Sturbridge 7-27-07 (Page 1) - Southbridge Evening News

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4 STURBRIDGE VILLAGER • Friday, June 10, 2011 Keeping the flame alive DIDONATO CANDLES BENEFITING RELAY FOR LIFE BY ADAM T. SILVA STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER SOUTHBRIDGE — For Michael DiDonato, it’s little events that change the world. DiDonato, a welder at Southbridge Tool and Manufacturing, is the creator of CommuniCandles, which are candleholders inspired by his Christian faith. The candleholders are built by welding old-fashioned cut nails into designs with Christian imagery, such as Jesus on the cross. Tea lights sit on the top of the holders. “I see broken people every week and I feel the need to help them,” he said. “People send me names of people they know who are either down on their luck or just going through a really hard time. It may not seem like much, but the CommuniCandles help people remember there is still hope out there.” He gives out the CommuniCandles to those who are in need of inspiration and many people have come to him using the CommuniCandles as gifts for those in need. The process of welding them is also beneficial to him, as he spends that time in prayer for whomever he is making it for. He does not charge for the CommuniCandles, but if people insist on paying him, he asks for them to make a $10 donation to the Relay For Life. At the Relay, which takes place on Friday, June 17 and goes into the 18, he will have a booth set up for the CommuniCandles. The Relay, which raises money to fight cancer, takes place at McMahon Field at Southbridge High School. “In the moment, I am hoping that people will be moved and they will think of someone who needs this,” he said with a smile. “The $10 will go toward the Relay and someone who needs the encouragement will get it. That’s the biggest thing. At the Relay, team members take turns walking the track throughout the night with their pledge to help end the disease. He is part of the Dream Team, one of the leading money-raising teams for the Southbridge Relay. He has also become involved with Team Hoyt, the father and son team where father Dick Hoyt pushes son, Rick, in a specially designed wheelchair in marathons and other races throughout the country. They have been participating for 30 years and have participated in more than 1,000 races. “A little over two years ago, I was at a grocery store with my wife and we saw Dick Hoyt and I had heard about what he has done,” he said with great enthusiasm in his voice and a smile on his face. “Being athletic myself, it’s really inspiring and I asked myself, ‘Do I talk to him? I don’t want to bother him.’ I knew that since he rides bikes, pushes the chair for his son and in this business, I know that things break. I told my wife that I needed to do this and I caught him in the parking lot getting into his car.” They spoke for a few minutes and DiDonato gave him his business card and told him if anything needs repairs, he would be happy to help out. Although his expectations of hearing from him were rather low, it was a small turn of events that changed both of their lives forever. “A year went by and I was in the shop and I got a page to come to the front and Dick Hoyt was standing there,” he said as his eyes lit up and his voice became much more energized. “It was such a weird thing where had I not given him my card that day, none of it wouldn’t have happened. Rick had surgery on his back and he needed a more comfortable chair. We made two chairs for him. The prototype is basically done and we are looking to start building these things.” The only thing holding the production back is waiting on the patents and trademarks. Until then, between making the CommuniCandles and the chair, he can’t help but continue believing the small changes in his life make all the difference in the world. Adam T. Silva may be reached at 508-909-4050 or by email at asilva@stonebridgepress.com. Adam T. Silva photo Michael DiDonato makes CommuniCandles in his spare time as an act of goodwill to those in need. In lieu of payment, he asks for recipients to make donations to the Relay For Life. Runners ‘believe’ in melanoma cause ‘BE ABELIEVER’ 5K RAISES $13K FOR LOCAL FOUNDATION BY KEVIN FLANDERS VILLAGER STAFF WRITER STURBRIDGE — The sixth annual Be a Believer (BB) 5K event was held at Hyland Orchard on Saturday, May 28, raising $13,000 with all proceeds from the event will be used by the Jennifer Linscott Tietgen Family Foundation for melanoma research and education. Oxford, MA The event was organized six years ago by Peg Hall and her family in memory of her sister, Jennifer Linscott Tietgen, who died from melanoma in 2002 at the age of 27. In the last few years the number of participants at the 5K event has steadily increased, and this year’s event featured more than 500 participants. AFFORDABLE GARAGE DOOR SERVICES We Repair All Makes and Models of Garage Doors and Electric Openers, Broken Springs, Replacement Sections, Broken Cable, Remote Problems Spring Tune-up Special Check, lube and adjust door & opener $65 Coupon Expires 06/30/11 8x7 - 9x7 Steel Insulated Doors, R-12 Complete with Standard Hardware, Track, Installation & Tax $595 Coupon Expires 06/30/11 Sales • Service • Installation 1-800-605-9030 508-987-8600 Liftmaster 1/2 hp Belt Drive Opener w/Wall Control & Remote, Free 2nd Remote & Outside