Giving Thanks in North Reading

On Sunday, November 23^rd, I once again co-hosted with House Minority Leader Brad Jones and his wife Linda our annual Thanksgiving dinner in North Reading for seniors. Hundreds of people from the community came out to enjoy the food and festivities. Sunday's dinner also featured singing from Sgt. Dan Clark, his wife Mary Colarusso, and the Senior Echoes.

The event provided all of us who attended with an opportunity to join in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the appreciation of what we have in our lives. Posted below are a few photos from Sunday’s dinner.

The Opening of the North Reading High School

On Saturday, September 20th the Town of North Reading and the North Reading Public School System conducted opening ceremonies for the new North Reading High School, and I was honored to have been able to address the crowd of people in attendance. The new school building is an excellent example of an educational facility that will provide an outstanding environment for the community’s children to learn for decades to come.

I was pleased to work with Rep. Jones and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to secure $47 million of reimbursement towards the $107.7 million project. Other speakers during the opening ceremony included Representative Brad Jones; Superintendent Kathleen Willis; MSBA Deputy Executive Director Barbara Hansberry; Chairperson of the North Reading Board of Selectmen, Robert Mauceri; Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto; High School Principal Jon Bernard; School Committee Chairperson, Gerald Venezia; and Chairperson of the North Reading Secondary Schools Building Committee, Charles Carucci.

Also during the opening ceremony the choral group “Imagine the Possibilities”, whose members range from 5th-12th grades, performed for the crowd, and Geof Simons provided a video presentation of a time-lapse photo montage of the school being built. Following the opening ceremony, student-led and self-guided tours were provided.

Posted below and in the “Read more” section are several photos I was able to capture during the opening ceremony and of the school. To learn more about the new North Reading High School, please click here.

A Special Dinner Honoring Veterans

On Sunday, September 28th, I was privileged to have the opportunity to attend and to speak at the 5th Annual Dinner Social honoring our veterans, which was organized by the North Reading Veterans Department. The dinner at the Hillview Country Club presented a special opportunity to thank those for their bravery in defending this great nation by enlisting into our military forces.

The dinner showcased the Lynn English JROTC Marine Corps Cadets, who performed their live version of the Missing Man Table Ceremony, music, great speeches, and wonderful conversations with our veterans.

Posted below are several photos I was able to capture during the event.

Enjoying the North Reading Apple Festival

On Saturday, September 20^th, Representative Jones and I were able to attend North Reading’s annual Apple Festival.  The town’s festival was held on the grounds of the Putnam House, which was built in 1720 and currently serves as the headquarters of the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society, from 10:00am-3:00pm. 

Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the 20^th anniversary of the festival. The beautiful day featured apples harvested from area farms, local vendors, an apple pie contest, entertainment, children’s games, pony rides, plenty of food to enjoy, an art raffle, a silent auction, and tours of North Reading’s historical buildings.  Once again the North Reading Apple Festival was a tremendous success.  The hard work of the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society and the efforts of local community supporters truly paid off.

Posted below are several photos I was able to capture during the festival.  To learn more about the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society please click here.

Honoring a Local Olympic Hero

On Saturday, March 8^th I had the honor to attend the Welcome Home Celebration for US Women’s hockey player and North Reading resident Alex Carpenter.  During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Alex joined her team in the rink against fierce competition and performed admirably while demonstrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and resolution.

With a powerful left handed shot, Alex scored goals during both the semifinals against Sweden, and the finals against Canada, ultimately winning the silver medal for the United States.

Hundreds of people came out in support of Alex during Saturday’s Welcome Home Celebration, which featured two ladder trucks from the North Reading and Middleton fire departments, the North Reading Police Department, and local officials.  I also presented an official House of Representatives Resolution that Representative Brad Jones and I sponsored recognizing Alex for her achievements while serving as an inspiration to us all.

Posted below are several photos from the day’s event, some of which were taken by North Reading Selectman Bob Mauceri.

A Special Dinner Honoring Veterans

On Sunday, September 16th, I was privileged to have the opportunity to attend and to speak at the 3rd Annual Dinner Social honoring our veterans, which was organized by the North Reading Veterans Department and the North Reading Veterans Committee. The dinner at the Hillview Country Club presented a special opportunity to thank those who listened to the call to defend this great nation by enlisting into our military forces.

The dinner showcased an Honor Guard and a POW/MIA presentation table, music, great speeches and wonderful conversations with our veterans. Posted below are two photos of the event.

(From left to right Representative Jim Miceli; Director of Veterans Services for North Reading, Susan Magner; Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr)