in exciting SWCL battle

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – Junior Alex Givins-Perry had 20 points, six in the last minute, to lead the Bartlett Indians past the Uxbridge Spartans 71-60 in a fast-paced Southern Worcester County League battle Tuesday (January 22) night.

The Indians, coming off a tough loss at home to Douglas, came out with a different look with sophomore Jacob Simonis making his first varsity start.  Simonis has been playing solid ball for the junior varsity and is capable of giving the varsity some instant offense if they need it.

and regional dispatching, Webster BOS meeting

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER – At its January 22 meeting, the board unanimously accepted the application for a full liquor license at Eastern Pearl Restaurant at 290 Main Street. The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will render final judgment for the license. Board Vice Chair Deborah Keefe clarified to the owners that the license is for the building and not them personally.

Ed Johns approached the board in regard to the donation of a storage shed for the Slater Street field. Johns, a board member of the Webster Lassie League is seeking donations from local businesses for the project. Bay Path School will be erecting the shed once the project has the go ahead. The board will need a strict value of the project before accepting the shed as a gift to the town. Mr. Johns has previously worked on three other similar projects and looks forward to having this one come to fruition.

Rams on seven game winning streak

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – By the time the Oxford Pirates take the court Wednesday night, Jan. 23, against the Shepherd Hill Rams, they will have had a nine-day layoff due the snowstorm, which cancelled their game against Auburn last week.

With a 6-5 record and coming off three straight losses to Southern Worcester County League opponents Tantasqua, Uxbridge, and Quaboag, tonight’s matchup with the Rams is huge.

“We are really looking forward to this game with Shepherd Hill,” said Pirates coach Sean Halloran. “We are coming off this three-game losing streak so we are chomping at the bit to get at them.  I went to see them play the other night and they are a very well coached team, as always.”

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.

Beat Blackstone-Millville earlier in the week

By Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER - The Douglas Tigers took advantage of missed free throws in a foul-filled game and beat the Bartlett Indians 65-63 in a huge upset win on Sunday, January 20.

Things got off to a great start for the Indians with senior co-captain Akeem Belnavis scoring 13 first quarter points, including  three 3-pointers, to help his team open a 20-10 lead.

Junior forward Alex Givins-Perry took over where Belnavis left off in the second quarter, leading the Indians with 15 points as the Indians put together what looked like a solid thirteen point 37-24 half-time lead.

Supt Malkas, Asst Supt. Avlas, DPW's Pizetti weigh in

by Steev Riccardo
Patriot staff

WEBSTER – Today Webster was one of very few school districts in the area to call a snow delay; last week it was the only one that didn't cancel or delay, and that caused a bit of an uproar with town residents, mostly parents, on the Webster public schools’ Facebook page.

Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas, who lives in Worcester, relies on input from Assistant Superintendent Ted Avlas and the Webster Highway Department before making her final decision on whether or not school should be cancelled.

Caroline Bercier receives award

by Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

The Oxford School Committee, like so many others in surrounding towns, went almost directly into executive committee in order to discuss safety precautions in the wake of the shootings in Newtown last month.  Prior to closing the doors to the public at the January 14 meeting, Superintendent Allen Himmelberger introduced his choice for this year’s Worcester County Superintendents' Association (WCSA) Certificate of Academic Excellence winner, Caroline Bercier.

Ms. Bercier, along with 60 other students from around the county, was honored at the Worcester County Scholars luncheon at Clark University the previous week. This award honors the best and the brightest students that Worcester County has to offer.  Himmelberger noted that choosing the recipient and bestowing this award is one of the greatest parts of being a superintendent.  He loves being able to recognize students for their achievements.  He feels it is some of the most gratifying work a superintendent can do.

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.

By Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot correspondent

DUDLEY- Town Planner Nancy Runkle is cautiously optimistic about the town becoming the recipient of an annual grant designated for a broad range of community development needs.

Each year the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers a federally funded competitive grant, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), that offers towns help for programs and projects that assist low income residents with improvements. Monies from the grant also assist in economic and community development.