Keypad (while supplies last) $325 Coupon Expires 06/30/11 www.countrysidedoors.com Email:countrysidegaragedoors1@verizon.net Stonebridge Press Villager Newspapers “For us this event has been a great success because we feel we have helped raise awareness of melanoma,” Hall said. “We had two melanoma survivors speak this year on their stories. It has become such a community event for us, with family, friends, and so many people in our community volunteering their time, donating to the cause, cheering participants on the route, and coming to support our cause.” The two guest speakers who described their battles with melanoma were Kathy Polizoti and Karen Campbell. Polizoti was initially diagnosed with melanoma in 2009, prompting the removal of three lymph nodes at a Worcester hospital. She sought a second opinion at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where doctors discovered an additional stage-3 melanoma that required immediate removal through another surgical procedure. She has been cancer free for the last two years. “After everything I’ve been through, I have learned so much and now have so much to say,” Polizoti said. “As nervous as I was about speaking in public, it was very important to me to get up on that stage and just tell everyone what I know.” Most adolescents and young adults have little knowledge about melanoma, including the facts that it is the leading killer of women in the 30-35 age group, is responsible for killing a person somewhere in the United States once every hour, can occur on any portion of the skin (even areas that are never exposed to sunlight), and is the most prevalent of all cancers in the 25-29 age group. For more information about melanoma and how to prevent it, visit the official website of the Melanoma Education Foundation, www.skincheck.org. In addition to the 5K race and the guest speaking appearances, the event also included live music from the bands Slink Moss and Stir Crazy, as well as a silent auction, a bounce house, and face painting. Members of the Tantasqua Regional High School girls varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams donated their time to help with the kids activities, and Hall wanted to thank many other people who assisted her with planning, organizing, and facilitating the event, including her husband, Steve, and her children, Camie, Jackson, Tyler, and Abe. For more information about the BB 5k event or the Jennifer Linscott Tietgen Family Foundation, visit www.bb5k.com. Kevin Flanders can be reached at 508-909-4136, or by email at kflanders@stonebridgepress.com. Newspaper Inserts are one of the best marketing tools available. Direct mailed to every home or zoned exactly where you want for a fraction of the cost of direct mailing. TONY PIETTE WELL TESTING • Install & Repair Water Pumps, Tanks & Filters • Water Pump Service • Water Quality & Quantity Testing • Fully Insured 508-949-1771 or 860-974-2512 Courtesy photo Darcy Foley, of Sturbridge, poses with her son, Harper, 1, after the Be a Believer 5K race at Hyland Orchard. The Sturbridge Charlton Villager can insert your 8.5”x11” insert for only $ 38 per thousand or we will Design, Print and Deliver your flyer for as little as $ 75 per thousand For more information call Donna Ogle, Advertising Executive 508-909-4064 dogle@stonebridgepress.com
Friday, June 10, 2011 • STURBRIDGE VILLAGER 5 Make the right moves with inherited stocks When you inherit a sizable amount of stocks, your overall financial picture can change significantly. But to make the most of your inheritance, you need to decide what to do with your new stocks. Should you keep them or sell them? Before you can answer this question, you need to review several factors, including the following: Diversification — You’ll need to determine if an inherited stock adds to your overall portfolio diversification. Do you already have other, similar stocks in your portfolio? If so, you might want to sell the stock and use the money for a new investment opportunity. Conversely, if you don’t own anything similar to the inherited stock, and it can help your diversify, it may well be worth keeping. While diversification, by itself, cannot guarantee a profit or protect against loss, it can help reduce the effects of If you’re thinking of planning a family vacation, or are retired and want to experience nothing but the open road, one option is to become an “RVer.” Taking in the world around you can become one of the most treasured vacation experiences you can share with your family and friends. The flexibility of being able to set the pace for your upcoming adventure can allow the freedom you crave. You will have the ability to map out the must see places and become pleasantly surprised with the gems you will discover, nestled in the country side, while moving along to your next stop. Sometimes the best memories are created with the moments in between what was originally planned. With the help of a recreation loan along with proper saving; you will be on your way to years of great experiences. Here are some things to consider not only with planning your next trip but with the purchasing of your recreational vehicle. Get ready … 1. Hold a planning session with all the parties involved, making selections of places to see and things to do that will give each member something specific to look forward to. 2. Consider “assigning” a day, or part