Norton, Massachusetts News & Information - Norton, MA - Bristol County

Archives - June 1, 2009 - June 30, 2009

A Good Woman (Fiction)
Author: Danielle Steel
Review by Shirley Hogan

About the Author
Danielle Steel is probably one of the most popular authors today. She is an international author and has sold over 580 million books. A few of her best sellers include- One Day at a Time, Rogue, Honor Thyself, Amazing Grace and many other novels. A very special novel is His Bright Light about the life and death of her son.

Annabelle Worthington, a nineteen year-old socialite, born and raised into New York society, lived on Fifth Avenue and in Newport, Rhode Island. To everyone else her life seemed perfect until the sinking of the Titanic when her life becomes forever changed. Her volunteer work takes precedence and she finds herself in the worst conditions, nursing the poor. In doing so, she finds her passion lies in medicine.

After what seems like an idyllic marriage, her life goes into a downward spiral, not being able to reveal her husband’s secrets and the end of her marriage. Annabelle flees from New York after being shunned by everyone and throws herself into the horror of WWI. Annabelle finds her true calling and begins her new life in Paris. Becoming a doctor and then a mother, with her past almost forgotten, she is now ready to return for one more visit home to New York. No longer ashamed, she regains her self-respect.

Danielle Steel has done a beautiful job in this novel describing images and historical detail. This novel is not her usual as it takes you in many directions and is never boring. I find her fortitude inspiring to move ahead against all odds.

I rate A Good Woman four and a half out of five stars.

Please email me at: shirley@tauntonweb.com. I may include your comments in my next review.

Click here to read all of Shirley's reviews.

Local Soldier and Family Make Radio Appearance Before His Middle East Deployment

June 16, 2009 - Somerset, MA - The lives of three people will change dramatically over the next few years. Hear how this Thursday, June 18th at 10 a.m. on WSAR 1480 AM.

Originally from Taunton and a 2004 graduate of Wareham High School, U.S. Army PFC Christopher Charette is being deployed to Afghanistan. Before he departs for the Middle East, Chris, his wife Cheri and son Christopher Jr. will be guests on Mid Morning Bristol County with George Colajezzi.

Hear first hand how the Charette family will deal with Chris's deployment and how Cheri will have to cope here at home. You can call in and talk with Cheri and Chris about this life changing experience during the show at (508) 673-1480.

Don't miss a soldier and his family's compelling story.

Caitlin Grant Becomes Fourth Academic All-American in Wheaton History

June 16, 2009 - Norton, MA - Recent Wheaton College graduate Caitlin Grant ( Walpole , MA /Walpole) became just the fourth ESPN The Magazine Academic College Division All-America selection in school history, earning a spot on the at-large second team following a standout lacrosse career. Grant is the first Lyon to place higher than the third team and was the initial Wheaton student-athlete since 2004 to draw an Academic All-America accolade. Qualifiers are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Grant joins Lisa Yenush '90, Dina Terceira '99 and Erin Duffy '05 as the four student-athletes in Wheaton history to draw Academic All-America honors. She was among 46 players selected to the three teams, and one of 15 on the second squad. Grant was also one of seven from a New England school, and one of four hailing from a Division III institution in the region. She was among a trio representing New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) schools.
 
One of the NEWMAC's top scorers, Grant almost matched her career totals from her first three seasons by recording 50 goals and 57 points this spring while appearing in all 16 games. She netted 11 hat tricks, recording at least four goals on six occasions, and at least tied for the team lead in scoring in 10 games. Grant finished ninth in program history in goals (110) and 10th in points (126).

Caitlin Grant

In addition to being selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic College Division All-District I first team, which made her eligible for the national ballot, Grant earned NEWMAC All-Conference honors each of her final two years while landing on the conference's academic all-league team three times. In 2008, she earned a place on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Honor Roll. A Dean's List qualifier during her career, Grant graduated with a degree in economics and a 3.81 cumulative grade-point average.
 
The College Division consists of NCAA Divisions II and III, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and two-year institutions. To be nominated for the Academic All-America program, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in academic standing, possess at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA and be a starter or significant reserve.

A Busy 10 Years for Norton Conservation Agent

June 15, 2009 - Norton, MA - On Saturday, June 6, 2009 the Norton Open Space Committee and the Norton Conservation Commission hosted a picnic at Johnson Acres to acknowledge Jennifer Carlino’s 10-year anniversary as the Norton Conservation Agent.

Highlights of the past ten years include a wildlife habitat evaluation of the Canoe River, the designation of the Three-Mile River as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern, a Frogwatch Program and an evaluation of over 272 town-owned parcels. In 2006, Ms. Carlino received the Environmental Protection Agency’s Individual Environmental Merit Award.

Over 1,204 wetland permits have been reviewed, inspected, monitored and issued since 1999. Eighty-three vernal pools have been certified and over 31 rare species documentation forms have been submitted to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. More than 11 PowerPoint, slide shows and speaking engagements have been offered to residents ranging in topics from vernal pools to wetland protection. Ms. Carlino has led more than 65 nature walks and canoe trips offered at no cost to residents. Nearly 1500 acres of land have been permanently preserved through donation, tax title transfer, conservation restriction or conservation easement for conservation, passive recreation or watershed protection. The biodiversity list for the town now exceeds 755 species of plants and animals identified during nature walks, canoe trips and wetland inspections. Twelve (12) State, Federal and private grants have been obtained by Ms. Carlino totaling $725,525.00 for land purchases, equipment, forestry projects, water conservation and a Xeroscape demonstration garden.

The Open Space and Recreation Plan (updated in 2005) is currently being updated for the 2010 deadline. The Open Space Committee is leading the efforts to update the plan and welcomes comments from residents. There are also two available seats on the Committee. Please contact the Conservation Office at 508-285-0275 if you are interested in being on the committee or helping with the Open Space Plan.

