Ashland September 2018

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Local 

Vol. 6 No. 2 Free to Every Home and Business Every Month September 2018 

The Voice of Your Community 

Ashland Teacher Wants 

Students to Use the 

Full Power of Their Minds 

Teacher Len 

Rabinowitz performs 

at the Ashland 

Corner Spot this 

summer using an allnatural 

flame maple 

Gibson ES-335. 

(Photo/supplied) 

By Cynthia Whitty 

History teacher Len Rabinowitz 

can be found at the 

Ashland High School, in the 

back of Mindess School with 

his telescope sharing the stars 

with interested gazers or playing 

music at The Corner Spot. 

Here he chats about his teaching 

career and what motivates 

him. 

Whitty: How long have you 

lived in Ashland? 

Rabinowitz: 21 years. We 

moved into town in 1997. I was 

teaching in Sutton and [my 

wife] Kab was working closer 

to the city. Ashland seemed a 

nice in-between. 

Whitty: How long have you 

taught in Ashland? What do 

ASHLAND TEACHER 

continued on page 2 

Ashland Bark Park— 

Coming Soon 


Six-year-old Coco (Cara Tirrell’s 

dog) is looking to a park he can 

call his own. (Photo/Cara Tirrell) 

Dog owners in Ashland want 

a safe, enclosed place to bring 

their pets, a place where they and 

their dogs can socialize with others. 

That place may not be far off. 

Since the fall of 2017, a group has 

been working to bring a dog park, 

recently named the Ashland Bark 

Park, to town. 

“I approached [Selectman] 

Yolanda Greaves, who suggested 

getting interested parties together 

and just start meeting,” Cara Tirrell 

said. “Soon we formed a committee, 

held a public forum and 

met with town administrators.” 

Committee members are Cara 

Tirrell, president; Candi Wilson, 

vice president/secretary; Yolanda 

Greaves, Paul Kendall, Anissa 

Battaglino, Cathy Rooney, David 

Schwarz and advisory member 

Dona Walsh from Ashland Animal 

Control. 

Over the past few months, the 

committee studied other dog park 

successes, drew up dog park rules, 

created a website and Facebook 

page, held a park naming contest 

and started the process to become 

a nonprofit organization. The 

committee has also reviewed land 

parcels and open space in town. 

Their goal is to have a park in 

Ashland by the spring of 2019. 

“The location is one of the 

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Page 2 Ashland Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com September 2018 

ASHLAND TEACHER 

continued from page 1 

you teach? 

Rabinowitz: I have been a 

teacher for 25 years. I started in 

Ashland in August 2001. I will be 

starting my 18th year here in a 

couple of weeks. I teach history 

and social sciences at the high 

school. Notably, I teach a course 

on the History of Genocide, 

which is unique and popular with 

students. 

Whitty: I noticed that you 

have a variety of interests—history, 

astronomy and music. Do 

you relate to all these subjects as 

a teacher? 

Rabinowitz: I do. One nice 

thing about history is that it encompasses 

everything—everything 

has a history. Nor is history 

segmented; events in one area affect 

events in another. Einstein’s 

work in relativity was affected by 

World War I. His being a violin 

player may have helped his capacity 

for imagination and thought 

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experiments. When learning 

about a time period, I try and 

bring in relevant musical, artistic, 

cultural, scientific and technological 

developments of the time 

period. Many of these stories are 

untold but are important and fascinating. 

I have a particular focus 

on the Apollo moon landings as 

I grew up with that—it is living 

memory for me. Students know 

more about nonsense conspiracy 

theories than they do about 

the facts of what happened, and 

what an incredible achievement it 

was. It is important that these stories 

are told, particularly as these 

people age and die off. 

Whitty: What is your approach 

to teaching? 

Rabinowitz: I am deeply committed 

to factual knowledge, reasoning, 

scientific awareness and 

human rights. I want my students 

to realize their full capacity and 

their full capabilities. As human 

beings, they should never underestimate 

what they are capable 

of doing. We live in an age of 

fake news, science denial, conspiracy 

theory, lies and increasing 

tribalization and division. I 

want my students to be able to 

combat that with the power of 

their minds, their knowledge, 

and their capacity for empathy 

and understanding. I want them 

to be active, thoughtful participants 

in a healthy democracy, 

with a full understanding of the 

Declaration of Independence, 

the Constitution and the Bill of 

Rights. I want them to care for 

themselves and other people. I 

want them to dream, to wonder 

and to be amazed, and not just 

chase money and practicality. I 

want them to have inspiration 

and awe. They can lead rich and 

meaningful lives—they only have 

to choose to do so, and have our 

love and support. 

Whitty: Where did your love 

of teaching, astronomy and 

music come from? 

Rabinowitz: It is a product 

of my background. I was the 

third child in a highly educated 

family. My father has a PhD in 

engineering. My mother was a 

painter with an MFA. I was always 

reactive to sounds—some 

of my earliest memories are of 

music playing. I remember a record 

called Tine the Ballerina, 

which had sounds that actually 

scared me! I grew up in the 50s 

and 60s—times of a revolution in 

popular music. My older siblings 

brought all of that into the house, 

and I always had an ear for melody. 

My parents played classical 

music at home when I was a child 

and even occasionally some jazz. 

I started playing the flute at age 9 

and went on to guitar at about age 

11. As a teenager I had no desire 

to be anything other than a rock 

musician, and I had as good a 

shot at it as anybody. I took all of 

the music classes in high school. 

My parents always supported me 

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with good instruments and lessons. 

I applied to one school out 

of high school—Berklee College 

of Music- and got in. I went for 

two years but did not graduate. 

I grew up during the height 

of the space program. My Dad 

was a radar defense engineer who 

worked for the Pentagon for a few 

years. We lived in DC when Kennedy 

was assassinated. To me, the 

space program was absolutely fascinating 

and exciting! I watched 

all of the launches and followed 

all of it. One of my earliest memories 

is of sitting on the bed with 

my Dad watching John Glenn 

take off on his rocket. My Dad 

got me a telescope when I was 

about 6. I had that instrument 

for about 20 years. I remember 

him setting it up with my brother 

and looking at Venus. My parents 

bought me astronomy books, and 

I was just fascinated by the pictures. 

There was something so 

awe inspiring, optimistic and positive 

about it. I loved it! 

I grew up surrounded by 

history, government, and politics. 

My Dad would pontificate 

about [these subjects] at the 

dinner table. My Mom read art 

books and painted. Impressionist, 

landscape style. They took us 

to museums. Family discussion 

was always about these things. It 

took me decades to realize that 

not every gets Scientific American 

and The New York Times 

at home. But I did, and I would 

read them. I read a lot of popular 

science and science-oriented 

science fiction at the time. Loved 

Star Trek, and still do! I got interested 

in history when I went 

back to school in 1988. I majored 

in it and was fascinated. For me 

fascination includes wanting to 

tell someone else about it so that 

led me to teaching. I have a strong 

keep-at-it, nose-to-the-grindstone, 

try-and-try-again, fail-andkeep-going 

attitude, which serves 

me well in teaching and my other 

endeavors. 

I simply want to give to my 

students the gift that was given to 

me—a love of knowledge, awe, 

inspiration and caring for other 

people. Pay it forward as they say! 

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September 2018 Ashland Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 3 

Your Money, Your Independence 

(Back To) School Savings 

September means the end of 

summer, seniors on college tours 

and little ones, including our 

daughter, starting kindergarten. 

Our baby is 5, wait she’s 5?! 

Seems like yesterday whispering 

Bowie’s “Changes” as a 

lullaby, in 12 years she’s touring 

colleges and dreaming of possibilities. 

Parents want the best 

their kids can achieve, let’s discuss 

ways to prepare, build and 

say “yes.” 

Several options to save for 

benefit of a child, let’s discuss the 

most popular, 529 Plans. 

What are 529 Plans? Tax-advantaged 

account designed to 

save for qualified education 

costs. They are sponsored by 

states, state agencies, or educational 

institutions and authorized 

by Internal Revenue 

Code’s Section 529. 

5 Key Benefits 

1. Earnings not federally taxed 

to pay qualified education 

costs at eligible schools in U.S. 

or abroad. 

2. Owner (i.e. Parent/Grandparent) 

maintains control over 

use of account for beneficiary 

(child). 

3. No income limitations on 

person’s ability contribute nor 

number of contributors. 

4. Owner may contribute up to 

$75,000 ($150,000 per married 

couple) per child in a single 

year without incurring gift 

taxes, talk to a tax planning 

professional to learn more. 

5. Can choose almost any 529 

plan in the country, regardless 

of state you live. 

Are all 529’s the same? No, 

with choice comes decisions. 

Some states offer tax benefits to 

contributions, however important 

considerations should be given to 

contribution limits, fees, investments, 

direct versus investment 

advisor (latter tends to be more 

expensive and investment managers 

can differ) and 529 Plan 

versus prepaid 529 Tuition. 

Changes in 2018 - The Tax 

Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 expanded 

529 Plans eligibility to 

pay for qualified educational expenses 

for K-12 - up to $10,000 

per year per student. 

Best Practice - For birthdays 

and holidays, relatives want toy 

wish lists for our girls. We evolved 

by also sending an invite through 

their 529 Plans to securely contribute 

as little as $25 with a note 

that we’d match dollar-for-dollar. 

Less toys, but more joy come college 

acceptances. 

Speak with your advisor, visit 

a plan’s website to enroll directly 

or utilize a resource like collegesavings.org 

to prepare, build and 

say “yes”. 

The opinions voiced in this 

material are for general information 

only and are not intended to 

provide specific advice or recommendations 

for any individual. 

Glenn Brown is an Ashland resident 

and owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, 

www.PlanDynamic.com. Glenn is a 

Certified Financial Planner, Chartered 

Retirement Planning Counselor 

and fee-only fiduciary helping families 

and business owners build, evolve and 

sustain financial independence. 

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for the following month’s issue. 

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BARK PARK 


most asked questions, but we 

aren’t certain yet,” Tirrell said. 

“We have discussed three locations: 

Ponderosa Road, behind 

the dog kennel; Valentine Estate 

land or land off of Olive Street; 

and Weston nursery land/the old 

Sibson barn.” 

Tirrell said, “Our research included 

speaking with the public at 

a forum and finding out that the 

public had indicated in the Open 

Space and Recreation survey that 

they wanted a dog park as part of 

recreation areas in town.” 

There are 1,800 registered 

dogs in town. 

