November 02, 2012 - Southbridge Evening News

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2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, November 2, 2012 www.webstertimes.net ‘Plan your escape around your abilities’ BY GUS STEEVES STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER CHARLTON — Fires are obviously a danger to anyone, but more so to senior citizens, who often can’t move as quickly to escape. That’s why the Charlton and Sturbridge fire departments teamed up to give about 30 Overlook residents, and by extension seniors anywhere, a crash course in fire safety Thursday afternoon, Oct. 26. “We can replace a stove. We can replace a pot. We can replace an apartment,” said William Chamberland, Overlook’s maintenance and security director and the event’s host. “Can we replace a human life? No.” According to Sturbridge firefighter Mary Lou Volpe, people age 85 and over have a death rate of 37.5 per million, higher than other age ranges, although FEMA statistics show that rate has been falling for at least a decade. “But they’re all high. Even one is one too many,” she said. Prevention is often a matter of simply paying attention to where you and various objects are. Stoves, for example, are a common fire source, often because people forget something’s cooking, reach over a burner wearing loose clothing, or store things behind or even in the stove. Using a mock-up of a stove, toaster and other TO PLACE A RETAIL AD: SANDY LAPENSEE, EXECUTIVE (508) 909-4110 - sandy@stonebridgepress.com SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: KERRI PETERSON - (508) 909-4103 kjohnston@stonebridgepress.com TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: (508) 765-6940 classifieds@stonebridgepress.com TO FAX THE WEBSTER TIMES: (508) 764-8015 VISIT US ONLINE: www.webstertimes.net common kitchen devices, Charlton Firefighter Danielle Robertson demonstrated how easily that can happen (especially with a gas stove) by pulling a robe over her uniform. The loose sleeves brushed the fake flames as she reached for the dials. Should that happen, Volpe noted small clothing fires are usually fairly easy to smother, but if that doesn’t work or is unreachable, don’t run. That just fuels the flames. Instead, “stop, drop and roll back and forth,” she said. “But you’re not going to roll down the hallway.” Natural fabrics like wool and cotton “won’t burn as readily as synthetics” (in part because many of the latter are oil-based), she added. Chamberland recalled an Overlook apartment fire a few years ago. A resident had been storing Reynolds and Saran wrap in her stove when she accidentally hit the stove’s self-cleaning button and was unable to stop that automatic cycle. No one was hurt, but the staff and fire department had to drag the stove outside. For a while, Chamberland talked about how to use a standard fire extinguisher, although most of those present said their apartments didn’t have one. The type he discussed uses a chemical dust to smother most kinds of fires (including electrical ones), but will exhaust its material within 5-10 seconds. The dust is not safe to inhale TO PRINT AN OBITUARY: E-MAIL: atremblay@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, PO Box 90, Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: E-MAIL: aminor@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, PO Box 90, Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SUBMIT CALENDAR ITEMS: E-MAIL: atremblay@stonebridgepress.com OR send to Webster Times, 25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550 TO SOUND OFF: CALL 508-909-4079 STONEBRIDGE PRESS PHOTO POLICY As a community oriented family of newspapers, Stonebridge Press welcomes photos from readers, business owners, and other outside sources for publication in any of its titles. Any photos submitted for publication become the property of Stonebridge Press, and may be displayed in our newspapers, as well as on our Web site. They may also be made available for resale, with any proceeds going to Stonebridge Press and/or the photo re-print vendor. PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER FRANK G. CHILINSKI (860) 928-1818, EXT. 104 frank@stonebridgepress.com CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER RON TREMBLAY (800) 367-9898, EXT. 102 rtremblay@stonebridgepress.com EDITORIAL STAFF MANAGING EDITOR - ADAM MINOR (508) 909-4130 aminor@stonebridgepress.com STAFF WRITER - JOY RICHARD (508) 909-4129 jrichard@stonebridgepress.com afterward and “you won’t even be able to see” if using it in a room, he said. Instead, he recommended leaving, saying, “Evacuate and let the system work.” All three speakers strongly advised people to practice having at least two escape routes from any room periodically. Overlook’s apartments, and those in similar settings, generally have just one door into a main hallway, but they all have windows. For first-floor residents, escaping that way might be viable, but Volpe advised those on upper floors to block any smoke from entering their apartment (if the fire’s not in it) and wave something out the window. When firefighters arrive, they always assign a couple people to walk around the building looking specifically for such signs of people who might be trapped, she said. Practice, they added, is crucial especially at night. “If you wake up in the dead of night and you’re all confused, can’t find your glasses, you panic,” Chamberland said, noting that’s how people get hurt. Knowing the escape route, by contrast, makes it far easier to navigate under stress. “Plan your escape around your abilities,” including lining up people who can help, Volpe added later. If the fire’s in their apartment, Robertson also advised people to call 911 from a nearby apartment after escaping, rather than taking the extra time first. Also, she noted a landline phone is often best, since that will go to the local police and fire department. Volpe noted cell phone calls in Charlton typically get sent to Framingham State Police, so callers need to be specific about their location to transfer it back to the right town. Afterward, they switched gears to talk about another common accident afflicting seniors — falls, which also are more likely to cause injuries as people age. “Many things in your apartment can be trip hazards, but we don’t even realize until we trip over them,” Volpe said, later observing, “When B&L CLEAN OUT We Are Open Year Round! 