MIDDLEBORO — A summer tradition returns to downtown Middleboro in August, when a group of local residents plan to hold a new version of the popular Four Corners block party that was known as Krazy Days.

Details for the event are still being formulated, but it will be held the weekend of Aug. 3-4.

Middleborough on the Move, the sponsoring organization, has announced that the Paso Fino horses from Paso Fino Del Fuego Farm in Middleboro will be performing at Krazy Days on Friday, Aug. 3. These gaited horses and their colorfully costumed riders have appeared in the Plymouth Thanksgiving Day parade and most recently were the biggest hit at the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade. They were so well received that they have already been invited to return next year.

Paso Fino del Fuego was incorporated for business in 1973 by Mr. Yunits and Michael Bruce, the award-winning trainer at the farm, which has grown to 14 acres over the past 37 years. Mr. Yunits and Mr. Bruce have won multiple national and Grand National championships and are recognized as top riders by other professionals.

“We are very pleased to be able to participate in Krazy Days,” said Bobby Yunits, manager of Paso Fino Del Fuego Farm. “Paso Fino horses are people-oriented and are known for their agility and intelligence.”

Children and adults alike will enjoy their performance.

Paso Finos are originally from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela. Breeders in these areas had no need for large horses, as the native peoples were not large of stature themselves. They did, however, take great pride in the appearance of their horses and execution of gait, so they bred to enhance these characteristics. The Paso Fino became a horse that carried itself with much pride, or “brio” and the unique rapid footfall of the classic Fino became prized in their native lands.

The Middleboro farm is a full-service training facility offering training in pleasure riding as well as show ring performance. They also offer horses for sale.

The Cranberry Country Chamber Recognition Awards were handed out at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting January 26, 2012 at the Riverside. Pictured are George Randall, owner of Randall Electric presented with the “Chamber Member Community Award”, Julia Dixon, owner of Pet Recess as “Volunteer of the Year”, Matthew Falconeiri accepting the award for Falconeiri Construction as the “Business of the Year”, and Judy Bigelow-Costa as “Chamber Partner Community Award”. All of the recipients have given to the Chamber in various ways as well as running professional organizations that have enhanced our community. Our State Representative Keiko Orrall was present and Senator Pacheco attended to present the recipients with Official State Citations. Congratulations! New Chamber Chairman, Frank McDonald, Senior Executive Director of the Old Colony YMCA Middleborough and Taunton, rolled out the Chamber’s exciting three year strategic plan. One hundred and twenty chamber members were in attendance!

MIDDLEBOROUGH ON THE MOVE: held its second Christmas Basket Raffle this holiday season.

January 19, 2012 11:30 AMTo the Editor:

Middleboro on the Move (MOM) held our second Christmas basket raffle, again starting during the parade Nov. 26 and continuing at the Eastern Bank offices until Dec. 19.

We would like to thank the Christmas Tree Shops for their generosity in supplying the baskets and contents and the Eastern Bank offices for displaying the baskets.

We would also like to thank Jeffrey Cornell, who donated a huge box of fresh cranberries from his bog for us to sell at the Christmas parade.

The tickets were drawn at the Eastern Bank on Rte. 18 and the winners of the 11 baskets are Stacy Mills, Patty Stagliola, Phyllis Vincent, Cheryl Kutzy, Karen Blair, Jean Philla, Ana Romaro, Susan Pinkham, Donna Zale, Betty Chu, and Jane Pacitto.

And we would like to thank all the downtown merchants who sold and displayed our Christmas ornament of the Sacred Heart Church: Maria’s Card Shop, Eastern Bank, The Custom Decorator, Michelle’s Hair, Etc., Adam Bond Law Office and the Gregory Scot Jewelry, and of course, Sacred Heart parish.

Middleboro on the Move

By JANE LOPES

Editor

MIDDLEBORO — After several failed attempts — one of which resulted in an unauthorized demolition — the selectmen will try again to find someone to redevelop the former Washburn Grain Mill property.

The historic Center Street site, which once contained the 1899 National Register grain mill building as well as the 19th-century freight house that is still standing, is the subject of a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the town this month. Prospective developers have until March 2 to submit proposals that meet criteria set by the selectmen, including some preference to be given to proposals that call for the restoration and reuse of the freight house.

A walk-through of the site and building is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan, 26. Questions regarding the RFP and walk-through must be submitted to the town manager’s office at the Town Hall by Feb. 9.

The town took possession of the approximately 2.6-acre property from the Washburn family in 1998 for non-payment of about $120,000 in back taxes and has been trying to find an appropriate reuse ever since.

A number of proposals have been presented over the years, and in 2003 the selectmen agreed to turn over the site and buildings to Daniel Costello of Costello Dismantling. Mr. Costello told local officials he planned to use the property for his salvage business.

He was authorized by the Historical Commission to demolish a portion of the grain mill building but wound up taking down the entire structure. The property was ultimately retained by the town.

The Historical Commission, which met with Town Manager Charles Cristello in the fall, expressed support for a clause in the new RFP that would give “extra credit” to proposals calling for the preservation of the freight house. The two-story, 156-by 35-foot building has suffered some damage from a roof leak over the years. Environmental and structural studies were commissioned by the town in 1999.

Other criteria that will be considered by the selectmen include the economic viability of proposals and the impact a proposed project would have on the economic vitality of the Everett Square area. Local officials have long considered the grain mill property to be a potential catalyst for the revitalization of the area.

MIDDLEBORO — Middleborough on the Move has added the 2011 edition to its collector’s series of holiday ornaments depicting historic downtown buildings. The latest features Sacred Heart Church.

