WEBSTER – State Representative Ryan Fattman has used the month of December to reacquaint himself with the town of Webster since winning re-election on November 6th.

“ The last few weeks, I’ve spent a great deal of time going around Webster to various community events. Webster residents are wonderful and have been very welcoming,”  said Fattman.

WORCESTER– The Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) Criminal Justice club recently had the honor to host a special presentation by Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. During his visit on December 12^th, the Sheriff spoke about the importance of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education, community service programs, and preventative programs such as his innovative and effective Face2FaceProgram, which he has personally presented to over 37,000 middle and high school students from throughout Worcester County to discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol use.  In addition, on that same night Sheriff Evangelidis inducted nineteen new members into the QCC Criminal Justice Club.   QCC’s main campus is located in Worcester with a satellite office in Southbridge.  Many members of the QCC Criminal Justice Club live in the Dudley-Webster area.

Score 60-55 in second win

by Steev Riccardo

NORTHBRIDGE – The Bartlett Indians scored the first 14 points of the second half and erased a 13-point lead and went on to stifle the Northbridge Rams 60-55 in overtime in a battle of two of the Southern Worcester County League’s strongest teams, on Friday night.

The Indians looked strong early, opening an 11-4 lead sparked by a thunderous dunk by senior co-captain Akeem Belnavis, holding on to a 11-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The powerful Rams were not to be denied and put together a big second quarter, outscoring the Indians 21-6 mostly due to the dominant inside play of sophomore Antonio Becerril, who scored 13 points. 

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

WEBSTER — As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, be reminded that the Webster Police Department will increase enforcementfrom December 14, 2012 to January 1, 2013, arresting anyone caught driving drunk. The Webster Police Department will join more than 48 local law enforcement agencies and the Massachusetts State Police through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, funded by a federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division.  

“We know that the holiday season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in drunk driving,” said Chief Timothy Bent. “Don’t let your 2012 end in an arrest or worse, death.  It’s not worth the risk!”

Harrington HealthCare System held a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 4 with biotech company Roche to launch their new laboratory equipment. The cobas analyzer series has proven reliable in striking the balance between high standards and efficiency. The clinical analyzer and immunoassay analyzer expands the laboratory's operations and adjusts to busy workloads. Pictured are members of Harrington's laboratory staff as well as Roche representatives. Congratulations on the enhanced testing capabilities!

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The Patriot newspaper is sponsoring a Made in America toy hunt contest for kids ages 6-12. To participate, find any type of toys, such as board games, plush toys, electronic games, that are made in the USA. If possible, take a picture of the toy, UPC code, and Made in America logo. Otherwise, write the name of the item, UPC code, and state that it was made in the USA.

The person who sends in the most items will win the grand prize of $150 worth of toys or cash. The second place winner will receive $100 in toys or cash, and the third place winner gets $50 in toys or cash.

Parents may assist their kids in the hunt.

Photo: Hometown Bank President and CEO Matthew S. Sosik (right) and Vice President of Communication Joe Klimavich present a check to Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer Lisa Piehler.

November 26, 2012- Representatives from Hometown Bank presented a check for $3,000 to the American Red Cross of Central MA for Sandy relief on Tuesday, November 20. The company was moved to action by the extensive damage caused by Superstorm Sandy and the massive relief operation launched by the American Red Cross. Hometown Bank President and CEO Matthew S. Sosik said the money was raised in one day with donations from employees and directors, and matching funds from the bank. “We wanted to do something in support of our neighbors affected by the storm in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey,” he said. “You never know. The next time around, the shoe could be on the other foot.”

“We cannot sufficiently express our gratitude for this kind donation,” said Lisa Piehler, Red Cross of Central and Western MA CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of Hometown Bank and other community partners, the Red Cross has been able to help people since before Sandy made landfall, and will continue to help for weeks to come as families get back on their feet.”

