The Webster Dudley Business Alliance, Isador's Organic Fruit & Deli & Commerce Bank of Webster are partnering together to host a Chili Cook Off on Sunday, March 3 from 12-3 p.m. at Isador's located at 261 Main Street in Oxford. This is the third year Isador's will host the event, which benefits local schools in the tri-town area with all proceeds going to the Hand Fruit Program.

The program was established by Justin Szostakowski, owner of Isador's. “Isador’s Hand Fruit Program raises funds through community events in order to supplement Massachusetts public school lunch programs with organic fruit. Our first event in February of 2010 provided enough fruit for the students of the Oxford Middle School, and has grown since then to include elementary schools in surrounding towns.” Justin also added, “The purpose of the cause is to provide a practical education to young people about the importance of whole food nutrition.” To that end he also speaks with the students and staff about the importance of good nutrition for maintaining a healthy body and mind.”

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.

End ten-year Clark hex

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – The Oxford Pirates won their first Clark Tournament game in almost ten years and advanced to the semi-finals and a marquee match-up with Quaboag with a 52-51 win over a scrappy Maynard Tigers team on Monday afternoon at the George F. Kneller Athletic Center at the Clark University gymnasium.

The Pirates opened a 16-10 first quarter with a balanced scoring attack led by a pair of hoops from senior co-captains Tyler Barrie and Mike James and a 3-pointer by Donny Freeland.

Gigi scores 14

Photos and text by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – The Holy Name Naps led from start to finish and once again dominated the Shepherd Hill Rams 62-39 in a battle between the two top-gten-ranked Central Mass girls teams on Tuesday (February 12) at Holy Name.

By Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas announced this past week that the district has received part of a two million dollar grant from the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative (MMSI).

MMSI is a national program that was endorsed by Massachusetts 5 years ago with the intent to increase student participation in Advanced Placement level courses.  The monies that will come through this grant will support students taking multiple advance placement courses assisting in their payments for exams while also providing a lot of academic support for students taking more advance courses.

MCAS scores improve

By Becky Harvey
Patriot Correspondent

OXFORD - Despite the nasty weather, the freshly plowed Oxford High School welcomed a full roll of the Oxford School Committee on Monday evening.  The meeting commenced with a discussion of the school improvements at Clara Barton by Principal Stephen Baroni.

 The MCAS scores have increased in English Language Arts (ELA) due to extra support, including the addition of a “.5 literacy specialist.”  The school has started an initiative this year, sending home MCAS packets every week.  Parents have responded positively to the program.  In addition to straight-out MCAS work, grade three also sends home weekly literacy packets.  These efforts, along with the addition of leveled reading groups have helped to reinforce language and reading skills.

Beat Shrewsbury, lose to Auburn

By Steev Riccardo

Dudley – The Shepherd Hill girls lost to Auburn 44-31 on Thursday (February 7) but rebounded nicely with a thrilling 49-45 win over Shrewsbury on Sunday (February 10) on seniors night in their last regular season home game.

Senior co-captain Taylor Daniels led the Rams with nine points in the loss to Auburn, while junior Brooke Packard and sophomore Ciara McKissick had eight points a piece.

 

Oxford senior signs with Sacred Heart University

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – When Emily Dawidczyk last week signed her letter of intent to attend Sacred Heart University in the fall to major in nursing and play Division 1 soccer, it was a great moment in Oxford High School history.

Dawidczyk has had nothing less than an incredible sports career at Oxford.  She is the all-time leading scorer (88 goals) in school history in soccer and holds several school and league records in track and field. She is quite possibly the greatest athlete in the school’s history and maybe the best girls’ track runner to ever compete in the Southern Worcester County League.

 

Photos and Text by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – When the Berard family lost their beloved Maine Coon Cat “Blue” in December, they knew they had lost a family member that would be had to replace.

“My wife immediately started searching for another cat for the family to go along with our German Shepherd retriever mix named Kelly and our other cat named Amber”, said Paul Berard, of Newtown CT.  “She looked everywhere and the minute she saw the pictures of “Muffy” and “Fluffy”, she said oh my god they look like “Blue”.