9-5 In North Brookfield Brookfield Orchards Follow signs from Rts. 9, 31, 67 or 148 ALL APPLES KINDS Jelly, Preserves, Relish, Toys, Candy, Cider, Honey, Maple Syrup, Historic Maps, Cheddar Cheese, Recreation Area/Playground, Apple Pies & Dumplings (reg & sweet’n low), Gifts, Antiques & Collectibles ORDER YOUR MAILERS NOW Rubbish Removal Residential • Commercial Weekly Pick Up Programs (LOW COST CONTRACTS AVAILABLE) Locally owned & operated For estimate call … 8am - 6pm 508-949-0971 CHOCOLATE CREAM, PECAN &APPLE DUMPLINGS SNACK BAR OPEN!! Hot Dogs • Chili • Cider • Baked Macaroni & Cheese Dumplings & Ice Cream 508.867.6858 • 877.622.7555 www.browsethebrookfields.com www.brookfieldorchardsonline.com HOW TO USE A STONEBRIDGE PRESS WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING STAFF Attic • Garage Apartment Clean out Cellars • Estates Construction & Demolition Materials the shop around the corner Kitchen Specialty Shop NOVEMBER SPECIAL Buy two cookie cutters by Ann Clark and get one for 1/2 price! ~ Made in Vermont ~ Rose32 Fresh Breads Fri. & Sat. Cookware Tools/Gadgets Linens Bakeware Boards/Stones Spices, Salts, Teas, Cutlery Coffee/Tea Presses Sugars & Extracts Special Orders and Gift Registry Available 715 Pleasant Street • Paxton, Massachusetts 01612 kjohnson@whisk-paxton.com • www.whisk-paxton.com p 508.754.8591 f 508.754.8706 Order your Baskets for pick-up only ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY PIES: APPLE, PUMPKIN, MINCE, ADVERTISING MANAGER JEAN ASHTON (800) 367-9898, EXT. 104 jashton@stonebridgepress.com LOCAL ADVERTISING STAFF SANDY LAPENSEE, EXECUTIVE (508)909-4110 sandy@stonebridgepress.com PRODUCTION MANAGER JULIE CLARKE (800) 367-9898, EXT. 105 julie@villagernewspapers.com THE WEBSTER TIMES (USPS#024-928) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY STONEBRIDGE PRESS, INC., 25 ELM ST., SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WEBSTER TIMES, P.O.BOX 90, SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550 you’re in a hurry, that’s most likely when you’ll fall.” Cords are a common danger. She used her computer’s sinuous power cord as an example, adding cords should also not be put under rugs because friction can wear them down and make them a fire hazard. (Earlier, they’d noted misuse of cords in general can be a fire risk, particularly overloading a plug with an “octopus” of them. Instead, they advised using power strips, which have a built-in surge protector and shut off if overloaded, and unplugging devices that aren’t in use.) Gus Steeves can be reached at 508-909-4135 or by e-mail at gus@stonebridgepress.com. ALMANAC QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We can replace a stove. We can replace a pot. We can replace an apartment. Can we replace a human life? No.” - William Chamberland, Overlook maintenance and security director, and the host of a fire safety event for seniors last week. OPEN TO CLOSE DUDLEY DUDLEY TOWN HALL (508) 949-8000 Board of Selectmen (949-8001) Monday-Thursday . . .8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening appointments if needed. Note: Office hours are for selectmen’s secretary and town administrator. Selectmen do not hold office hours. Town Clerk (949-8004) Monday-Thursday . . . . .8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday nights . . . . . . . . . . .5 to 7 p.m. Fridays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 a.m. to 1 p.m. DUDLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT (943-4411) Staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week DUDLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT (949-8040) Monday-Sunday . . . . . . .6 a.m. to 6 p.m. OXFORD OXFORD TOWN HALL (508) 987-6027 Board of Selectmen Monday-Friday . . . . .9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Town Clerk (987-6032) Monday-Friday . . . . .9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT (987-0156) For emergencies, call 911 OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT (987-6012) Monday-Friday . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. WEBSTER WEBSTER TOWN HALL (508) 949-3850 Office Hours: Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday . . . . . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. WEBSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT (943-1212) For emergencies, call 911 WEBSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT (949-3875) Monday-Friday . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 12 p.m. DUDLEY REAL ESTATE $180,000, 33 Aldea Ave., Kevin E. Kalmin and Noena F. Kalmin to Jeff Lovely, Lynn Ann lovely, Jeff E. Lovely and Lynn A. Lovely $62,500, Center Road, Charles A. Cierpich and Alice I. Cierpich to Craig Anisko $410,000, Schofield Avenue & out of country and Route 12 & out of country, Wendy Lou Slingo TR, Riverside North Trust to Wojiech Sudyka OXFORD $110,000, 1 Johnson Lane, Richard J. Vincent and Susan P. Vincent to Mark Blessington and Rachel A. Blessington $124,000, 45 Old Worcester Road, Gertrude A. Healy to Ralph L. Dascanio III and Lorry J. Dascanio $130,100, 39 Carron Lane, Peoples United Bank to Shawn L. Lussier and Danielle C. Robbins WEBSTER $195,000, 215 Lower Gore Road, Anthony G. Gulbankian to Sarah L. Kut $80,000, 6 Brookline St., Jeanne A. Beausoleil, Jeanne A. Renaud, Elaine R. Faford and Mark A. Mozdzierz to Joseph DiPilato III TR, and L&J Realty Trust $45,000, 35 Myrtle Ave., Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., and Orlans Moran PLLC to Shecky Swan $150,000, 20 Emil St., Brian T. Keegan to Gatzke Plaza LLC.
