Tricia Perry, Director of the Bancroft Memorial Library in Hopedale, has been awarded the annual Celebrate Literacy Award from the Massachusetts Reading Association. This award recognizes organizations, institutions, and individuals who have significantly contributed to literacy. 

One of the programs she launched is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Since its January launch, over 60 children have been enrolled to date, and 20 children have read more than 100 books! Four children are almost at 400 books. This program is a collaborative effort with support from Middlesex Savings Bank, United Way of Tri-County, Bright Beginnings Preschool, and the Milford Family & Community Network.

Tricia brings out the best in her staff and patrons. Her favorite book quote is, "Reading is magic - when you have the right book." She works hard to ensure that all patrons, from the youngest to the oldest, have books they want and need to be the best they can be.

 

Local Photographer Tim Rice recently donated a percentage of the sales he received from families who chose to use him rather than the school photo vendor for their school photos to the Medway school system.  "$1500 is the amount I am able to donate, thanks to parents choosing my services over the school's vendor. I always said I never wanted my photos to take from the students, just because someone uses me, does not mean the funds do not belong back at the school" - Tim Rice. Thank you time for your commitment to the community!
 

Congrats to the Bellingham High School Concert Band who received a GOLD MEDAL at the 2023 MICCA Concert Festival. They have been invited to participate in the Gold Medal Showcase at Groton Hill Music Center on Saturday, April 15th at 3:30 p.m. Groton Hill Music Center is brand-new and absolutely breathtaking. Admission is FREE! The Gold Medal Showcase full schedule will be available soon on the MICCA website.
FYI: Only 13 high school bands in Massachusetts received a gold medal this year. The last time BHS received a gold medal was 2004. This is the second-ever gold medal for BHS! The Concert Band is a non-auditioned, ensemble course that is made up of grades 9 - 12 students, all skills and ability levels. Please share our Gold Medal Showcase announcement on your social media! Way to go Bellingham Music!

Congrats and thank you to PJ's Bar & Grill, PJ's Smoke "N" Grill, Representative Joe McKenna, State Representative Mike Soter and Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis for “Rising Up” to help deliver meals to local constituents this past Easter Sunday! No one should be without a meal and since 2020 this program has provided over 6000 to those in need! Thank you as well to Uxbridge Elderly Connection for “Rising Up” and making this tradition the success that it has become!

Congratulations to Josh Lioce for being featured again in Boston Agent Magazines WHO's WHO for 2023!

Congrats to Milford's Jessie Kenney who plays girls varsity for the Shrewsbury Co-Op Hockey Team.  They won the Division 1 State Championship at the TD Garden on Sunday!

Congrats to The Central Mass Revolution Peewee Grey team for winning the Northern Berkshire SpringFling Hockey Tournament this past weekend. After losing to Troy NY 7-1 Saturday they came back to beat them in the finals via a shootout. Locals making an impact for the Rev's were Milford's Jack Walker with two goals in regulation and a shootout goal, Upton's Cayden Rodriguez with a shootout goal, Upton's Jason Derocher had many great saves including two in the shootout, tough defense from Upton’s Paige Lamotte, and Milford's Grant Vereker with great defense and shootout deciding goal.

Congrats to BVT sophomore Joel Puri for earning the Tri Valley ALL STAR award. 

(3/16/23) Valley Pub in Whitinsville is selling these decorative St. Patrick's gnomes with to help raise money for the Northbridge Food Pantry! They have a few left so pick one up today!

Congratulations to Medway's Charlie Ross on earning his Eagle Scout!

Congrats to Ashland High senior Jenna Fitzsimmons on being named Tri-Valley League MVP for girls hockey and Medway High senior Jon Bird on being named TVL Boys Swimmer of the Year.

Congratulations to the Milford Girls 5th grade basketball team who won their state championship! Nola Bullock, Rita Consigli, Olivia Cue, Brooke Cunningham, Kendall Earl, Cali Geoffroy, Kendall Ghansah, Emma Macchi, Melanie Purtell, Madison Stokes, Assistant Coaches Jason Stokes, Brian Macchi and Craig Consigli and Head Coach Brian Cunningham!

Congrats Milford Boys 8th grade basketball team for winning their state championship game! Mat Dasilva, Jackson Fournier, Alex Stachowski, Matty Boulanger, Chris Ciccone, Gio Johnson, Manny Vilbrun, Luke Fraunfelter, Chad Richard, Eli Rosenberg, Head Coach Denise Boulanger and Assistant Coach Dan Ciccone!

(3/7/23) Franklin High School Theater Company’s production of “Lord of the Flies” has advanced to the Semi-Final round of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival. All-Star Company Awards were presented to Colin Joyce for Excellence in Acting, Sean Sullivan, Shannon Pimentel, Kiera Riendeau, Ava Piercy for Technical Excellence in Lighting Design and Operation, Kyle Formato for Technical Excellence in Original Music Composition and Frankie Labelle, Ellie Bavey, Hope Guanga, Caelyn Towne, Kirstyn Towne, Anabel Perez-Kocis for Technical Excellence in Scenic Design and Construction. 

The Hopedale/Milford Junior Varsity Raiders ice hockey team won the American Division championship on Sunday February 26th at Northstar Ice sports in Westborough with a 6-3 win over Keefe Tech. They spent most of the season in first or second place and wound up going into the playoffs in the number one seed and continued to pull it off.

"Our good news is that we have a community that came together, lifted us up and now we get to leave Tuesday (2/7) to get Coley to PA for his procedure!!!! Hoping to have everyone wear purple on Friday the 10th and tag us so he can see everyone while he heals!" - Kath Candelario

Congratulations to Marie Forte Bellingham Music HS Band Director and K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator for being selected as the MA Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Paul Smith Hall of Fame recipient for 2023!!

Congratulations to these local kids who just went through a really tough test... 600 jumping jacks, 300 sit ups, 200 push-ups,100's of kicks and striking and a nice brisk run outside.  Emmet Shepard Blue Belt, Tyler Godhino Blue, Macelyn Palvisko, Blue , Marcella Bourassa Purple, Brady Allen Purple, Vincent Mastroianni Purple, Reese Heroux Green, Ellie Spindola Green, Olive Wild Green, Gemma Bakalars Orange, Lina Larocca Green, Nicholas Chen Orange.

Congratulations to Heather from Mendon for being named to the Dean's List at Salve Regina University.

More #MyFMGoodNews! What a nice surprise to have received a hand-written letter and brand new CD today from Christine Ann Boland. Visit her Facebook page for more information about Simple Things and her calendar of live and local appearances. Congrats on the new recordings Christine!

January’s spotlight fundraiser for The Corner Market, Holliston was Demons Youth Hockey!! They raised $350 for their program through their restaurant night fundraiser! Demons is made up of kids from Holliston, Ashland & Hopkinton.  Next up…February featuring Blessed Beginnings Preschool in Holliston! The Corner Market is a proud supporter of many many local organizations.