Tirrell explained, “We want 

to give dog owners an option for 

an off-leash area, which is safe 

and monitored by dog control. 

Depending on size, I can see 30 

dogs at a time. We’re planning to 

have a small dog and a large dog 

area.” 

“At this time, we are looking 

for supporters to attend our 

meetings and take on some of the 

tasks that we need assistance with. 

We need a treasurer, someone to 

monitor our Facebook page, we 

need self-starters and members 

that can attend meetings and are 

willing to fund raise and bring 

some different talents to the 

Dog Park Naming Winner Tara Phillips: “Zoe (8 years), Evie (4 years) and 

I are thrilled that we are the winners of the Ashland dog park naming 

contest! A huge thank you to Pet Supplies Plus for our paw-some gift 

basket! We can’t wait to meet all of you at the ‘Ashland Bark Park’ in the 

near future.” (Photo/courtesy of the Ashland Dog Park Committee) 

Ever Wonder Where Your Taxes Go? 


A Maynard-based startup, 

ClearGov Inc., aims to bring 

more transparency to cities and 

towns. Rather than just posting a 

dense, detailed document about 

municipal finances, like many 

towns do, ClearGov customers 

can present their finances in 

easy-to-understand infographics 

alongside comparable statistics 

from other towns. (Boston Business 

Journal, June 6, 2018) 

Since its founding in late 

2015, ClearGov has raised $3.75 

million and grown to about 25 

employees. The startup collects 

financial data on municipal governments 

— often from state 

departments of revenue—and 

creates free webpages that display 

the data. 

On social media in August, 

Ashland Town Manager Michael 

Herbert announced Ashland’s 

partnership with ClearGov. 

Herbert posed these questions: 

“Interested in seeing how your 

tax dollars are spent? Interested 

in seeing what your taxes and 

fees are like compared to other 

communities? How about what 

we spend on things like education 

compared to previous years and 

surrounding towns?” 

“As part of our continued 

efforts to increase financial 

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will need supporters who show up 

to vote.” 

According to organizers, the 

dog park committee will be nonprofit 

corporation responsible for 

operating, maintaining and improving 

Ashland Bark Park. The 

all-volunteer board of directors 

will ensure that Ashland Bark 

Park is a safe, pleasant and fun 

Glenn Brown, 

CFP®, CRPC 

508-834-7733 

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place for dogs and their people. 

To support the park, the committee 

will ask park visitors for donations, 

with 100 percent going to 

park maintenance, upkeep and 

improvement. 

For more information, visit 

www.ashlanddogpark.com or 

email info@AshlandDPC.gmail. 

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New Website Benefits Businesses 

and Residents Looking for 

Products and Services 


The Ashland Business Association 

(ABA) launched its new 

website, www.ashlandbusinessassociation.com, 

in August. In 

addition to an updated look, 

the website has improved functionality 

for its growing membership 

of nearly 120 members 

and is an easy-to-use resource 

for residents looking for local 

products and services. 

ABA members have their 

own micro site within the website, 

where they can post images, 

videos, offers, events and 

other customizable content. 

“ABA members get a customizable 

member page, which 

can supplement and help drive 

traffic to their existing business 

website, and the member page 

can serve as a website for a small 

business that doesn’t have one,” 

Adam Sachs, ABA president, 

said. “This type of responsive 

website and promotional opportunity 

is one of the benefits 

Adam Sachs announced in 

August the launch of the new 

Ashland Business Association 

website. (Photo/supplied) 

of being an ABA member.” 

“We heard from those trying 

to join or renew that the ABA 

website could be improved,” 

Sachs said. “Our members will 

now be able to add pictures and 

links to their website and social 

media pages with significantly 

greater ease than before.” 

“In addition, our new site is 

built on a platform that makes 

it a mobile app where you can 

register for events and pay event 

fees straight from your phone. 

The app also provides access 

to fellow members’ personal 

profiles and our member directory,” 

Sachs added. 

“The purpose of the ABA is 

to support businesses and help 

them grow,” Sachs said. “Our 

new website provides a professional 

design and an optimal 

experience that members can 

take advantage of.” 

Sachs invites local business 

owners to contact him with any 

questions or suggestions. He 

may be reached at 508-656- 

0503 or info@ashlandbusinessassociation.com. 

Senator Karen E. Spilka 

of Ashland Elected 

Massachusetts State 

Senate President 

Senator Karen E. Spilka 

(D-Ashland) was elected to be 

the President of the Massachusetts 

State Senate by her Senate 

colleagues on July 26. Senate 

President Spilka represents the 

Metrowest communities of Ashland, 

Framingham, Franklin, 

Holliston, Hopkinton and Medway, 

which comprise the 2nd 

Middlesex and Norfolk district. 

“Serving in the Massachusetts 

Senate has been, and will 

continue to be, one of the greatest 

chapters in my life story,” 

Chair of the Joint Committee on 

Children, Families and Persons 

with Disabilities (2005-2009), a 

committee she helped originate. 

She began her legislative career 

as a State Representative for the 

Seventh Middlesex district in 

2001. 

Prior to becoming a legislator, 

Spilka was in private practice as 

an arbitrator and mediator, specializing 

in labor and employment 

law and community and 

court mediation. In addition, 

she has been a facilitator and fact 

Our Ad & Editorial Deadline is the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue. 

Pictured (left to right): Jake Loitherstein, Senate President Karen E. 

Spilka, Joel Loitherstein and Scott Loitherstein (Photo/supplied) 

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Senate President Spilka said. “I 

pledge to uphold and maintain 

the integrity of the Senate, an 

institution I can honestly say I 

love with all of my heart. I look 

forward to working with people 

from all over the state, to build 

on the strengths we bring from 

each region, and to tackle our 

challenges head on, so that Massachusetts 

will continue to be a 

leading light in our nation.” 

Before being elected to the 

presidency, Spilka served as 

the Chair of the Massachusetts 

Senate Committee on Ways & 

Means beginning in January 

2015. Prior to that, she served 

as the Senate Majority Whip 

(2013-2015), Assistant Majority 

Whip (2012-2013), Chair of the 

Joint Committee on Economic 

Development and Emerging 

Technologies (2009-2012), and 

finder in disputes in the public 

and private sectors, as well as a 

trainer of adult mediation and 

school-based peer mediation 

programs, collaborative-based 

collective bargaining and conflict 

resolution strategies. She 

has also previously worked as a 

labor and employment attorney 

on behalf of employees, unions, 

the Massachusetts Water Resources 

Authority (MWRA) and 

the Commonwealth. 

Senate President Spilka is a 

graduate of Northeastern Law 

School and holds a B.S. in Social 

Work from Cornell University. 

She has been married for over 

20 years to Joel S. Loitherstein, 

an environmental engineer, and 

has one adult step-daughter two 

adult sons—Heather, Scott and 

Jake—and two rescue dogs.


It Takes a Village: New Garden Greets 

Students at Middle School Entrance 


When Ashland Middle School 

kids, parents and teachers return 

for the new school year, they will 

find a rock garden at the school 

entrance on Rt. 135. The garden, 

built this summer, was a collaborative 

effort by Girl Scouts Elizabeth 

Barrett and Charlotte Perry; 

Ashland Garden Club (AGC) 

member Debra Griffin; and the 

town’s Department of Public 

Works (DPW). 

The rock garden consists of 

one large and one small raised 

bed with stone borders and low 

maintenance plants on either side 

of the school sign. 

Griffin, who is an artist, applied 

her creativity to the project 

and her desire to mentor young 

people in gardening in Ashland’s 

public spaces. She worked with 

Barrett, Perry and the DPW 

to design and install the beds. 

Griffin is especially interested in 

establishing new gardens and revitalizing 

gardens that have been 

neglected. 

“It’s wonderful how cooperative 

everyone’s been,” Griffin said 

of the Middle School garden installation. 

Erik Wallace and Brandon 

Barker from the DPW were able 

to supply Griffin with New England 

field stone and loam for the 

plants. 

With this project, Barrett and 

Perry fulfilled their requirement 

for the Silver Badge, the highest 

award a girl scout can earn as a 

Cadette and the second highest 

award for a girl scout. 

To receive the award, scouts 

must create a sustainable project 

that will benefit the community 

and educate the public. To fulfill 

the requirement for educating the 

public, Barrett and Perry taught 

kids at the Ashland Farmers Market 

how gardening is beneficial to 

personal and environmental well 

being. 

The girls wrote about their 

project: “Our principal reached 

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(Photo/courtesy Ashland 

Garden Club) 

out to us about creating gardens 

and we agreed because we 

wanted to have the area reflect 

the pride we felt in our school 

community. The plantings are at 

the entrance to the school, which 

is not just seen by students and 

visitors, but everybody who drives 

on the busy main road. Also, we 

were excited to do something to 

help our local ecosystem and encourage 

biodiversity on a small 

scale and inspire our community 

to garden. 

“We learned a great deal 

about what it takes to put ideas 

into action and all the hard work 

it takes to work out the details in 

order to reach your goals. One of 

the best parts of the project was 

practicing how to teach kids and 

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realizing how enthusiastic people 

of all ages are about nature. 

Another great part of the project 

was learning how generous people 

in our town can be and how 

passionate they are about helping 

to implement change.” 

The kids have been watering 

the garden this summer and will 

continue to maintain it, texting 

Griffin with questions along the 

way. Griffin hopes they pass the 

responsibility on to other scouts 

as time goes by. 

“It’s about the excitement and 

FLEA AND TICK 

PREVENTION 

Let us help you. 

Protect your 

pets from fleas 

and ticks and 

the diseases 

they carry. 

Contact us to schedule a visit. 

(Photo/Debra Griffin) 

ownership of it,” Griffin said. 

As a garden club member, 

Griffin has revitalized several 

other public gardens around 

town, including the island at 

Pond and Eliot streets. 

AGC maintains 14 sites 

around town, according to their 

website. 

“Garden club members are 

amazing, they take care of so 

many sites throughout Ashland” 

Griffin said. “I want to help out 

what they are already doing.” 

FREE VISIT 

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Milford | Whitinsville | Woonsocket 

508-231-1223 

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Doggie Daycare • Dog Training • Grooming • Medical Boarding


Ashland Day 2018: Celebrating Civic Pride and Spirit 


Thousands of people of all 

ages are expected to attend the 

33rd Ashland Day on Saturday, 

Sept. 15. The festival, a celebration 

of civic pride, runs from 9 

am to 4 pm at Stone Park and has 

something for everyone—music 

and dance performers, games 

and amusement rides, a petting 

zoo, and more than 120 student, 

community, municipal and craft 

vendor booths. 