Rev. Richard P. Crowley, pastor, writes of the church: “Before 1870 Catholics traveled to Bridgewater and Taunton for Mass. In 1870 Masses were held monthly in the small hall over the general store of Colonel Peter H. Pierce (now the police station) where the worshipers sat upon boxes and crates and prayed for a Catholic Church in Middleborough. Permission for this was given in 1873, but difficulty in obtaining enough money to build postponed the actual building for seven years.

“On July 12, 1881, Archbishop John J. Williams blessed the cornerstone and dedicated the small, humble but attractive wooden building named the Sacred Heart Church on the site of the current parish rectory.

“The beautiful, red brick English style Gothic church of today was constructed in 1917 — 1918. On June 9, 1918 William Cardinal O’Connell blessed the cornerstone and dedicated the church. In the Fall of 2005 the faith community at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Rochester became part of Sacred Heart Parish, which now encompasses 107 square miles.’

The ornaments are available for $19.95 each at the Sacred Heart Church, at both Eastern Bank branches, Maria’s Card Shop, The Custom Decorator, Michelle’s Hair, Etc. and the Gregory Scot Jewelry store in downtown Middleboro.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111215/PUB04/112150402

December 15, 2011 11:31 AM

MIDDLEBORO —It is no secret that a major public education agenda item at the state level is to promote readiness of high school graduates for success in college and careers. The agenda incorporates strategies that are being implemented at the elementary and secondary school level, the higher education level and, quite often, jointly by both sectors.
Eastern Bank, Massasoit Community College and Middleboro High School recently created a program that provides support so that Middleboro High School students can reach their goals.
“In these challenging economic times, it is more important than ever to work together to provide students with these opportunities,” said John Wainwright, branch manager, Eastern Bank Middleboro, during a meeting of the three organizations on Monday morning.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 for this initiative.
Massasoit’s Dean of Academic Advising, Assessment, and K-12 Outreach Peter Johnston is working closely with the high school staff. “We have been able to work with staff and faculty in the school to find out what their needs are and to customize a program that serves the most students,” he stated. “These targeted grants [such as Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation's] help us build relationships with our partner schools that go far beyond the specific grant-funded activities.”
Recently, as part of a professional day for MHS faculty and staff, a group of 13 faculty and staff members from Massasoit convened a series of conversations about what it means to be “college ready.” They started with small group discussions across disciplines in which high school and college faculty identified characteristics of “college ready” students and came up with definitions of “college readiness.” The day ended with a discussion on specific strategies for promoting “college readiness.”
“This mutual effort reflects the larger statewide and national focus on ‘college readiness’,” stated Dr. Charles Wall, president of Massasoit Community College. “We are helping students become ‘college ready’ and prepare to meet their educational goals whether or not they ultimately attend Massasoit.”
One of the primary strategies for promoting college readiness is early Accuplacer college placement testing.
“The grant provided by Eastern Bank was also used to purchase Accuplacer licenses for the high school, and they have already tested the vast majority of their 11th graders,” Dean Johnston added.
The Accuplacer is not used just at Massasoit Community College; it is the common placement exam throughout the Commonwealth. In the spring, a section of Massasoit’s College Experience class will be offered at the high school, during the day. Students will receive both high school and college credit for the course. The course and course materials will be covered by the grant and free to students.
There are several other opportunities which will be offered through the support of Eastern Bank, such as on-the-spot admissions and financial aid workshops, reduced cost dual enrollment, and some scholarship awards.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111215/PUB04/112150401

MIDDLEBORO — Middleborough on the Move has added the 2011 edition to its collector’s series of holiday ornaments depicting historic downtown buildings.

Rev. Richard P Crowley, pastor, writes of the church: “Before 1870 Catholics traveled to Bridgewarter and Taunton for Mass. In 1870 Masses were held monthly in the small hall over the general store of Colonel Peter H. Pierce (now the police station) where the worshipers sat upon boxes and crates and prayed for a Catholic Church in Middleborough. Permission for this was given in 1873, but difficulty in obtaining enough money to build postponed the actual building for seven years.

“On July 12, 1881, Archbishop John J. Williams blessed the cornerstone and dedicated the small, humble but attractive wooden building named the Sacred Heart Church on the site of the current parish rectory.

“The beautiful, red brick English style Gothic church of today was constructed in 1917 — 1918. On June 9, 1918 William Cardinal O’Connell blessed the cornerstone and dedicated the church.

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro on the Move (MOM), the non-profit economic development group, plans to revive an old tradition next summer, former selectman Wayne Perkins told the selectmen Monday night. He said the group is planning to bring back Krazy Days, the sidewalk sales and entertainment event that once took over the Four Corners for two days every summer.

Mr. Perkins said plans call for a two-day event that will be confined to local businesses — the demise of Krazy Days was in part the result of t-shirt vendors and others dominating the offerings in the sale’s final years — but will be opened up to businesses outside the downtown area since the number of commercial establishments around the Four Corners is not what it used to be.

Mr. Perkins said local organizations like the Middleboro Lions and Rotary clubs that were involved in the past will be asked to participate in the revival.

“We feel this will be a community spirit-building thing,” Mr. Perkins said.

The selectmen offered their support for the project.

Mr. Perkins said MOM also has some of its pewter Christmas tree ornaments available from previous years, and this year’s ornament, featuring Sacred Heart Church in honor of its 125th anniversary, is also available. Call Mr. Perkins at 508-947-9391 to order them, or drop a note in MOM’s mailbox in the town clerk’s office.