This is likely to be the largest Red Cross response in the U.S. in the past five years. Nearly 5,100 Red Cross workers are supporting shelters and providing meals and supplies at fixed sites and driving through neighborhoods. Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the Red Cross has—

·        Served 6.6 million meals and snacks

·        Distributed 3.9 million relief items, such as hygiene items, cleaning supplies, flashlights, rakes, shovels, tarps, dust masks, work gloves and cold weather items

·        Provided more than 77,000 overnight shelter stays

·        Made more than 77,000 health services and emotional support contacts

·        Mobilized more than 10,500 trained workers from all 50 states; about 90 percent of these workers are volunteers

While the local community wasn’t affected heavily by Sandy, many local people have volunteered in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The Red Cross sent over 50 volunteers on one to three day assignments to Connecticut to assist with damage assessment. There are also several staff and volunteers in New York and New Jersey on long term assignments (2-3 weeks) assisting with sheltering, government relations and client casework. More than 20 staff and volunteers deployed to NY and NJ on long term assignments. Many have returned following two week deployments.

About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcrosscwm.org or join our blogat http://masslive.com/red-cross-connectionorhttp://americanredcrossofcentralma.wordpress.com/

Photo Cutline:Hometown Bank President and CEO Matthew S. Sosik (right) and Vice President of Communication Joe Klimavich present a check to Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer Lisa Piehler.

Small Business Saturday

Photo: Booklover’s Gourmet saw a striking increase in sales over last year’s Small Business Saturday.

By Charles Kelleher Harris

Across the nation millions of shoppers patronized local and small businesses during one of the busiest weekends in retail history. Falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday was designed to help promote support for small and locally owned business in towns and cities nationwide.

“We had a very busy morning,” reported Carla Manzi owner of Webster Lake Gifts.

Manzi said that Webster Lake Gifts, which has been open for eight years owed much of its successful Small Business Saturday to area residents who look to boost town revenue.

“People recognize the need to support local businesses,” Manzi said.

At Oxford’s The Purple Lady, owned by Bettie Carlson, shoppers were “sporadic” according to Carlson.

Carlson, who opened The Purple Lady about 18 months ago, said that garnering patronage was difficult for most small business owners.

“The challenge is trying to bring people in without spending [too much] on advertising,” she stated.

Still, Carlson reported steady sales thanks largely to word of mouth and social media websites.

Carlson also said she had shoppers from, not only Oxford, but Sturbridge, Spencer and Auburn.

Booklover’s Gourmet saw a striking increase in sales over last year’s Small Business Saturday.

“I did more than double than last year on this day,” said owner Debra Horan, “It was busy non-stop until closing time.”

Horan said her store was visited by regulars, out of towners and brand new faces.

After 18 years of operation, Horan feels that she has a unique offering to the community.

“I enjoy…offering a cultural gathering place by displaying local artists’ work and featuring local authors.”

DJ’s Sportcards in Oxford saw less of an influx on Saturday.

Owner for 21 years, Richard Polletta, said that sales were “good” but added that the recession had affected his business.
Polletta observed that while people struggle to pay their bills, hobbies such as card collecting and sports memorabilia were less of a priority.

“[But] business has picked up in the last two months,” said Polletta, who went on to comment that this Saturday he saw an increase of about 30 percent over last year’s sales. 

Polletta also credited social media and online sales with helping to keep his business afloat.

Mike Richford and Jeff Chamberland, owners of Mike and Jeff’s House of Bargains, also reported an increase in traffic over the weekend.

“We have seen a lot of people we haven’t seen before,” Richford said.

Chamberland said that in the two years since the House of Bargains opened the difficulty had been in snagging local spenders.

“There is a challenge in maintaining a customer base,” Chamberland observed.

Both owners said that increased advertizing both in print and online had aided in helping them achieve a “pretty decent day compared to last year.”

All of the local business owners interviewed said that there were challenges to running a small business, especially in the recent economic crisis. But they maintain a positive outlook.

“I do feel optimistic that the tide is turning back towards shopping locally as people realize how independent businesses contribute to the health and diversity of their community,” said Horan.

Manzi concurred saying, “People are spending money and that is encouraging.”