A large tent will be set up 

where local restaurants will sell 

food. Ashland Community Gardens, 

behind the gazebo, will be 

open for self-guided tours from 

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

“This year, there will be more 

arts and crafts vendors,” event 

organizer Joe Magnani said. 

“Another new activity this year 

is a ‘golf ball drop’ fundraiser to 

be held by the Ashland Lions on 

the basketball court at towards 

the end of the day. Proceeds will 

benefit eye research.” 

The annual children’s bicycle 

parade and contest will start at a 

new location—the Stone Park Pavilion—and 

make its way to the 

stage in front of the Gazebo. Registration 

for the parade is 9 to 9:30 

a.m.; starting time is 9:30 a.m. 

Kids will decorate their bikes in 

a ‘spirit of America’ theme. The 

child with the most unique-looking 

bicycle will win a prize. 

A highlight of the day will 

be two awards, the Grand Marshal 

and the Citizen of the Year 

award, that recognize the outstanding 

efforts of two Ashland 

residents. Local officials and 

government representatives will 

present the awards and proclamations. 

To fund the event, organizers 

will hold an auction and buffet 

dinner the night before, Friday, 

Sept. 14, which will start at 5 p.m. 

at the American Legion, 40 Summer 

St. This event raises money 

to cover the costs for the Ashland 

Day festival. 

Over the decades, countless 

volunteers have donated their 

Join the fun at the 33rd Ashland Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 15. 

(Photo/courtesy Ashland Day Committee) 

time, talents and money to bring 

this day of entertainment and 

civic pride and spirit to town 

residents. 

For more information, visit 

www.ashlandday.com and www. 

facebook.com/AshlandDay or 

email ashlandday@gmail.com. 

Acne Angst…Not Just for Teens 

PERSONAL SERVICE & COMMUNITY SUPPORT 

SINCE 1987 

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and improve your protection 

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25 West Union Street (Rte 135) 

www.phippsinsurance.com 

By Lisa Massimiano, 

Licensed Esthetician, 

Certified Acne Specialist 

Owner Skin Smart Salon 

According to a study by the 

American Academy of Dermatology, 

50% of adults continue to 

suffer from acne into adulthood. 

It is difficult enough to deal with 

acne as a teenager, but to have it 

as an adult can be humiliating, 

affecting a person’s social life and 

career. 

Achieve Clear Skin 

Before 

Like teen acne, most adult 

acne is an inherited tendency of 

the pores to clog up with dead 

skin cells. Some people never 

“outgrow” their acne. Other people, 

particularly women, can have 

adult onset acne. They never had 

it in their teen years, but started 

breaking out in their twenties and 

thirties. Several factors can contribute 

to adult acne. 

Hormonal fluctuations caused 

by pregnancy, menstrual periods 

after 

ACNE CLINIC - for all ages 

Take control and manage your acne with a customized 

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Education. Coaching. Support 

90% of my clients clear in 12-16 weeks 

Lisa Massimiano - Licensed Aesthetician, Acne Specialist 

Certified by the National Face Reality Acne Clinic 

Call to schedule your acne consultation 

508-881-1180 

44 Front Street, 2nd Floor • Ashland 

www.skinsmartsalon.com 

and menopause can cause acne 

flare-ups in women. 

Medical conditions like PCOS 

(polycystic ovarian syndrome) or 

thyroid disorder can affect the 

skin. Medications which contain 

lithium, steroids, and high androgen 

birth control pills can worsen 

acne. 

Pore-clogging ingredients in 

skin care products and hair products 

can aggravate acne. Daily 

use of inappropriate moisturizers, 

shaving creams, sunscreens and 

make-up can lead to breakouts. 

Stress plays a role in adult 

acne. While stress itself doesn’t 

cause acne flare-ups, it can aggravate 

hormones that do. The 

higher your stress level, the more 

prone you are to break out. 

Treating adult acne. 

The challenge of treating 

adult acne is that skin is generally 

drier and more sensitive. Acne 

products that work well on teen 

skin may be too drying on adult 

skin or cause irritation. It is important 

to use the right strength 

of acne-clearing products. 

At Skin Smart Salon, I work 

with acne sufferers to help them 

achieve a lifetime of clear skin. 

There is no need for anyone, 

teen or adult to be embarrassed 

by acne and the scars it can leave 

behind. 

Questions about acne? Email 

me at skinsmartsalon@aol.com 

or call me at (508) 881-1180. 

Visit my website skinsmartsalon. 

com for information on my acne 

program and other services.


Town Continues to Monitor 

for West Nile Virus 


The town, working with the 

Central Massachusetts Mosquito 

Control Project (CMMCP), 

found mosquitoes this summer 

carrying West Nile virus in the 

western part of town. Working 

with the Ashland Board 

of Health, truck-mounted Ultra-Low 

Volume (ULV) spraying 

was done in the area on July 30. 

“The town will continue to 

monitor and test the rest of the 

summer and up to the first hard 

freeze,” Jon Fetherston, Board of 

Health chair, said. 

The potential for West Nile, a 

viral infection, exists until the first 

hard freeze, which can occur in 

the Boston area in early November. 

The CMMCP in Northborough 

provides the town with a 

comprehensive mosquito control 

program, which includes ditch 

maintenance, flood control, mosquito 

surveillance, destruction of 

mosquito larvae and adult mosquito 

control. 

To reduce mosquito populations 

around your home and 

neighborhood, the CMMCP 

suggests getting rid of any standing 

water that is available for 

mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes 

FALL SPECIALS 

CIALS 

will breed in any puddle or standing 

water that lasts for more than 

four days. Here are some simple 

steps you can take: 

Dispose of or regularly empty 

any metal cans, plastic containers, 

ceramic pots, and other water-holding 

containers (including 

trash cans) on your property. 

Pay special attention to discarded 

tires that may have collected 

on your property. Tires are 

a common place for mosquitoes 

to breed. 

Drill holes in the bottom of 

recycling containers that are left 

outdoors, to let water drain out. 

Clean clogged roof gutters; remove 

leaves and debris that may 

prevent drainage of rainwater. 

Turn over plastic wading 

pools and wheelbarrows when 

not in use. 

Do not allow water to stagnate 

in birdbaths; aerate ornamental 

ponds or stock them with fish. 

Keep swimming pools clean 

and properly chlorinated; remove 

standing water from pool covers. 

Use landscaping to eliminate 

standing water that collects on 

your property. 

The CMMCP website, www. 

cmmcp.org, contains other resources, 

such as Personal Protection 

Measures. To learn more, 

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contact the Ashland Board of 

Health at 508-881-0114, the 

CMMCP at 508-393-3055, or 

visit their website, www.cmmcp. 

org. 

Unlocking 

a Secure 

Financial 

Future 

TAXES 


more importantly how we compare 

to other communities. The 

analytics are extremely powerful, 

and you can break things down 

by per capita spending for each 

category for both general funds 

and enterprise funds.” 

Learn about your 

options and how they will 

impact your retirement planning. 

Social Security: A Hit or Myth Proposition 

Presented by: Kurt Czarnowski 

Czarnowski Consulting, Former Regional 

Communications Director for the Social 

Security Administration in New England 

Planning for Medicare - Countdown to 65 

Presented by: Susan Flanagan 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA 

Factoring Social Security into Your 

Retirement Plan 

Presented by: Phil Swan 

Infinex Investment Executive, 

Norwood Financial Services at Norwood Bank 

To register, call 781-440-4278 or register 

online at www.norwoodbank.com 

“The data is taken from the 

Massachusetts Department of 

Revenue and the United States 

Census and other regulatory 

agencies. I encourage you to take 

a look around and put together 

your own comparable metrics 

and statistics. We will be interested 

in what you discover,” Herbert 

said. 

Join Us For 

a FREE 

Social Security 

Seminar! 

Tuesday, 

September 11 

at 6:00 - 7:30 pm 

(refreshments will be served) 

Can’t make it? Contact Phil at 781-440-4234 to schedule an appointment. 

Investment and insurance products and services are offered through INFINEX INVESTMENTS, INC. Member FINRA/ 

SIPC. Norwood Financial Services is a trade name of the bank. Infinex and the bank are not affiliated. Products and 

services made available through Infinex are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States and are 

not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. These products are subject to 

investment risk, including the possible loss of value.


Weston Nurseries to Host the 2nd Annual Blooms 

Brews & BBQ Fundraiser in Hopkinton 

• Date & Time: Saturday 

September 8th from 

11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Advance tickets are $10 and 

are available online at www. 

westonnurseries.com. Tickets 

are available at the gate on 

the day of the event for $15. 

Kids under 12 get in free. 

Beer tickets are $5 each and 

are good for one pour. 

• Proceeds from this event will 

benefit the Jimmy Fund in 

the fight against cancer. 

• The event will include local 

food truck vendors¨ live 

music on stage¨ craft breweries¨ 

and games¨ all on our 

beautiful event lawn surrounded 

by display gardens. 

General Dentistry & Specialty Services 

Available in office: Endodontist 

Periodontist – offering Implant Services 

Accepting many insurances including Mass Health 

The second annual Blooms¨ 

Brews & BBQ will be held at 

Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton 

on September 8th. Festivities 

include local craft breweries¨ 

food truck vendors¨ live music 

on stage¨ and games. This year’s 

event will once again be held on 

our gorgeous event lawn surrounded 

by display gardens. 

Proceeds from this event will 

benefit The Jimmy Fund in the 

fight against cancer. Weston 

Nurseries has been fundraising 

for the Jimmy Fund as their 

flagship charity for 8 years and 

has raised over $90¨000 to date. 

Each year, our staff and community 

members come together 

to participate in the Jimmy Fund 

walk, and this year, we have 

Ashland Business Scene 



(ABA) will hold its monthly 

program with a focus on community 

on Tuesday, September 

4, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Ashland 

Library, Community Room. 

Business owners will want to 

attend to learn how community 

initiatives will affect them. The 

event is free and open to the 

public. Register at www.ashlandbusinessassociation.com/events. 

Speakers will be Town Manager 

Michael Herbert on the 

new storefront improvement 

program, DPW Director Doug 

Small and Stormwater Committee 

Chair Rob St. Germain 

on the new regulations for storm 

water management, and Director 

of Prevention Outreach 

Kristin French of Decision at 

Every Turn (DAET), a community 

coalition that works to enhance 

the health and wellbeing 

of Ashland youth, on training 

opportunities for business owners. 