Cygnets Causing a Stir on Reservoir Street

June 13, 2009 - Norton, MA - These new additions at the Norton Reservoir are quite popular, causing traffic jams on Reservoir Street from curious residents and well-wishers. Swans normally mate for life, though they are known to sometimes "divorce", particularly following nesting failure. The number of eggs in a clutch ranges from three to eight.

"Thank you" to Donna Belinsky for submitting these photos. Submit your swan or other interesting  photos of Norton to news@nortonreporter.com.

Norton Open Space Committee Receives Grant

NEED, Inc. Announces Poetry Contest Winner 

June 10, 2009 - Norton, MA - Norton High School Junior, Laura Ready, received a $25 award from NEED (Norton Embracing Educational Development, Inc.) member Gretchen Stalters for winning a poetry contest.

NEED, Inc. is a non-profit school advocacy group supporting programs in the school system via a yearly granting process.  NEED, Inc. in collaboration with Norton High School English teachers solicited students to participate in the poetry contest by submitting a poem about the importance of teachers. The poem will be featured on a special "Thank You Card" for Norton Teachers in June.

"Thank A Teacher" is one of NEED's annual fundraisers in which a $5 donation from students or families is made to NEED, Inc. This donation is in dedication to a specific teacher. In return a thank you card is forwarded to the teacher listing the families or students that donated in their name. Over $1900 was raised this year. Previous fundraisers have enabled the foundation to grant over $20,000 in the past two years to the Norton Public Schools for educational programs. This current fundraiser will contribute towards future grants that NEED, Inc. is allocating later this month.

The Educators

The goal of all teachers -to educate young minds,
With equal opportunities for all kinds.
Providing extra help and advice along the way,
Growing and learning together each day.
Care, support and determination,
These are our teachers throughout the nation!

Norton High School Model Senate Visits the State House

June 9, 2009 - Boston, MA - Representative Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield) recently hosted the Norton High School Model Senate and history teacher Paul Duff at the Massachusetts State House. Mr. Duff has been teaching at Norton High School for many years and is enthusiastic about getting young people involved in government.

The group was able to sit in on a Revenue Committee hearing with Representative Barrows, enjoyed a full tour of the State House as well as witnessing the President of Ireland’s presence in the building. Representative Barrows said that he thoroughly enjoyed hearing from the group, "It is always interesting to hear from students, they bring a different and valuable perspective to the table, and it is critical to hear what issues are important to them."

Pictured (L-R): Norton teacher Mr. Duff, Emerson Almeida, Savannah Araju, Julia Ariola, Dean Kennedy, Owen Voelker (club president), Brad McKeen and Representative Jay Barrows.

Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Business to Foxborough: Lodge at Foxborough

Front Row: State Representative Jay Barrows, Kara Griffin, Executive Director Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, Julie Anderson, Leasing Consultant, Erin McAvoy, Leasing Consultant, Heather Alesbrook, Property Manager, Ryan Fontaine, Leasing Director, Jim Conant, Board of Directors Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce

Back Row:  Melissa Greene, Maintenance, David Torry, Maintenance Supervisor, John Bates the Job Guy, Susan Hale Courtyard by Marriott

Jay Barrows State Representative and Board of Directors at the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce with Heather Alesbrook, Property Manager of Lodge at Foxborough

12^th Annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest

June 8, 2009 - Boston, MA - State Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleborough) is pleased to inform her constituents that the National Foundation for Women Legislators, in collaboration with the National Rifle Association, is sponsoring their 12^th Annual nationwide Bill of Rights Essay Contest. The essay surrounds the theme of the ‘The Audacity of Change: the evolving role of women in politics and the media, and how those changes relate to the constitution.’

The scholarship committee will weigh four specific elements in submissions: 1) story-telling ability, especially expressive and dramatic stories, 2) how much your writing inspires its audience, 3) how clearly you understand the U.S. Bill of Rights, and 4) how much original insight you convey about fundamental changes in the perception of individual rights and how our Constitutional rights can enable a woman to actuate those individual rights.

The seven contest winners will each receive a $3,000 college scholarship as well as an all-expense paid trip to NFWL’s Annual Conference this September, where the contest winners will be able to network with, be mentored by and speak to hundreds of women lawmakers from across the United States. To be eligible for this essay contest, applicants must be college-bound female high school juniors or seniors, from either the Class of 2009 or the Class of 2010. The applicant, if determined to be one of the contest winners, must be able to attend and accept the award at the National Foundation for Women Legislators’ Annual Conference this fall (September 3-7 at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo just outside Albuquerque, New Mexico) and is required to secure a state legislator as your sponsor and that legislator must also agree to attend the entire conference with you. The essay must be received by Friday, July 13, 2009. Please mail the essay to NFWL/NRA Essay Contest, c/o National Foundation for Women Legislators, Inc., 910 16^th Street, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20006.

"This is an excellent opportunity for high school females to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of current issues, public policy and develop their leadership skills while having the opportunity to earn either a $2,500 or $3,000 college scholarship," stated Representative Poirier.

If you are interested in becoming an applicant for either of the aforementioned scholarship contests and would like to receive an application as well as detailed information, you may contact either Representative Poirier or NFWL Scholarship Committee. Representative Poirier may be contact by phone at 617-722-2976, by fax at 617-626-0108, by email at Rep.ElizabethPoirier@hou.state.ma.us or by writing to Room 541, State House, MA 02133. The NFWL Scholarship Committee may be contacted at the NFWL offices at 202-293-3040 x 1006, by fax at 202-293-5430, by email at scholarships@womenlegislators.org as well as logging on to www.womenlegislators.org.

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