By Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

Kosta Karamanakis, student representative to the Dudley-Charlton School Committee, started off last  Wednesday’s  meeting with a report of his visit to the presidential inauguration in Washington DC.  He returned only just before the meeting.  He was part of a Student Council program that invites select students to take part in a very special program.  Later in the meeting he read a thank you to the committee for its efforts to make the schools a safer place.  Karamanakis made sure to say that it isn’t the role of just the school committee, but of the entire school community, including students, who are responsible for creating a safe environment.

Friday, 10-1, at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard 

Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard, 340 Thompson Road in Webster, invites the local community on Friday, February 1 to free blood pressure screenings in its main lobby from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will help celebrate National Go Red Day, with information on cardiac health, nutrition and exercise. In the event of inclement weather, event will be postponed.

Jan 26: Virginia Richert of Dudley and Lyndsay Makie of Webster to participate

BOSTON - Over 300 eighth graders representing the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns will conveneSaturday, January 26,for the annual launch of Project 351 and day of service.   As part of Project 351, student “Ambassadors” from across Massachusetts will unite to serve and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.   Launched during Governor Deval Patrick’s inaugural in 2010, Project 351 is dedicated to celebrating youth leadership and inspiring the ethic of service.

Governor Patrick will again host a Youth Town Meeting this year, before joining Ambassadors for an afternoon of service at five non-profit and educational organizations across Boston.  The day will conclude at the State House where Ambassadors and the Governor will reflect on the day and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

The young people participating were all nominated by education leaders in their hometowns, based on their exemplary service ethic and spirit of generosity.

6^th Annual Webster Lake Ice-Out Contest
Einstein will take to the ice Jan. 27

Einstein is back! The Webster Lake Association is sponsoring its 6^th annual Ice-Out contest. Proceeds will benefit the Webster Lake Association and the Webster Education Foundation.

Einstein will be placed in Lakeview Marine Cove on Sunday, January 27^th at noon. There is a forty pound weight attached to him. When the ice melts enough for the weight to drop into the water an attached rope will set off the timer. The winners will be determined by whoever guesses closest to the exact month, date, hour, and minute. Tickets are $5.00 and entrants must be 18 years old. This year the prize money is to be a total of $4,000.

By Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – It was a fine homecoming (sort of) for Gigi Guenther as she led the Holy Name Naps past the Shepherd Hill Rams 46-22 with 17 points and eight rebounds on Thursday night at Shepherd Hill.

Guenther, who grew up in Webster and attended St Ann’s School, came off the bench and played superb basketball in front a large crowd that included many of her family and friends. In fact some of those “friends” happened to be wearing maroon and gold uniforms and were on the other side of the court.

Eight Nichols seniors have been recognized by the publication Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, which identifies students who have distinguished themselves on both the academic and extracurricular fronts.

The students  (pictured in front of Conrad Hall with Nichols President Susan West Engelkemeyer) were nominated last fall by the College’s faculty and administrators.  They include Briana Dellamura, Crystal Dennison, Ryan Flavin, Thomas Haggerty, Catherine Jaworski, Stephen Mack, Stefany Mendez, and Megan Woodruff.

Dudley Charlton School District

All DC school district parents are invited to a special school safety meeting to be held at the Charlton Middle School at 6:00 p.m.  The school committee, administrators, and and local police and fire chiefs will participate in the discussion of safety measures for the schools.

Sales to raise funds to help humanitarian causes locally and internationally.

WEBSTER, Massachusetts (Dec. 10, 2012) — The Rotary Club of Webster-Dudley has teamed up with fellow Rotarian/inspirational contemporary realist oil painter, Renee Dumont, to raise funds to help humanitarian causes locally and internationally.  Beginning with this holiday season, the first in an historical series of postcards created from gorgeous oil paintings expressing  the appreciation of the Native American heritage here on Webster Lake are being sold. 100% of the postcard sales will be donated by the artist.

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., January 10, 2013-- Harrington Hospital is taking additional steps to protect its patients from the flu.

Children 16 and under will not be allowed to visit patients at Harrington Hospital beginning Monday, January14. In addition, each patient will be limited to two healthy visitors at a time.

"Flu season is upon us and, as always, the safety of our patients is of primary concern to us,” said Harrington HealthCare System President and CEO Edward H. Moore. “The flu is a very serious illness, and this is one of the most severe flu seasons we have seen in this region in several years.

“It’s not too late to get a flu vaccination,” Moore said. “Flu season typically peaks in the winter and can last until spring.”

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – For the past seven years Bartlett high school head coach Tony Paranto and Bartlett High School have been hosting the Bob Paranto Holiday Tournament during Christmas school vacation, and it has become of a big hit in these parts.

St. Louis School, Thompson Middle School, Bartlett Junior High and Middle School, and St. Joseph’s School all played in the tournament this year which, among its many positives, helps support two Bartlett High School scholarships.