“The business sector is an 

important community partner,” 

French said, “because we share 

the vision of ensuring that Ashland 

is a safe and healthy place 

for families and children. Businesses 

can play an important 

role in supporting our strategies—communication, 

public 

education, media campaigns, 

policy, and enforcement—to 

address substance use. As a 

community resource for prevention, 

DAET can provide business 

leaders—who may also be 

parents, grandparents, youth 

role-models—educational information 

and resources to 

help support the young people 

in their lives in making good 

choices and healthy decisions.” 

Call to schedule an appointment 

508-498-6360 

hopkintonsquaredental.com 

22 South Street, Suite 104 

Hopkinton (Price Chopper Plaza) 

named our Jimmy Fund Walk 

Team “Such Devotion” after 

longtime employee and fundraising 

champion Bob Such. 

We hope to surpass our fundraising 

goals this year and pass 

the $100K mark with the help 

of our staff, our customers, and 

our community. 

Anyone is welcome to join 

our Walk Team. Come to the 

event, or visit our website for 

details. 

“Everyone knows someone 

who has been impacted by cancer, 

even here at Weston. It’s 

close to home, and that’s why 

this is so important,” said Peter 

Mezitt¨ Weston Nurseries President 

Start Line Brewing and Marty’s 

Liquors are lending their 

expertise in assisting with organization 

of this event, coordinating 

with local craft breweries to 

bring new and interesting varieties 

of beer to the festival. 

Information about specific 

breweries that will be present 

will be updated on the Weston 

Nurseries website as they are 

confirmed. 

On stage, we will be featuring 

a series of excellent local 

bands, including The Cold Expectation, 

the Rationales, The 

F Tones, and The Roy Sludge 

Trio. 

Children are most welcome, 

as are well-behaved pets. Last 

year’s event was a resounding 

success enjoyed by our staff and 

New Businesses 

Economic Development Director 

Beth Reynolds reported 

the following new businesses 

opened in town: 

Salon 44 at 44 Front St. is 

under new ownership. The salon 

brings you a high-end experience 

in downtown Ashland. 508-881- 

6870 

Health Spa: In need of a relaxing 

massage? Check out the 

Health Spa for the escape and 

therapy you need. 136 Pond St. 

(Dairy Queen Plaza) 

The Corner Spot 

in September 

The Corner Spot, 6 Cherry 

St., will go through September. 

The Spot features food trucks, 

kids’ activities and more! For upto-date 

information, visit www. 

facebook.com/thecornerspotashland. 

September Schedule 

• August 31-September 6: In 

attendees alike, and we have 

been looking forward to putting 

this on once again¨ and hopefully 

for many years to come. 

For any questions, please visit 

our website or call our Garden 

Center. 

Weston Nurseries is a 4th-generation, 

family-owned business located 

in Hopkinton Massachusetts, featuring 

high-quality plants for landscapes 

and gardens, as well as houseplants, 

décor, hardscape materials, and design 

services. The staff are renowned for 

their exceptional plant knowledge and 

advice, which has made Weston Nurseries 

one of the top Garden Centers in 

the country. 

the shed: Zelus Beer Company 

Beer Garden 

• September 3: Tot Spot, 

10am-11am 

• September 5: Nosh n’ Notes; 

Food truck: StreatFoodRX; 

Music - David Garden Duo, 

5:30pm-7:30pm 

• September 7-13: In the shed: 

Usborne Books 

• September 7: Open Mic 

Night with Danny Silverman, 

5:30pm-7:30pm; Food Truck: 

The Grub Guru 

• September 10: Tot 

Spot-Kindness Rocks with 

Needham Bank, 10am-11am 

• September 14-20: In the 

Shed: Jen Frappier— 

LuLaRoe 

• September 19: Nosh n’ Notes 

Food Truck: Travelin’ Bones; 

Music-TBD, 5:30pm-7:30pm 


10am-11am 

• September 21: Open Mic 

Night with Danny Silverman, 

5:30pm-7:30pm; Food Truck: 

Travelin’ Bones 

• September 21-27: Exhibit A 

Brewing Beer Garden 


10am-11am 

• September 26: Nosh n’ Notes 

Food Truck: Pangea and 

Music sponsored by Ashland 

Cultural Committee


It’s a Dog’s Life at Amusement Bark Doggy Day Care 

By J.D. O’Gara 

Melissa Ratcliffe had her priorities 

straight in all the years she 

put in at the Medway pet store. 

“Instead of waiting on the 

customers, she’d greet the dogs 

and puppies first,” laughs her 

former store manager of 14 

years, Lisa, who can’t say enough 

about Melissa’s way with animals. 

Over time at the location, 

Melissa became a trusted dog 

walker among the store’s patrons. 

Nowadays, you’ll find Melissa 

full time with her favorite canine 

buddies at a beautiful, spacious 

doggy day care facility located 

conveniently off Route 16 in 

Holliston. Amusement Bark 

Doggy Day Care, which opened 

in April of 2018, boasts a number 

of sunny, spacious and comfortable 

rooms for its charges, as 

well as two large outdoor enclosures. 

Right now, on a given day, 

about five to eight dogs frolic 

about together, although the facility 

would like to grow its canine 

family. 

“We take large and small 

dogs,” says Melissa, who explains 

that dogs are matched by 

their play style, and that doggy 

play groups will max out at 10 

to 12 dogs per dog sitter “It’s always 

going to be a small group,” 

says Melissa. “It’s nice to start 

from scratch, where you’re not 

walking your dog into a group 

of 30 dogs,” she says. Attention 

has been given to the facility 

for the safety of the pets, with 

locked gates. 

Melissa, considered “top dog” 

at Amusement Bark, got into the 

pet care business about 14 years 

ago. After earning an AS in Animal 

Science, she left a pre-veterinary 

program when she learned 

she was expecting her first child 

(who would be the first of three 

daughters, now 14, 10 and 8). 

Around the same time, she began 

working at her local pet store, 

where customers would ask her 

if she would consider pet sitting. 

“I started taking dogs into 

my house, which is fun, and 

your house gets completely destroyed!” 

laughs Melissa, who 

prefers the safe and dog-friendly 

space at Amusement bark, with 

its padded floors and sparse furniture, 

just for pooches. 

As long as dogs aren’t aggressive 

(a disposition assessment is 

required), are 12 weeks or older 

and are healthy and up to date 

with vaccinations and tick control 

medications, Amusement 

Bark is open to all dogs, even unneutered 

ones. 

“It’s important to me that everybody 

has a place to go,” says 

Melissa. “Just because they’re 

not neutered doesn’t mean they 

don’t need socialization and activity.” 

However, she adds, when 

your female dog is in heat, keep 

her home. 

Right now, two sitters have 

small groups of dogs, but as 

the doggy daycare grows, more 

personnel will be added to give 

members of the growing pack 

the individualized attention they 

need. Down the road, says Melissa, 

grooming will be added to 

services offered. 

On the day of Local Town 

Pages’ visit, three happy dogs, 

Moxie, a golden doodle with a 

perpetual smile, Amos, a white 

lab with a great disposition and 

a huge bark, and a quiet and 

sweet black lab named Captain, 

greeted newcomers – and vied 

for a brand new squeaky toy. 

Melissa says she takes her cue 

on what she’ll do each day from 

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the dogs themselves. 

“I try to do a little training 

with them every day. I try to 

brush them all every day. If they 

want to go out, we go out. If they 

want to go in, we go in,” she says. 

“They’re my doggy family.” Melissa 

says it’s great for the dogs to 

get to know each other. 

“I love how they have their 

own individual personalities, and 

they like to do different things,” 

says Melissa. “They’re such good 

company, and they’re loyal and 

will do anything for you. And so 

that’s what I try to do for them.” 

Amusement Bark Doggy 

Day Care is located at 55 Whitney 

Street, Holliston, Mass. and 

is open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

You can reach them at (508) 

429-8900 or amusementbark@ 

icloud.com, or find them online 

at www.amusementbarkma.com. 

You can also find them on social 

media on Instagram: @AmusementBarkMA 

or Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/ 

AmusementBarkMA. 

Back to Scho 

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New England Steak & Seafood Restaurant 

BANQUET ROOMS for any size party. 

Rehearsal Dinners & Bereavements 

Route 16, Mendon • 508-473-5079 

www.nesteakandseafood.com


Ashland Farmers Market Brings Creative, 

Award-Winning Food Vendors to Downtown 


The Ashland Farmers Market 

(AFM) is proud of its many creative, 

award-winning, regionally 

recognized food vendors. Two 

of these vendors will be showcased 

at AFM’s Wine, Cheese 

and Chocolate Fest on Saturday, 

September 22, 9 am to 1 pm, 125 

Front St, where patrons will be 

able to enjoy samples and learn 

about pairings with fine wine. 

Jules Remenar: Bean to 

Bar Chocolate Bars 

Chemist Jules Remenar has 

applied his knowledge of crystallography 

to handcrafting beautiful 

chocolate confections and 

marzipan. At the Dulce D Leche 

shop in Framingham (near the 

new iHop), he offers 10 unique 

mouth-watering truffles, including 

salted pistachio, cherry with 

Colombian chocolate ganache, 

raspberry with Peruvian chocolate 

ganache, and the chai latte 

truffle, as well as a collection of 

whiskey truffles. He and his wife 

Sam have won “Best Dessert” 

in the Metrowest Chamber of 

Commerce Taste of Metrowest 

for the past two consecutive years. 

In pursuit of complex and 

 

 

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Jules Remenar and wife Sam Stavar of Dulce D Leche have won “Best 

Dessert” in the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce Taste of Metrowest. 

(Photo/submitted) 

unique taste sensations in beanto-bar 

chocolates, Remenar seeks 

out cacao beans from small family 

farmers in Nicaragua, Guatemala, 

Colombia and Haiti, then 

roasts and grinds the beans in 

house to tweak the flavor profile 

of the final chocolate. “Just like 

wine and tomatoes, the diverse 

flavors and aromas in chocolate 

 

 

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can be influenced by micro-climate, 

soil and genetic variation,” 

he explained. 

The bean-to-bar chocolates 

are great for pairing with wines. 

