Middleborough On The Move

Volunteers to replace vets’ flags needed

judy — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:48:55 +0000

MIDDLEBORO—The date set to replace veterans cemetery flags is Saturday, May 5 with a rain date of Saturday, May 19. This is the first of several events to commemorate Memorial Day. The day starts at 7 a.m. upstairs at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2188 on Station Street with a free breakfast for all that attend hosted jointly by John F. Glass VFW Post 2188, the Simeon L. Nickerson American Legion Post 64 and the Oak Point Veterans’ Association. Volunteers move on from the VFW as groups to the various cemeteries around town, and finish up prior to lunch. All local groups and residents are invited to volunteer for this task.

Call Paul Provencher, director of veterans’ services, at 508-946-2407 to sign up. Callers are asked to leave a message with name, phone number, and the expected number of participants from their organization or group. Mr. Provencher will return the call. He can also be reached by email at pjpro2000@yahoo.com. Volunteers should write “volunteering to help with cemetery flags” in the subject line.

LETTER: All Are Welcome Community Kitchen thanks the community

judy — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:04:12 +0000

Wicked Local Halifax

Posted Mar 23, 2012 @ 06:00 AM

All Are Welcome Community Kitchen would like to thank all of those who helped us celebrate the grand opening Saturday, March 17. All Are Welcome is a donation café sponsored by the Church of Our Savior, Episcopal, Middleborough.
Our core group of volunteers was kept busy by the steady stream of guests who enjoyed a special Irish breakfast menu, including corned beef hash and Irish soda bread, eggs, pancakes and more.
The positive response received for our program brought diners and volunteers from Middleborough, Plymouth, West Bridgewater and many other towns.
Our goal is to provide quality, nutritious meals to those who are struggling by encouraging the support of those able to donate a requested amount for a meal. Continuing support from the wider community, like we had at our grand opening, will help us meet our goal! We are always looking for more people willing to support our mission. Feel free to contact us at www.allarewelcome.us or by phone at 508-443-0243.
Thank you again to all who joined us for or first community meal…and if you missed this week, we’ll be serving breakfast every Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Our Savior Parish Hall, 60 Union St., Middleborough, MA. – Karen J. Cook, Founder, All Are Welcome, Middleborough

Spirited Speakers Toastmasters Club

judy — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:26:31 +0000

Butterflies in your stomach
when you have to speak in front of others?

Spirited Speakers Toastmasters Club

cordially invites you

to meet our members and attend a meeting

at our

OPEN HOUSE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

TIME: *** 6:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

WHERE: Massasoit Community College – Middleboro

49 Union Street

Middleboro, MA 02346

Open House Drawings for Guests Only

YOU could win a 6-MONTH MEMBERSHIP!

(a $48 value!)

Contact: spiritedspeakers@ymail.com for more info

*** We appreciate your arrival at 6:45 so as not to interrupt the meeting in progress

All are Weclome Grand Opening

judy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:22:58 +0000

Veterans’ Expo 2012 planned in Middleboro

judy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:27:15 +0000

February 16, 2012 10:55 AM

MIDDLEBORO—The veterans’ outreach committee of the Middleborough Lodge of Elks will be hosting their first Veterans’ Expo from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 in their main function room at 21 High St. in Middleboro. They have been working with Paul Provencher, the director of veterans’ services for the town, and Shirley Jackson, the VA minority veterans’ coordinator from the VA Boston Health Care System to make this a “one stop, everything you should know” event for veterans and their family members from around the area regardless of what town or city they are from. Mr. Provencher and Ms. Jackson are bringing in representatives from many of the departments of the VA health care system, VA disabilities and pensions department, and many community based businesses and organizations that work with veterans. Even the National Cemetery in Bourne will be present to answer questions and deal with issues related to interment of veterans and their spouses.

New departments of the VA health care system dealing with home health assistance for veterans that are shut-ins will also be available at the expo.

The local veterans employment representatives from the area career centers (unemployment office) will also be present to work with unemployed veterans to assist in guiding back towards being employed.

Experts in attendance will include VA health care enrollment specialists; veterans’ services officers to answer questions related to state assistance available for veterans and their family members; VA regional office experts dealing with VA disability and pension claims; GI Bill representatives for educational programs; VA vocational rehabilitation counselors dealing with retraining of veterans that are service connected disabled; and Vet Center counselors that assist veterans with post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and sexual trauma.

Also, there will be a representative from the Upward Bound Program, which is another educational program available for certain veterans; VA women’s health program coordinator to assist female veterans within the VA health care system; coordinators from the VA that assist Vietnam veterans in scheduling free Agent Orange evaluations and treatment; VA facilitators that deal with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans; PGW I and Vietnam veteran Information; VA BHCS employment for veterans; a veterans’ employment representative (LVER) from the local One Stop Career Center; a representative from the VA national cemetery in Bourne; a person from the GI Bill home loan program. On the civilian side, the organizers are also working on bringing in experts on fuel assistance, Mass Health, a SHINE counselor from the local COA to address issues dealing with seniors, and a member of the local housing authority to help veterans and their family members with issues related housing within the community.

For more information on any of the areas that will be covered, call Paul Provencher at 508-946-2407.