www.webstertimes.net Friday, November 2, 2012 Trick or Treat! Shepherd Hill hosts local kids • THE WEBSTER TIMES • 3 ACCURACY WATCH: The Webster Times is committed to accuracy in all its news reports. Although numerous safeguards are in place to ensure accurate reporting, mistakes can occur. Confirmed fact errors will be corrected in a timely manner on page A3. We cannot run corrections based upon differences of opinion or unconfirmable facts. We will, however, print letters to the editor from area residents who wish to add their comments to our news coverage. If you find a mistake, please call (508) 764-4325. During non-business hours, leave a message in the editor’s voicemail box. CORRECTION In last week’s South County Express, there is an error in the Healthy Paws Pet Center Advertisement. The can size in the Merrick case of dog food special for 12 cans for $20 is 13.2 oz, not 32 oz. We apologize for the error. Southbridge resident Phoenix MacNeil, 3, picks out a piece of candy from one of the waiting Shepherd Hill students. A local kid dressed as Jason patiently waits for candy to be handed out. DUDLEY — Are you ready for some candy? The kids who piled into the Shepherd Hill Regional High School cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 27 sure were. The school hosted its own trickor-treat event over the weekend inviting all local parents and children to join in on the seasonal fun. Students stood by their homemade “doors,” dressed in their best Halloween costumes, and passed out candy to the happy crowds of kids waiting. Joy Richard photos Students and local children play musical chair to spooky Halloween music. A toddler dressed as an owl lands at the doorstep of a student waiting with candy. PUBLIC MEETINGS Editor’s Note: Meetings as listed are retrieved in advance from multiple sources, including town halls and on the Internet. The Webster Times is not responsible for changes and cancellations. DUDLEY Monday, Nov. 5 Board of Selectmen meeting, 6:30 p.m., 71 West Main St. WEBSTER Monday, Nov. 5 Board of Selectmen meeting, 7 p.m., Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 350 Main St. Monday, Nov. 12 Trustees of Soldier’s Monuments meeting, 6 p.m., Irene Martel Conference Room, 325 Main St. “Boo-raspberry” drinks are mixed as a residents waits for a taste. Locals sign up for door prizes and raffles during the Shepherd Hill Regional High School trick-or-treat event Saturday, Oct. 27. Far left, Southbridge resident Phoenix MacNeil shows off her no-so-devilish smile for the camera after collecting her weight in Halloween candy. At left, Dressed as a baby Shepherd Hill junior Nicole Holmgrean, 16, of Dudley, helps entertain the local kids who have come out to trickor-treat. AFFORDABLE GARAGE DOOR SERVICES We Repair All Makes and Models of Garage Doors and Electric Openers, Broken Springs, Replacement Sections, Broken Cable, Remote Problems Fall Tune-up Special Check, lube and adjust door & opener $65 Coupon Expires 11/30/12 Visit our showroom by appointment only 430 Main St., Oxford MA Sales • Service • Installation 1-800-605-9030 • 508-987-8600 Oxford, MA - ROLL OFF • ALL SIZES - CONTAINERIZED SERVICE - RECYCLING COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL - RESIDENTIAL TOLL FREE 1-800-242-7655 Carriage House Door Stamped steel, insulated r-13.45 complete with standard track, hardware & installation. $595 Coupon Expires 11/30/12 www.countrysidedoors.com Email:countrysidegaragedoors1@verizon.net (508)764-6677 P.O. BOX 820 SOUTHBRIDGE MA 01550 Leboeufrubbishremoval.com
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November 02, 2012 - Southbridge Evening News

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