One favorite is the “Gemmas’ Dilemma,” 

a gentle dark chocolate 

that is flavored with Tahitian vanilla 

bean and is perfect for people 

who have dairy allergies but 

 

 

Physical Therapists On Site 

Hospice Services 

84 Elm Street, Holliston, MA 

www.rehabassociates.com/timothydaniels 

Marie-Laure Couët and her mother of Couët Farm & Fromagerie 

produce between 170 and 270 pounds of cheese per week, depending 

on the style they are making. (Photo/submitted) 

don’t like dark chocolate. “Nearly 

all chocolate contains soy lecithin 

for a silkier mouth-feel,” Remenar 

said, “but our bean-to-bar 

chocolate bars are free of soy lecithin 

making them safe for those 

with soy allergies.” 

AFM customers know Dulce 

D Leche best for their delicious 

gelatos and fruity sorbettos. But 

at the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate 

Fest shoppers will be able to 

experience Remenar’s chocolate 

delights as well. 

Marie-Laure Couet: Local 

Cheesemaker 

Wine and Cheese Educator 

on WGBH, Adam Centamore, 

said Couet Farm & Fromagerie 

of Dudley, Mass., is one of the six 

Massachusetts cheese makers that 

people should know about. And 

here in Ashland, Marie-Laure 

Couet’s parents have been bringing 

their award-winning cheeses 

to AFM for three summers, just 

after the family started making 

their small-batch sheep milk and 

cow milk cheeses. The family 

makes pounds of fresh, creamy 

spreads and cave-aged wheels 

each week. 

Couet is the daughter of 

French-Canadian mathematician 

father Benoit Couet and 

French astrophysicist mother 

Marie-Christine. She tells of a 

memorable hike as a kid in the 

Swiss Alps, where she discovered 

the taste of goat cheese at 

a cheese maker’s farm hidden 

away in the mountains. “It just 

blew me away. I had never tasted 

anything so fresh and bright as I 

had in that moment,” she said. 

That was the aha moment that 

led to her career. 

In college, Couet spent her junior 

year in Geneva studying the 

environmental impact of cheese 

making in the Swiss and French 

Alps. After graduate school, she 

FOOD VENDORS 

continued on page 13


FOOD VENDORS 


studied the art of cheese making 

and goat herding, and apprenticed 

on a dozen farms. After 

buying a 23-acre farm in Dudley, 

she tested the Catalonian 

and Beaujolais recipes that she 

learned in Europe. 

She has already won four 

awards from the American 

Cheese Society in just two years. 

Cheese expert Adam Centamore 

explained, “Couët Farm’s 

quality-over-quantity philosophy 

really shows in their cheeses. My 

favorite is Fran de Maquis, covered 

in rosemary, fennel seed, 

savory, and juniper berries.” 

And in 2017 it was the American 

Cheese Society’s first-place 

winner. At this year’s competition, 

white truffle flavor Adelisca 

won second place and Fran de 

Maquis won first place (again). 

Raw, cave-aged sheep’s milk 

cheese, Evelina, and the fresh 

cow’s milk fluffy and tangy Adelisca, 

also won Silver Medals at 

the Big E Gold Medal Cheese 

Competition in West Springfield. 

Another local favorite is their 

rich honey and lavender cheese 

spread. Enjoy tasting their several 

cheeses and pairing with 

your favorite wines. 

AFM in September 

The Ashland Farmers Market 

(AFM) is held every Saturday, 9 

am to 1 pm, 125 Front St., on the 

grass across from the library. For 

more information, visit www.ashlandfarmersmarket.org/events. 

September Events 

• On September 1, the Community 

Harvest Brunch returns 

with festive family-style 

seating down the middle of 

the market. Coordinated by 

The Carve Café, many food 

vendors will provide the ingredients 

to celebrate harvest 

season. Crepe maker Marie 

Simeoni brings new French 

techniques. 40 Million Feet 

will perform acoustic alternative 

music at the Scott Buchanan 

Bandstand, 10:30 am 

to 12:30 pm. Kid’s Corner, 

9:30 to 10:30 am. 

• On September 8, it’s Ashland 

Kids Create! Young entrepreneurs 

will be selling items 

they have grown, crafted or 

created. These talented and 

creative young people will be 

working as AFM vendors for 

a day to learn what it is like 

to run a small business. Encourage 

their entrepreneurial 

spirit. Merrimack Valley Bluegrass 

Band will perform at the 

Scott Buchanan Bandstand, 

10:30 am to 12:30 pm. 

• September 15 is a regular 

market day to stock up on 

fresh fruits and vegetables, 

baked goods, cheeses, meats 

and fish, healthful drinks and 

snacks. 

• On September 22, it’s Wine, 

Cheese and Chocolate Fest! 

Taste award-winning cheeses 

and chocolates and pair them 

with our meads and wines. 

Painting at the market led by 

artist Caitlin O’Toole. Live 

music at the Scott Buchanan 

Bandstand, 10:30 am to 

12:30 pm. Kid’s Corner, 9:30 

to 10:30 am. 

• On September 29 it’s Apple 

Fest offering inventive apple 

recipes celebrating our harvest 

bounty. The Carve Café 

returns with gourmet breakfast 

and lunch sandwiches. 

Live music at the Scott Buchanan 

Bandstand, 10:30 am 

to 12:30 pm. Kid’s Corner, 

9:30 to 10:30 am. 

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Oil $1900 

Gas $3500 

AC $1150 

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888-818-2028 

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Gas, Oil and AC Equipment Sales & Service 

*Rebates and financing provided by and subject to Mass Save restrictions and limitations 

Community Gardens: 

Growing Food and Beyond 


Ashland Community Gardens 

(ACG) at Stone Park held a 

celebration and reunion on July 

29 to mark its 10th growing season. 

Gardener Florence Seidell 

recalled how the garden began 

–with a group of about 12 residents/activists 

from We Love 

Ashland! decided in late 2008 to 

start a community garden. Many 

residents came together to build 

nearly 60 raised beds on the old 

tennis court. Since then, some of 

the builders went on to start other 

community projects, like the successful 

Ashland Farmers Market. 

Gardeners, current and past, 

offered comments on what ACG 

means to them: 

• This is a story of hope, of citizens 

making a positive change 

in their own communities and 

how it has a lasting impact to 

this day. 

• I find myself drawn to the 

garden to renew my spirit and 

to feel a sense of belonging 

to a bigger and more important 

place in life. Of course 

tending my veggies is enough 

reward on its own, but sharing 

them with neighbors and family 

is additional reward. 

• The garden is about connection 

with others and making a 

difference in the world. 

• It is one way that helps me 

to be proud of our town. It 

means a sense of caring and 

community! 

Stone Park gardeners grow 

organic vegetables in a total of 

57-4x10 garden beds, including 

a double bed for growing food 

for the Ashland Food Pantry. 

The garden also has a certified 

butterfly garden, common herb 

gardens and an Asian Pear tree 

with a complementary guild. For 

Kartwheel Kids ‘Junior’ 

(Ages 12 month thru Pre-K) 

22 South Street 

Suite #205, Hopkinton 

www.kkidsgymnastics.com 

Register Now Online! 

Classes Begin September 10th 

(Photos/Cynthia Whitty) 

more information, visit www. 

facebook.com/AshlandCommunityGardens 

or email info@ashlandcommunitygardens.org. 

Kartwheel Kids 

(Kindergarten - 12yrs) 

88c Elm Street 

Hopkinton 

(508) 435-2400 

Gymnastics 

Programs 

Available 

12 month - 12 yrs 

Pre-School Gymnastics 

School Age Gymnastics 

Tumbling Classes 

Special Events 

Birthday Parties 

PJ’s & Popcorn Movie Night 

Come Train like a Ninja! 

Experience the thrill of the warped wall, 

flying dumbbells, cargo net, 

rope climbs & much more. Classes available 

for children Kindergarten to Age 12.


Sports 

Ashland Golf 

By Christopher Tremblay, 

Staff Sports Writer 

For the past 10 seasons Mike 

Roman has been the Ashland 

junior varsity golf coach, but 

when Rick LeBlanc stepped 

down he figured it would make 

for a smooth transition. The 

move up may have been rather 

seamless, but the upcoming season 

for the Clockers on the links 

may be tough. 

“We’ve lost some contributing 

seniors to graduation, but we do 

have a lot of younger kids back,” 

the new varsity coach said. “The 

good thing is that we seem to have 

a lot more kids in the pipe lines on 

the rise, which looks good for the 

future of Ashland golf.” 

Although Roman will have 

golfers that are returning to the 

course with experience under 

their belts everything is going to 

be pretty much up for grabs when 

the team opens its tryouts on day 

one (August 23). 

While this may be Roman’s 

inaugural season with the varsity 

club he has an idea of who he’s 

dealing with. Coming back to 

swing the clubs once again are 

juniors Laasya Thatavarthy and 

Brett Erwin, both athletes have 

been playing consistently in the 

top 6 for the Clockers. Erwin 

shoots in the mid to low 40’s while 

Thatavarthy is a low 40’s shooter 

and participated in the MIAA 

girls golf tournament where she 

had a first round qualifier to participate 

in the State Tournament. 

Sophomore Nick Simpson is another 

top golfer who will be in the 

mix for the Clockers. 

“I have some ideas going into 

the season, but outside of these 

Pickleball: No Pickles Used! 


Pickleball, a growing sport especially 

among seniors, is now available 

at the Ashland Senior Center. 

A paddle sport that combines 

the elements of badminton, tennis 

and table tennis, Pickleball 

was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge 

Island, a short ferry ride 

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three I’m not really sure,” Roman 

said. “There are some young kids 

that will be trying out and as for 

some of the seniors I’m not sure 

if they’ll be back or not.” 

Taking part in the Tri-Valley 

League is tough, Hopkinton finished 

second in the Division 2 

South Shore Sectionals and took 

home the State Championship 

while Dover-Sherborn grabbed 

the Division 3 South Shore Sectionals. 

While winning the TVL 

Championship would be great 

honor Ashland knows that it’s 

most likely an unobtainable feat. 

“Our goal is to continue what 

Rick (LeBlanc) was building here. 

I want the kids to go out and have 

fun while they improve upon their 

game,” the coach said. “We’re 

looking for some more kids to 

come out for the team. Improve 

their golf game and have fun 

from Seattle, Washington. Three 

dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, 

and Barney McCallum, whose 

kids were bored with their usual 

summertime activities —are credited 

for creating game. Pickleball 

has evolved from original handmade 

equipment and simple rules 

into a popular sport throughout 

the U.S. and Canada. The game 

is growing internationally as well, 

with many European and Asian 

countries. (www.usapa.org/whatis-pickleball-brief-history) 

“Pickleball was brought to my 

attention last fall,” Kim Kotob, 

senior center volunteer and activity 

coordinator, explained. 

