track to begin her final season in track and field, a sport Oxford High School senior Emily Dawidczyk has dominated, the school’s all-time leading scorer in soccer has committed to attend Division I Sacred Heart University to play soccer next year.

This may come as a surprise to some, considering Dawidczyk’s incredible track career, which isn’t even over yet, but coming off an amazing season in which she won the Central Mass scoring title with 32 goals and four assists, the National Honor Society senior chose Sacred Heart not only to play soccer but more importantly, to major in Nursing.

Dawidczyk scored goals against 14 different teams and had seven multi-goal games, including six goals against an excellent Shepherd Hill team, which gave up only 23 goals all season. She also had five goals against Southbridge, four against Grafton, and a hat trick against SWCL powerhouse Auburn.  It was truly an unforgettable feat.

As a team the Pirates, who were minus Dawidczyk for three games, were only 5-10-2, but lost a lot of close games and were much better than their overall record indicates.

Despite the poor team record, Dawidczyk managed to keep her cool and stay focused throughout the season and along with co-captains Gina Manzi and Dominique Lesieur kept the team ready for and competitive in every game.

“Sometimes it did get a little frustrating, like the Shepherd Hill game,” said Dawidczyk. “We were up two goals and they came back and tied us.  All in all though, I think the season was really good. For me it tied the best season that I ever had record-wise in high school, so that was exciting.”

The Shepherd Hill game, which ended in a 6-6 tie, was clearly the senior’s “most memorable game.”  Despite the tie the players and coach Dung Hguyen celebrated afterwards like they had won.  For them it was a win, not just for the team but also for the soccer program at Oxford, which has struggled in recent years.

Dawidczyk feels that the soccer program at Oxford is now heading in a good direction in general and credits the younger players who are coming up with being a big reason for that.

“I know the younger girls in the middle school are playing club soccer and I think if they stay in Oxford then the organization is going to be really good.”

As far as the upcoming indoor and outdoor track seasons, don’t expect the reigning SWCL and Central Mass all-star to be coasting along. 

“I always like to step up my game and take it a step further,” said Dawidczyk, who starred in both the state and New England tournaments in outdoor track last year and figures to be heavily favored to break a few more records this year.
 

When her high school career is over in June, she has a lot to look forward to. “It’s very exciting to be going to Sacred Heart. I went for an official visit and the whole feeling of being there made me fall in love with the place.”

It’s pretty certain that once she takes the field, the love will be returning her way, but for the time being we are the lucky ones who get to see Dawidczyk for two more seasons and speaking of love, we love that!  

For more on Emily “The Sweet Assassin” Dawidczyk and local sports, check out View From The Sidelines every week in The Patriot and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ViewFromTheSidelines or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your feedback and comments.
 

Harrington first-ever event Saturday, Nov. 17
Webster Town hall

WEBSTER, Mass. – Harrington HealthCare System has announced the first-ever community baby shower to be held Saturday, Nov. 17 from 12-4 p.m. at the Webster Town Hall on Main Street.

The event is an opportunity for expectant mothers and parents of infant children 6 months and younger to connect with local resources and important health information regarding both pregnancy and infant care.

The event will be the first of its kind for Webster. Harrington HealthCare System birthed the idea after years of a similar and highly successful event  run in Southbridge, via Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County and the Southern Worcester County Parent Support Network.

The Webster event is free for expectant parents and parents of infants. There will be raffle prizes (one per family) as well as goodie bags and a scavenger hunt, which helps families become connected with many of the local agencies and resources available in Southern Worcester County. Light refreshments and a craft area will also be available.

Participants will have the opportunity to speak with local organizations about many popular topics in pre- and post-natal healthcare, as well as infant safety and wellness. Topics include vaccinations, infant sleeping habits, early literacy, pregnancy health, post-partum, shaken baby syndrome, breastfeeding, child and family services and more. There will also be a special section dedicated to dads and fathering children.

Community partners participating in the event include WIC, Worcester County Action Council, Catholic Charities, Harrington HealthCare System and Harrington Physician Services, the District Attorney’s Office and local police, Kennedy Donovan Center, St. Guild of Agnes Childcare Center and more.