Veterans should bring a copy of their DD214 to the expo in case they need it. Veterans who do not have this document should check with Mr. Provencher.

Annual Meeting and Recognition Luncheon!

judy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:54:57 +0000

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!

Middleboro on the Move thanks businesses for raffle Donations

judy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:10:54 +0000

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

RUN FOR YOUR LUNCH 5.5k

judy — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:50:49 +0000

THANK YOU!

The first RUN FOR YOUR LUNCH 5.5Kwas a fabulous success! Despite frigid temps we had over 120 participants run or walk 5.5K to help All Are Welcome progress towards being able to open our doors and relieve food insecurity in our communities!

Our runners came from the North Shore, South Shore, Cape Cod and a few from out-of-state to help our cause! For a little while, it looked like we had a field of Eskimos – but you’ll be happy to know there were no reported injuries or frostbite to our athletes!

Congratulations to our top 3 overall finishers

(Male):

RYAN DAVENPORT – 19:25.1
FRANK NELSON 20:21.3
ADAM PETTI – 20:37.7

(Female):

ISSY NEILSON – 22:05.1
IVY LOFTUS – 24:20.8
ROSA EVORA – 24:28.2.

The Volunteers and Supporters who made this happen are way too numerous to mention by name because every task that gets accomplished for an event like this is important, no matter how big or how small it seems at the time. THANK YOU ALL, for your commitment, your energy and your enthusiasm for helping bring our vision to reality. We owe a special thank you to the NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH for allowing us to over-run their space for the day and the week in advance of our race! Without their hospitality, we couldn’t have had the wonderful day that we did!

Through your generous gifts and support we are well on our way to being able to target an OPENING DAY for our community kitchen!

We’re looking forward to growing on this event, reaching out to a larger population and being able to offer relief to those in need! Keep an eye on ALL ARE WELCOME for more good things to come and don’t forget to save the date for the 2013 RUN FOR YOUR LUNCH 5.5k!

Middleboro woman opening community cafe to help those in needy

judy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:09:08 +0000

MIDDLEBORO —

A local woman with a vision to feed the hungry is opening a community cafe where patrons will pay what they can afford.

Karen J. Cook, 43, of Middleboro, is holding a fundraiser on Sunday to benefit the All Are Welcome Community Kitchen and Bakery Inc., where she will be executive director.

“Everything will be freshly prepared, with restaurant-quality service. It’s not leftovers. It’s not seconds,” said Cook, who previously worked at a food pantry at a Plymouth church and was a manager at Papa Gino’s in Middleboro.

Middleboro’s unemployment rate – which was 7.6 percent in November, the most recent figure available – confirmed for Cook that “there’s hungry people real close by.”

Cook said her restaurant, which will open in February, is based on a grassroots model from the One World Everybody Eats Foundation.

“I will be the 19th in the nation,” Cook said.

Initially, she will serve lunch two days a week and breakfast on Saturdays at the Church of Our Saviour’s parish hall, 60 Union St. Her goal is to serve at least 50 people a day, but there’s room to feed 200, she said.

Cook said she will volunteer her time at first and won’t collect a salary until donations cover 30 percent of the costs. Currently, Cook is the lone volunteer.

To run the kitchen, she will apply for grants, seek local donations, ask local colleges to supply interns and hold fundraising events.

The cost of meals will range from $10 to $15 and be posted on a blackboard.

“If customers can afford a meal, great. If they can only afford $8, we’ll take that,” Cook said. “Those who can’t afford the meal can volunteer in our kitchen, or in the community.”

Cook said statistics from the One World Everybody Eats Foundation found that 1 to 2 percent of customers at these pay-what-you-can eateries abuse the system, but 20 percent will pay more than the posted price.

“Most honest folks in need will look to give back instead of just taking,” Cook said. “Volunteering is an incredible esteem booster.”

So far, Cook has raised $1,000 toward her goal of $5,000 to open, and she believes a road race will put her over the top.

The 5.5K “Run for Your Lunch” road race is set for Sunday at 1 p.m., beginning at the North Congregational Church, 38 Plymouth St. Tickets are $20 to run and $10 for the chowder meal after the race. For more information, call Cook at 508-443-0243 or email manager@allarewelcome.us.

George D. Glidden, former owner of Nathan’s Place on North Main Street where he served free meals once a month until he closed in 2007, confirmed the need.

“I think right now, because of the weather and the economy, you’re going to find a lot of people coming; I’m talking families,” Glidden said.

David Beberman of Middleboro, who is an IT business analyst, is on the board of directors for the new community cafe.

Cook said she is in the process of filing paperwork with the state to be a certified non-profit organization. The cafe will be open to all, not just Middleboro residents.

“The need is fairly obvious. Just look around, everyone is trying to make ends meet,” Beberman said. “The moral responsibility for all of us is: if you see something that can be done, your moral responsibility is you should do it.”

On the Web

One World Everybody Eats Foundation: www.oneworldeverybodyeatsfoundation.org/our-organization/history/

Town requests proposals for reuse of former Washburn Grain Mill property

judy — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:25:17 +0000

December 29, 2011 10:51 AM

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.