“Someone gave me an article 

about its growing popularity in 

retired and senior communities. 

I thought it sounded like fun but 

didn’t know anything about it so 

I put it on the back burner to look 

into when I had more time. Later 

the subject came up in a conversation 

with Kelly Rund, our recreation 

director, and we talked 

about trying out an intergenerational 

Pickleball program. This 

spring, my son Jordan told me 

he had been playing Pickleball in 

gym class, and asked if we could 

get a Pickleball set. I took this as 

a sign that now was the time to 

learn Pickleball!” 

while they’re doing so.” 

Roman knows that win is the 

cure to everything and if this 

year’s team can generate some 

wins maybe they’ll be able to 

entice someone who would have 

never think about joining the 

team. 

“Everyone loves winning, but 

as long as the atmosphere is fun 

to play in maybe we can cast a 

wide net and get some kids to 

come out and play,” Roman said. 

“Even if we can get some recreational 

players to take a shot at it, 

who knows maybe they’ll like it 

and turn into a good player.” 

Ashland and its new coach is 

looking to build upon the program 

for the future and allow 

Clocker golf to move forward. In 

the past Ashland has used Glen 

Ellen Country Club in Millis as its 

home course, but as of this year 

“Within a week of posting 

the program at the senior center, 

we had a handful of seniors 

sign up to try it,” Kotob said. “By 

the next week, we were up to 20 

seniors. On the day of the first 

program, due to the heat and humidity, 

I set the net up inside, in 

the big room at the center. Sue, 

our outreach coordinator, and 

I decided to try it out. Let’s just 

say we are not ready to sign up 

for any tournaments. There were 

the team willing be calling Holliston’s 

Pine Crest Golf Club its 

new home. 

“It will be a different course, 

but most of the kids have played 

there at some point; a lot of them 

have participated in a golf camp 

there this summer,” Roman said. 

As the tryouts get underway 

Roman will have more of an 

idea what he has when the season 

opens this month. What he does 

know now that golf is as short 

season and when you are involved 

in a lot of tri-meets it makes for 

a very long day on the course. 

However, the athletes taking part 

in the sport love what they are 

doing and it doesn’t really bother 

them; they’re just looking to take 

their game as well as the team to 

the next level. 

Pickleball players (l to r) Nancy Puia, Ira Felkenheim and Connie 

Mannal. (Photo/courtesy of the Ashland Senior Center) 

some laughs that day that the seniors 

played. So, Pickleball is here 

to stay. Thursdays: Learn to Play, 

12:30 pm; Know How to Play, 

1:30 pm.” 

The Ashland Senior Center 

recently added Mahjong, Great 

Decisions discussion group and 

Zumba. For more information or 

to sign up for any of the senior 

center programs, call the office, 

508-881-0140 x1 or email kkotob@ashlandmass.com.


Sports 

Marks Has Specific Goals In 

New Role As Ashland High’s A.D. 

By Ken Hamwey 

Staff Sports Writer 

Stephen Marks is Ashland 

High’s new athletic director and 

the Bethesda, Md., native, who’s 

lived in town for the last four 

years, is not only excited about his 

new position, but he’s also eager 

to get started to fulfill some specific 

goals. 

The 38-year-old Marks wants 

the Clockers’ athletic programs to 

mirror the community and to be 

visible and competitive. 

“Ashland is a proud town and 

its people are hard-working,’’ he 

said. “I want our athletic programs 

to mirror the hard-working 

and proud culture of Ashland. I 

also want to increase our visibility. 

Youth programs in town 

are strong and I want our high 

school programs to be known in 

the community as a strength. I’m 

sure our athletes would want their 

teams to be known by the public. 

And, I want our programs to be 

as competitive as they can. If that 

means winning Tri Valley League 

titles or qualifying for tournaments, 

that’s fine.’’ 

Marks, who’s married and 

has a year-old son, is no stranger 

to athletic administration. After 

graduation from Walt Whitman 

High in Bethesda, where he 

played football and basketball, 

he enrolled at Ithaca College 

and majored in sports studies. 

Later, he earned his master in 

athletic administration from 

Ohio University. 

Marks’ last two posts no doubt 

prepared him well for what he’ll 

be facing at Ashland High. He 

worked for three years as an assistant 

A.D. at the McLean School 

(K-Grade 12) in Potomac, Md., 

then he moved to the Bay State 

where he’s been the A.D. at 

Shady Hill School (Pre K-8) in 

Cambridge for the last 10 years. 

“My experiences from college 

studies and my work at the two 

schools have been great preparation 

for me going forward,’’ 

Marks said. “I gained valuable 

experience in dealing with budgeting, 

scheduling, hiring, evaluating 

and purchasing. I had 

hoped to return to high school 

athletics. At Shady Hill School 

I focused on building programs, 

improving facilities and increasing 

participation.’’ 

Marks firmly believes he’s got 

the necessary attributes to be a 

successful A.D. “I’m passionate, 

patient, a good listener and I’m 

objective,’’ he said. “And, as far 

as strengths go, I’m organized, 

supportive of student-athletes 

and coaches, a strong supporter 

of the school’s mission and I feel 

strategic planning in one of my 

strengths. 

The personable Marks is definitely 

bullish on Ashland’s sports 

menu, its coaching staff and the 

athletic facilities. 

“There’s a wide variety of offerings 

and activities at different 

levels of competition,’’ Marks 

noted. “What I like about our 

coaching staff is that it’s passionate, 

not just about their teams but 

they all talked about Ashland athletics 

as a whole. They care about 

the town and the school. And, 

as for our facilities, they’re topnotch. 

The turf field is relatively 

new and we use the fields and the 

gyms at both the high school and 

the Middle School.’’ 

Marks is eager to keep Ashland 

moving forward in its participation 

numbers, its ability 

to compete in the TVL and to 

continue building strong youth 

programs. 

“Striving to make the athletic 

programs visible is a short-term 

way to improve participation,’’ 

he emphasized. “I want every elementary 

school student to know 

who the coach is at the high school 

in the sport they prefer. I want a 

connection to be developed. The 

league we’re in is well-respected. 

All the schools in the TVL appear 

to value education, athletic 

achievement and competition. I 

also want to support our youth 

programs fully. I want our coaches 

to be connected at that level and 

we want elementary school and 

Middle School kids to want to suit 

up in a Clockers’ uniform.’’ 

The new A.D. already has witnessed 

students suiting up, or in 

this case, stepping up. He had several 

student interns working in the 

athletic office during the summer. 

“I did that for those who might be 

interested in sports management 

to learn what goes into running 

and athletic department,’’ he 

noted. “It also helps with the visibility 

of our program.’’ 

Marks’ first priority when 

he started as the A.D. on July 2 

was “to reach out to all varsity 

coaches.’’ He also met with those 

involved in working at the facilities. 

Parents and students, however, 

got their chance to meet and 

greet him in mid-June at the fall 

coaches meeting. 

“I was introduced to the public 

by Mike Grimes, the former 

A.D.,’’ Marks said. “I appreciate 

his support and help. He was 

dedicated and he helped me get 

acclimated. I also want to thank 

Superintendent Jim Adams, 

High School Principal Kelley St. 

Coeur, the School Committee 

and the community for all their 

help in making the transition go 

smoothly.’’ 

Marks, who plans to attend 

as many sports and non-sports 

events as possible, is acutely aware 

Matt Gamache 

Realtor 

Serving Ashland for over 10 years 

that there’ll be challenges ahead. 

And, he knows they’ll be issues 

about student-athletes’ playing 

time, etc. He’s prepared to deal 

with those types of issues. 

“I’ll talk with parents but I 

first want students to meet with 

their coaches and to advocate 

for themselves,’’ Marks said. “If I 

meet with parents, I will only talk 

about their child. And, I’ll work 

with them and the coach to develop 

a plan that will be beneficial 

and make athletics a positive experience 

for that child.’’ 

Calling his late mother 

(Lynda) and father (Stan) role 

models along with his high school 

coach (Jay Ocuin), Marks is ready 

to get started as Ashland’s athletic 

chief. He’s upbeat, optimistic and 

positive. 

“I’m eager to see our student-athletes 

progress through 

hard work and dedication,’’ he 

said. “It’ll be exciting to see them 

grow, then return to visit us later 

on as they prepare for their future. 

I know at Ashland High the 

sky’s the limit. We have a lot to 

offer and we’ve got strong support 

on the inside and on the outside.’’ 

Stephen Marks should be a 

terrific ambassador for Ashland 

High. 

Call for a market analysis 

508.561.2757 

www.MattGamache.com


Committee Proposes Plan to Cover Costs for Clean Water 


Warning! Do Not Eat, reads 

the sign, which is posted at the 

otherwise idyllic Mill Pond at the 

Sudbury River—a body of water 

with a legacy of decades of environmental 

abuse. 

“Our environment is precious 

and delicate,” Doug Small, Director 

of the Ashland Department 

of Public Works (DPW), 

said. “We have learned from society’s 

previous mistakes on how 

not to protect our lakes, rivers 

and streams, and we finally have 

a chance to prevent these mistakes 

from happening again.” 

The chance referred to by 

Small is the National Pollutant 

Discharge Elimination System 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer 

System (NPDES MS4), which 

stormwater people refer to as 

MS4. Its purpose is to reduce pollution 

and improve water quality. 

Pollution poisons our ground 

water, streams, rivers and lakes. 

This mandated program is designed 

to ensure that Ashland has 

controls in place to minimize the 

chances of more pollutants being 

dumped into our precious water 

bodies. The program also encourages 

‘harvesting’ or retaining 

more of our stormwater, a benefit 

for our water-short community. 

The new MS4 permit became 

effective on July 1, and requires 

that Ashland has and begins to 

implement a comprehensive 

stormwater management plan 

in this fiscal year. The plan must 

include public participation, such 

as creating the Stormwater Advisory 

Committee, and educating 

the public about pollution 

through forums and articles. The 

intent is to make residents aware 

of what they must do to reduce 

stormwater pollution. 

Another set of requirements is 

a Green Infrastructure Program, 

designed to save stormwater, encompasses 

green-roof designs, 

water-harvesting and improved 

street and parking lot designs. 