DVD available at Worcester County Public Libraries

Stuttering: Straight Talk for Teachers - DVD for parents and teachers available at Webster and Oxford libraries

When teachers hear a child stutter, the immediate reaction is one of concern mixed with a host of urgent questions:

· Should I call on the student in class, or will that only make it worse?

· How should I handle teasing and bullying by other students?

· What should I do about reading aloud in class?

The Stuttering Foundation has produced the DVD, Stuttering: Straight Talk for Teachers. This 20-minute film helps parents and teachers understand how stuttering can affect children of all ages in the classroom and is available at most public libraries. Some libraries have the video version.

The highlight of the DVD is the children who discuss their experiences in the classroom and share what was helpful for them.  “Even when I knew the answer, I wouldn’t raise my hand because I was worried about what others might think,” says Umberto, a teenager in the DVD. He added that giving a classroom presentation on stuttering to the entire class has made him feel more at ease.  “At the beginning of the school year, I was embarrassed to read aloud in front of my teacher and friends because of my stuttering,” says Kate. She worked with her teacher to make a plan about how she could practice first at home and then individually with her teacher.  Martin offers a different perspective. “I feel confident and even though I might mess up when I talk, I’m not ashamed. I still want the teacher to call on me even though I might be having a bad day.”

Noted speech-language pathologists Bill Murphy, M.A., of Purdue University and Kristin Chmela, M.A., of Northwestern University present practical strategies teachers can use immediately to help children feel more comfortable talking in the classroom.  “The courage and honesty of the children sharing their experiences helps teachers find solutions for the children in their class,” says Lisa Scott, Ph.D., of The Florida State University and co-producer of the DVD.

At school, children who stutter often face bullying and teasing. This treatment by other students sometimes causes more anxiety than does the speech disorder itself.  “Even the children who receive therapy to help them speak more fluently continue to have negative feelings as they grow older,” Murphy says. “Their ability to communicate is still hindered by the shame and embarrassment they feel about stuttering, which is often brought on by teasing.”

Murphy suggests teachers make stuttering an open topic for discussion in the classroom. One exercise a teacher can use is to discuss famous people who stutter.  NBA basketball star Kenyon Martin, news anchor John Stossel, and actors James Earl Jones and Nicholas Brendon are just a few of the many celebrities who struggle with stuttering. A list of famous people who stutter and a downloadable poster can be found at www.stutteringhelp.org.

Elementary school teacher Katie Lenell says, “This DVD is an excellent resource for educators at all grade levels. I now feel more at ease having a child who stutters in my classroom.”

Books and DVDs produced by the 65-year-old nonprofit Stuttering Foundation are available free to any public library. A library that will shelve them can contact the Foundation at 1-800-992-9392, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit www.stutteringhelp.org or www.tartarmudez.org.

Athol Public Library; Athol, MA

Bigelow Free Public Library; Clinton, MA

Fitchburg Public Library; Fitchburg, MA

The Leominster Public Library; Leominster, MA

Taft Public Library; Mendon, MA

Milford Town Library; Milford, MA

Millbury Public Library; Millbury, MA

Oxford Free Library; Oxford, MA

Shrewsbury Free Public Library; Shrewsbury, MA

Jacob Edwards Memorial Library; Southbridge, MA

Warren Public Library; Warren, MA

Chester C. Corbin Public Library; Webster, MA

Merriam-Gilbert Public Library; West Brookfield, MA

Worcester Public Library; Worcester, MA

Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a complimentary media copy, interview, or other PR options. National Stuttering Awareness Week is the second week in May each year. International Stuttering Awareness Day is October 22nd each year.

The Foundation annually gives awards for excellence in reporting about stuttering.  See this page http://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/stuttering-foundation%E2%80%99s-2012-journalism-award-winners

Harrington offers two new procedures

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. -- November 8, 2012 -- Harrington HealthCare System has added two new procedures to the list of minimally invasive surgeries it offers.

Konstantino “Dan” Avradopoulos, M.D., F.A.C.S., a general surgeon and fellowship trained Surgical Oncologist who recently joined Harrington HealthCare System, performs a variety of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive colectomies, known as laparoscopic colectomies, and minimally invasive parathyroidectomies. A parathyroidectomy is the removal of an abnormal parathyroid gland.