of a day, to each member’s interests and plan activities, along with the necessary stops, for enjoying the most out of the journey at hand. 3. Discuss the choice of travel trailers and motor homes available to you that will fit the type of traveling you will be doing and the budget you are able to comfortably afford. The cost of an RV can be small to the sky’s the limit for the more luxury motor coaches. Keep in mind the bells and whistles, such as slide outs and more updated amenities, will increase your comfort but also your expenses. Despite the increasing fuel prices, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association in Reston, Va., (RVIA) contends RV vacations are still less costly than staying in motels, hotels, and resorts. Plan ahead for the expenses created by taking a vacation, or in this case investing in your future vacations, by setting aside each week/ month a specific amount comfortable for you in a vacation fund at your financial institution. Before you buy, plan on taking a trial run by renting an RV and practicing the skills needed to safely maneuver the vehicle on the open road, as well as parking the RV in the space allotted for the size of the camper you are interested in. Also have your vehicle checked out by a mechanic to insure the hitch is the proper design for the type of trailer you may be towing. Also the overall condition of the motor coach will need anything from oil changes to FINANCIAL FOCUS JEFF BURDICK market volatility. Fundamentals — It’s a good idea to closely scrutinize any stocks you inherited. Do they represent companies with strong management teams, good track records and competitive products or services? Or, as is sometimes the case, did your benefactor simply keep these stocks because he or she had some type of attachment to them? You’ll want to own quality stocks for the right reasons. • Risk tolerance — An inherited stock may be either too aggressive or too conservative for your preferences. If the stock doesn’t fit within your risk tolerance, sell it and buy an investment that does. RV travel lets you set the course FINANCE SENSE JEFFREY DAVENPORT safety checks on all safety equipment such as brake pads and working lights. Once you have finalized the type of RV you will need to revisit the cost of your investment by speaking with a loan officer to insure you are acquiring the right type of loan and monthly payment that works for your budget. Get set … 4. Pack a “Go Kit” with food, water, maps, and gadgets, such as rented or borrowed (GPS), warm clothes and blankets, a first-aid kit, and essential safety devices and tools. Go! 5. Remember that trips like this are about the moments spent with the people you love and enjoy. Keep the journey relaxed with a variety of patience and flexibility. Taking frequent breaks for stretching the legs will lift the spirits of all the parties aboard. With everyone’s participation in the planning, along with flexibility and sufficient distractions during the drive, you’ll have trips to treasure. Visit the professionals at your local financial institution to help you structure a recreational vehicle or travel loan to fit your needs and begin the adventure that can take you anywhere. For more tips: Visit rvtravel.com and roamingtimes.com, and drive safely, after any length of vacation, it is always nice to come back home. - Jeffrey Davenport is the CEO and President of Southbridge Credit Union. Taxes — When you inherit stocks, they are generally valued at their market value on the day your benefactor died, not the date of the original purchase. For example, if you inherit stock that your father bought for $20 a share, and it’s worth $75 a share on the day he dies, your “cost basis” would be $75 a share. If you sell the stock right away, you’ll likely owe little or no income taxes. If the price of the inherited stock goes up before you sell it, you’ll pay capital gains tax on the difference between $75 and the sale price, at a maximum rate of 15% (at least for 2011 and 2012), no matter how long you’ve held the stock. This is advantageous for you; typically, if you sell an appreciated stock that you’ve held less than a year, you’d have to pay capital gains taxes at your normal income tax rate. If you inherit stocks as part of a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you’ll probably have to pay taxes on withdrawals at your income tax rate. However, you may be able to spread withdrawals over your lifetime, which could result in more tax-deferred growth and a greater income stream. And if you inherit a Roth IRA, you won’t have to pay income taxes on any withdrawals, provided the Roth IRA account has been open for at least five years. If you need help in determining what to do with inherited stocks, consult with your financial advisor and tax professional. After all, you are acquiring an important asset — and you want to make this asset work for you. Jeff Burdick the local Edward Jones Financial Advisor may be contacted at his Sturbridge Office at 508-347-1420 or via e-mail jeff.burdick@edwardjones.com STORM DAMAD AMAGE? GRAFTON, MA Established 1981 Call us for all your storm damage repairs 508.839.2388 508.726.9026 Expert storm damage repairs Structural repairs Siding Roofing Windows MA Construction Supervisor License #052690 MA Home Improvement Contractor License #108498
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