Water-barrels that some residents 

have installed are one small piece 

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View from Main Street, Ashland, the Sudbury River at Mill Pond (Photo/Rob St. Germain) 

of this program. 

New construction must now 

be done more carefully with regard 

to pollution, and that will 

require re-writing and stricter enforcement 

of the town’s bylaws. 

In addition, during the permit 

period, the town must inspect and 

prioritize all municipal properties 

for possible retrofitting to improve 

stormwater management. 

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MS4 also dictates that the 

DPW must improve ‘municipal 

good housekeeping’—actions 

they have done for years, like 

street cleaning and storm drain 

cleaning and maintenance, but 

must now do more, more often 

and better. 

MS4 requires the town to 

identify and remediate the 

sources of stormwater pollution 

Annual Residential 1 

Stormwater Rates in Other Towns 

Chelmsford 

Chicopee 

Fall River 

Longmeadow 

Milton 2 

Newton 

Northampton 2 

$40/yr. 

$100/yr. 

$140/yr. 

$27/yr. 

$32 - 468/yr. 

$75/yr. 

$64 – 259/yr. 

Reading 

$40/yr. 

Westfield 

$20/yr. 

1 

Commercial and other property fees are based on impervious area 

2 

Variable based on impervious area 

JOYCE 

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in the town—what the EPA calls 

Illicit Discharge. The town must 

identify, map, and keep records 

on every piece of our stormwater 

infrastructure. They must test 

stormwater for pollutants and, 

once identified, they must reduce 

the pollution to acceptable levels, 

what is called the Total Maximum 

Daily Load (TMDL). 

A Plan to Cover the Costs 

“We have a plan that lays out 

the things we must do in each of 

the five years,” Small said. “We 

have estimated the costs, and now 

we need to figure out how we are 

going to pay for it.” 

The Stormwater Advisory 

Committee has been working 

closely with Small and the 

DPW on program cost estimates, 

which are about $1.5 million 

over the five-year permit period. 

As reported in last month’s Ashland 

Local Town Pages article 

(“Stormwater Dilemma: How 

Will Residents Comply With The 

New Law”), because the town’s 

budget is capped by Proposition 

2 ½, the committee has recommended 

the creation of a Stormwater 

Utility called an Enterprise 

Fund (E-fund). 

The Stormwater Utility will 

charge a fee to property owners 

and commercial enterprises. 

Non-tax-paying organizations 

will also be charged. The goal, the 

committee explained, is to make 

this fee small, fair and equitable, 

including a somewhat reduced 

fee for seniors. This fee would be 

similar to what other towns and 

cities in Massachusetts charge (see 

chart), likely in the range of $40 

per year for homeowners. That 

works out to a little more than $3 

per month, or 2 percent of what 

many of us pay for cable. 

In the future, the town may 

offer incentives for green infrastructure 

items like green roofs, 

rain-gardens and permeable 

driveways. 

Can the town choose to ignore 

MS4? “Not really,” Small said. 

“Failure to comply with the mandate 

can result in fines of as much 

as $35,000 per day.” 

Will this stormwater investment 

pay off ? Once the subject 

of pollution jokes, the Charles 

River is now swimmable, and 

Boston Harbor, once regarded 

as an open sewer, is substantially 

cleaner. Perhaps one day the 

Sudbury River will also be more 

swimmable.


Business Networking and BBQ 


Ashland Lions 

The Ashland Lions are gearing 

up for a busy year; 2018-2019 

led by “King Lion” Paul Ciccolo. 

September kicks off on the 14th 

with Ashland Lions night at 

the High School football game. 

Then Ashland Day Sept. 15th. 

Something new will be featured 

with a Golf Ball Drop. The Ashland 

fire bucket truck will drop 

the numbered balls and the one 

that is closest to the hole will win. 

Golf ball drop from the Ashland 

Bucket Fire truck. Take a chance 

to win, the ball closest to the hole 

and pin will win. 

TICKETS 1 for $5.00 

and 3 for $10.00 

Tickets will be sold throughout 

the day. Don’t forget the Lions 

Food trailer will be serving breakfast 

and lunch. 

Kidde Fenwal 6thAnnual Car 

Show, Sept.22nd 9am-5pm. 

Lions Food Trailer will be serving 

a delicious lunch. Rain date 

Sept. 29th 


joined with other 

area business associations on 

August 7 for a Regional Business 

Networking & BBQ at 

the MetroWest YMCA Family 

Outdoor Center in Hopkinton. 

The event included a 

ribbon cutting for Ken Erdelt’s 

new family business, ice cream 

truck, Refreshin’ Concessions. 

The free, member-only event 

was sponsored by YMCA Hopkinton, 

Metrowest Chamber of 

Commerce, Ashland Business 

Adopt a Highway Sept 29, 9: 

00am the Ashland Lions will be 

out in force for the fall roadside 

cleaning of Cordaville Rd. The 

cleanup starts at the Southboro 

line and ends at the Fish and 

Game Club. If you are interested 

in volunteering contact 

Lion Paul. 

Senior breakfast 

First one of the year, Thursday, 

Oct. 4, 9:00am at the Ashland 

Senior Center; Reservations 

are required to ensure that the 

Ashland Lions will have enough 

for all. Please call the Community 

Center in advance to reserve 

your seat. 

First Meat Raffle of the Year 

Oct. 6 2018 

Our Committee Chairs want 

to thank all the patrons of the 

Raffle and TJ’s for their support, 

and hope to see all our familiar 

faces, for another great successful 

year. Proceeds go to the MA 

Lions Eye Research Fund and to 

Local Charities and Ashland student’s 

scholarships. 

Association, Holliston Business 

Association, Hopkinton 

Chamber of Commerce, and 

Sherborn Business Association, 

and the businesses, 126 Self 

Storage, Annemarie’s Dance 

Centre, Clocktown Liquors, 

guaranteed Rate, Our Town 

Publishing—Home of Local 

Town Pages, and WAITT— 

We’re All In This Together. 

ASHLAND LIONS VISIT 

FARMERS MARKET 

On July 21 the beautiful new 

District 33K Eyemobile visited 

the Ashland Farmers Market 

where the trained volunteers of 

the Ashland Lions screened over 

fifty people. 

The new vehicle contains all 

the very latest equipment to do 

screenings for glaucoma, visual 

acuity, hearing and blood pressure. 

Amongst the equipment is a 

camera called Kidspot which was 

designed and manufactured for 

screening children from the ages 

of 6 months to 7 years. By taking 

a picture from a proper distance 

it can detect seven different 

diseases of the eye. It is portable 

and can be carried into nursery 

schools, daycare providers and elementary 

schools. It also has had 

great success being used on adults 

to detect the same diseases. 

The Eyemobile will be at Ashland 

Day on September 15 

from 9:00 to 1:00 so stop by and 

check us out. 

Sha’arei Shalom 

Invites Community 

to Services 

We invite you to share in the 

unique experience of High Holiday 

services at Sha’arei Shalom. 

Our services, which are open to 

the public, provide a mix of inspiration, 

spirituality and traditional 

High Holiday ritual in an 

environment full of warmth and 

community. Some of the unique 

features of our High Holiday observance 

include: 

• Open to the public 

• Purchase of tickets are 

not required; donations are 

encouraged 

• Kids services on the first day 

of Rosh Hashanah and 

Yom Kippur morning service 

• Services are highly participatory 

Whether you’re a member of 

Sha’arei Shalom or the Metrowest 

community at large, you’ll feel 

truly welcomed. Come share the 

holidays with us. 

please join us for 

HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES 

Schedule for Rosh Hashanah 

Wednesday, September 9 

@ 6:30 p.m. – Erev 

Rosh Hashanah 

Thursday, September 10 

@ 9:30 a.m – 

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 

Friday, September 11 

@ 9:30 a.m. – 

Rosh Hashanah Day 2 

Schedule for Yom Kippur 

Friday, September 18 

@ 6 p.m. – Kol Nidre 


@ 9:30 a.m. – Yom Kippur 

Morning Service 


@ 6:30 p.m. – Neilah Service 

All services held at the Federated 

Church located at 118 Main 

Street in Ashland Center. No tickets 

are required; donations are 

appreciated. 

For additional information visit 

our website at www.shaareishalom.org 

or call (508) 231-4700. 

High Holiday Services 

September 9 th – 19 th 

for more info: 

shaareishalom.org 

508-231-4700 

no tickets required 

donations appreciated 

Religious School now enrolling PreK – 7 

email: school@shaareishalom.org 

Open House - September 30th, 10am - noon


September 1: 

Harvest Brunch 

Ashland Farmers Market, 125 

Front Street, Ashland. 9 a.m. - 

1 p.m. 


Nearly News Film Premier 

Ashland VFW, 311 Pleasant 

Street, Ashland. 7:30 -9:30 p.m. 

Didn’t get to see the standing 

room only Nearly News production 

this past spring? Catch 

the film premiere on September 

5th at the Ashland VFW. The 

premiere also serves as a fundraiser 

for Ashland Community 

Theater, with a suggested $5 

donation at the door. The Ashland 

VFW will be serving beverages 

and snacks and all funds 

raised will be put towards the 

purchase of sound and lighting 

equipment. 

Lap Sit 

Ashland Public Library, 66 Front 

Street, Ashland. 10:15-10:45 a.m. 

For infants and toddlers 

through age 3. Join us for stories, 

songs and finger plays. This is 

a very large group and space is 

limited. Free tickets are handed 

out as people arrive. 


STEAM 


Street, Ashland. 11-11:45 a.m. 

Each week we read stories 

and non-fiction books about one 

John’s 

family owned and operated for 45 years 

topic and then do a related activity. 

No registration needed. 

Friday Night Movie 


Street, Ashland. 7-9 p.m. 

Please contact the library at 

508-881-0134 ext 7500 for the 

title of the film. 


Ashland Kids Create 



1 p.m. 

Calling all Kidpreneurs. 

Apply to join our market for the 

day. Please go to the Ashland 

Farmers Market website to complete 

an application. www.ashlandfarmersmarket.org. 

Flag Football 

Ashland High School, 62 E. 

Union Street, Ashland. 10 - 11 

a.m. Hosted by the Ashland 

Rec. Dept. Learn the game 

of football with Assistant HS 

football coach Jay Meade along 

with current and former AHS 

football players. Players will be 

taught skills and drills and have 

an opportunity to play in informal 

flag football games. Players 

will be separated by grade 

level: 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades, 

5th and 6th grades, and 7th 

and 8th grades. The first half 

of each session will be designed 

for players to practice football 

skills, while the second half will 

be informal flag football games. 