In a laparoscopic colectomy, a surgeon uses a small scope to remove a portion of the colon. This operation can be done thru a much smaller incision compared to an open procedure.

“There is no question that patients recover quicker, have smaller incisions, less pain, and are able to leave the hospital sooner compared to the conventional open surgical technique,” said Dr. Avradopoulos, who is part of Harrington Physician Services, an affiliate of Harrington HealthCare System.

Fire ladder truck approved

Republican  incumbent State Representative Peter Durant took three of the four towns in the newly drawn 6^th Worcester District: Dudley, Charlton, and one precinct in Spencer. His Democratic challenger, Charlton selectwoman Kathleen Walker, won the most populous town, Southbridge, but it wasn't enough.

Mr. Durant said he was glad to be done and was ready to go back to work. “I'm happy with the results in Dudley,” he said. “I'm glad the people in Dudley accepted me as their state rep.”

While he did not win Southbridge, he said he was still happy with the results, as on a percentage basis he did better than he did in the 2010 election. He hopes to change minds as he keeps working and doing more. Between now and January when the new House session starts Durant said he will be working on legislation he wants to introduce.

“I'm disappointed that I didn't prevail,” said Ms. Walker, after losing the election.. “We gave it a valiant effort. Over 100 volunteers worked their hearts out. I'm grateful for that and for the over 7,000 people that voted for me.

“I got a lot out of the campaign: I learned a lot, and made many great friends,” she said. “I don't regret any of it. I'm a little more liberal than the people in Charlton and Dudley,” she continued, “and I knew that.” 

Dudley: Durant 2,782; Walker 2,088

Charlton: Durant 3,022; Walker 1,924

Southbridge: Durant 2,951; Walker 3,323

Spencer: Durant 910; Walker 407

Dudley voters signed up to spend $725,000 for a new aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department. Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski had made a compelling case for the new equipment, citing the frequent breakdowns of the current 32-year old ladder truck. While the debt exclusion will add 87 cents to the tax rate, or $182 for the average tax bill, the debt exclusion for the Crawford Library will be paid off in the Spring of 2013, so that taxpayers might actually see a small decrease in their tax bill. Voters approved the question 2,845 to 1,978. 

Voters rejected another proposal on the ballot, a Proposition 2 ½ override for $500,000 to fund various school and town items, including EMS personnel and Police Department overtime. The vote was 2,148 yes and 2,749 no.

Ryan Fattman had the biggest smile in the room at Day's End Tavern in Oxford last night as he received the election results. The Republican incumbent state representative won easily, defeating his Democratic challenger Donald Bourque in each of the four towns in the newly drawn Worcester 18^th District.

“I'm feeling very good,” he said. “I'm looking forward to serving two more years.” He attributed his win to all the doors he knocked  on. In Webster he won all five precincts, a feat that no Republican has achieved in many years. “It's humbling,” he said.

Fattman called his opponent “formidable,” citing Don Bourque's position as chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Webster.

“We feel we were very positive. The country needs to come together, we need to look past parties,” he said.

Bourque was resigned to his defeat. “I'm good,” he said. “The truth is the people have spoken and they have chosen my opponent.

“I ask the people of the district to hold him accountable, to give us what we need.”

Bourque continued, “I still have a job, I'm hiring people every day, I'm still keeping the economy going. We ran a dignified campaign. But we didn't have the money of the big machine.”

Breakdown of votes in each of the towns:

Oxford precincts 1 and 4: Fattman 2,331; Bourque 804

Sutton: Fattman 3,933; Bourque 1,254

Douglas: Fattman 3,151; Bourque 1,171 (unofficial)

Webster: Fattman 3,976; Bourque 2,500

Total: Fattman 13,391; Bourque 5,729

Webster has 11,636 registered voters, of which 6,755 voted, a 58% turnout. In other contested races, President Barack Obama won the town with 3,476 votes versus Mitt Romney's 3,111. Senator Scott Brown won the vote in Webster with 3,804 versus 2,925 for challenger Elizabeth Warren.

In Oxford precincts 1 and 4, Mitt Romney took the win with 3,261 votes versus 3,125 for President Obama. In the Senate contest, Brown received 3,926 votes versus 2,566 for Warren.