Birkenstock 

repair center 

Superior Shoe & Boot Repair 

21E CharlEs strEEt, holliston, Ma 01746 

839a Main strEEt (rt. 20), WalthaM, Ma 

CErtifiED in PEDorthiCs/orthoPEDiC shoE MoDs 

sPECializing in laDiEs high hEEl tiP rEPlaCEMEnt 

tall Horse riding Boot Zipper specialist 

www.superiorshoerepair.com 

John ElhiloW, C.PED, o.s.t. (508) 429-2038 

Vehicle Lettering • Window Tinting • Banners • Magnetic Signs 

83 Nickerson Road, Ashland MA • 508-429-1445 

HotplatesSigns.com • hotplates@verizon.net 

Calendar 

Emphasis will be placed on 

learning the game of football 

and its various positions, physical 

fitness and most importantly, 

TEAMWORK! Recurring 

dates throughout September. 

Please contact the Ashland 

Recreation Department for registration 

details. 


Great Discussions - Prepare to 

discuss the world 


Street, Ashland. 7-8:30 p.m. 

The Friends of the Ashland 

Public Library and Ashland Senior 

Center are partnering to 

offer the Great Decisions discussion 

group. Please contact Kim 

at the Ashland Senior Center at 

508-881-0140 x7955 or e-mail 

her at kkotob@ashlandmass. 

com to sign up. 


AEF Board Meeting 

Cirrus Apartments Clubhouse, 10 

Cirrus Drive, Ashland. 7-9 p.m. 

Please Join the Ashland Emergency 

Fund for their monthly 

meeting. 

Lap Sit 


Street, Ashland. 10:15-10:45 

a.m. 








STEAM 











508-881-0134 ext 7500 for the 



Ashland Day 

Stone Park, 77 Summer Street, 

Ashland. 10 a.m - 4 p.m. 

Ashland Day is one of the 

biggest days of the year for the 

Ashland Community! Entertainment, 

delicious food, and vendors 

selling and promoting all 

the great things that make Ashland 

amazing! 

Market Day 


Front Street, Ashland. 9 a.m. 

- 1 p.m. 


Lap Sit 


Street, Ashland. 10:15-10:45 a.m. 








STEAM 











508-881-0134 ext 7500 for the 



Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Fest 



1 p.m. 


Lap Sit 


Street, Ashland. 10:15-10:45 

a.m. 








STEAM 











508-881-0134 ext 7500 for the 



Apple Fest 


Front Street, Ashland. 9 a.m. 

- 1 p.m. 

Federated Church of Ashland 

September 2018 Community Events 

Every Wednesday 


118 Main Street, Ashland MA 

Thrift Shop is Open 10 AM – 7 

PM 

Thrift Shop will be CLOSED 

September 5th 

Thrift Shop BAG DAY SALE 


Every Saturday 



Thrift Shop is Open 9 AM – 1:30 

PM 

Thrift Shop will be CLOSED 

September 1st 

Thrift Shop BAG DAY SALE 


October 2 - 30 



Pumpkin Patch will be Open! 

Saturday – November 3 



65th Annual Church Fair 

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM


Greater Ashland Lions News 

Thank You to those who contributed 

to our Pennies For Sight 

Day, August 25th, at the Farmers 

Market collecting pennies for 

Sight For Blind Babies. 

The first official meeting of the 

Ashland Greater Lions is scheduled 

for Sept. 6th at Erica’s Ristorante 

at 6:30 p.m. Call Lion Beth 

508 380 8398 or Lion Ellie 508 

875 4513 for more information. 

Sept. 15th Ashland Day stop 

by our booth and reserve your 

Holiday Swag or Wreath. 

Sept. 16th We are sponsoring 

the Mass. Lions Eye Mobile 

for the Condo Association on 

Captain Eames Circle from 11 

a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Visit the New Eye 

Mobile for FREE Eye screenings. 

Sept. 22. The Annual “White 

Cane” Toll Road 9-12 p.m. All 

donations go directly to Massachusetts 

Lions Eye Research 

Foundation. 

MEAT SHOOTS BEGIN: Sept 

22nd, every Saturday from 3-5 

p.m. at the Ashland American 

Legion, Summer Street, sponsored 

by the American Legion, 

American Legion Auxiliary, Sons 

of the Legion and the Greater 

Ashland Lions. Proceeds from 

this event support our veterans 

and community projects. 

Save the date and reserve 

your tickets NOW! 

October 18th Ashland VFW 

Hall “Marconi’s co. & Catering” 

2nd Annual Porchetta 6:30 p.m., 

$25 per ticket. Proceeds benefit 

Eye Research and Community 

projects. Contact Lion Ellie 508 

875 4513 or Lion Beth 508 380 

8398. 

Note of Interest:: The Greater 

Ashland Lions 9th Annual Coat 

Drive will begin on Oct. 15, and 

continue thru Jan. 6, 2019. All 

coats are professionally cleaned 

by Anton Cleaners. Donations 

of coats and winter jackets will 

be accepted. (NO rips, tears or 

permanent stains, broken zippers 

or missing buttons please). 

Collection locations at variousplaces 

such as Shear Perfection, 

Ashland Community Center, and 

Ashland Town Hall, just to name 

a few. Contact Lion Deb 508 881 

2117 for information or pick up. 

. 

The 31st International Lions 

Clubs Peace Poster Contest 

The theme this year “Kindness 

Matters,” open to Middle 

School students ages 9-13. This 

is the opportunity for students to 

express themselves in free hand 

drawing with pencil, crayon and 

paint focusing on their idea of 

what the theme means to them. 

Judging starts at the school level 

and continues to District and 

State with the winner going to 

the Lions Clubs International 

convention in June. The contest 

concludes the second week of 

November. See your Art Teacher 

or contact Lion Marla for more 

information 508 529 9083. 

Submitted by l.ion Ellie Torelli, 

Past President 

PREMIER IMAGE GALLERY 

Specializing in Museum Quality Framing 

Finest Selection of Original Artwork 

by Local Artists 

Celebrating 29 Years as a family owned business 

290 Eliot Street, (Ledgemere Plaza) • Ashland • (508) 881-4730 

www.premier-image.com 

FIREWOOD 

508-380-8717 

Full Cord, 

Cord-and-a-Half, 

& two Cord loads delivered. 

SEMI-SEASONED & SEASONED 

wood available. 

Gary Schofield 

What Does an Interest Rate 

Increase Do to Home Buying 

and Selling Power? 

By Judi Teller & 

Tracy Beaudoin, 

Premier Realtor Team 

Have you ever wondered why 

mortgage interest rates are so 

important to buyers and sellers? 

For a buyer, it’s about buying 

power, and for a seller, it’s the 

size of the pool of buyers. 

When working with both 

buyers and sellers, we know that 

with each slight increase in a 

mortgage interest rate, even a 

fraction, it will affect the ability 

to sell or purchase in one way or 

another. 

We reached out to Brian Ambrose 

of New Horizon Mortgage 

to put some hard numbers 

to the facts. “So much goes into 

accessing buying power, including 

credit scores, debt to income 

ratio, etc. and the mortgage 

interest rate at that moment,” 

stated Ambrose. 

For example, take a family 

with an annual household 

income of $100,000 per year 

borrowing $300,000. A rate increase 

of .25% would increase 

their payment by $45.20 a 

month which would lower their 

preapproval amount by roughly 

$8,000.00. 

The bottom line for buyers. 

For every half percent (.5%) 

increase in interest rate your 

purchasing power may be decreased 

by four to five percent 

(the percentage is smaller for 

lower loan amounts). 

For every one percent (1%) 

interest rate increase, your purchasing 

power may be decreased 

by nine to 11 percent (the percentage 

is smaller for lower loan 

amounts). 

The bottom line for sellers. 

As property values increase 

and buyer power decreases, the 

pool of buyers for your home 

tightens. Fewer buyers may result 

in longer days on market 

and a lower sale price. 

If only we had a crystal ball 

is what we tell our buyers and 

sellers. Today, it is still a seller’s 

market. Will this trend continue? 

Will interest rates rise 

and if so, how much? Will the 

tide change to a buyer’s market? 

We can’t begin to predict that, 

but we can say that right now, 

as interest rates remain low and 

homes continue to sell as quickly 

as they are, it is a great time to 

buy or sell a home. 

would like to say 

WELCOME ABOARD! 

to 

Will Rose 

Our Newest Agent Addition at ERA Key in Millis! 

ERA Key Realty Services is pleased to announce the addition of 

Will Rose to our Millis Office. Will has been a License Real Estate 

Agent for over 13 years, and a Proud Millis Resident since 1987. 

A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic University, Will brings with him 

decades of noteworthy sales experience and excellent customer 

service standards; having spent 20 years in International Importing 

& 20 years with Citizen Watch Company respectively. 

Will is excited to continue providing this same high level of care to 

his real estate clients with ERA Key and is extremely eager to be 

of service to you; whatever your real estate needs may be. 

Will Rose, Realtor® 

Cell 508-935-7381 

willrose@erakey.com 

707 Main Street ~ Millis, MA 

Oates 

Removal 

Service 

Judi Teller and Tracy Beaudoin 

are Executive Partners of the Premier 

Realtor Team, Realty Executives 

Boston West. They both are longtime 

residents of Ashland and have 

been selling homes in Ashland and 

surrounding communities for over 15 

years. They can be reached at info@ 

premierrealtorteam.com or visit their 

website www.PremierRealtorTeam. 

com. 

“Will is an Experienced, Personable 

& Efficient Salesperson who will be a 

Wonderful Addition to our Millis Office. 

“We are So Proud to have Will Rose as a 

Part of Our Team!” 

~ ERA Key Millis 

Office Manager 

Junk Removal 

& Light Demolition 

- Great Service- 

Reasonable Rates - 

OatesRemovalService.com 

Michael@OatesRemovalService.com 

978-944-1339


COLDWELL BANKER 

FIND OUT WHY WE ARE #1 IN ASHLAND 

Back To School! 

Have a Great Year! 

NATICK 

117 West Central Street Natick, MA 01760 

508.655.0680 

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not 

warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential 

Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered 

service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 233150NE_12/17

Ashland September 2018

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