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www.StonebridgePress.comNewsstand: 75 centsFriday, January 7, 2022Local business owners support Bay PathPhoto CourtesyBay Path Director of Career and Technical Education James Tripp Pockevicius, carpentry instructor Ron Johnson, STP co-owner Seth Chisolm, students Sabien Gonzalez, JeffreyDenham, Ismael Porrata, Richard Corriveau, Margaret Russell, Emma Bransky, Bay Path Superintendent-Director Kyle Brenner, STP co-owner Mary Chisolm, and Bay PathPrincipal Cliff Cloutier.CHARLTON — Bay Path RegionalVocational Technical High Schoolrecently received a generous donation of 5,000 from local businessowners Seth and Mary Chisholm.The Chisholms own and operateSkilled Trades Partners, or STP,based in Fiskdale.Seth Chisholm, who considershimself a proud graduate of BayPCE grantrecipient, BayPath LPNhelp to improvepatient careCAMBRIDGE — In many hospitalsacross the nation, entry-level nursing requires a Bachelor’s in nursingdegree. At Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT) Medical, Bay PathPractical Nursing Academy alumna and PCE grant recipient LindaChavez, LPN, class of 2019 is shining!MIT Medical provides further training which isencouraging forChavez.Working thefront lines ofhealthcare,Chavez cannothelp but remember how hernursing journey started.Linda Chavez“I was workTurn ToCHAVEZ,pageA4Path’s carpentry class of 1993, visited the school with his wife to speakwith students about how the transferable skills he learned as a studentat Bay Path helped make him successful in life.When asked what motivated him togive back to the program, Chisholmalluded to his “great experience inthe carpentry shop,” also comment-ing on how much he enjoyed beingon the school’s football team. Heelaborated by saying that with hisbusiness ‘we hire all skilled tradespeople, are entrenched in the skillsgap, and want to now support younger people in the trades.’Chisolm said that returning to theschool was a “great experience” forhim, noting that he knew exactlywhere to turn in the building to getto the shop area, despite the updatesand renovations that occurred sincehe was enrolled at the school and“even though it had been so long.”The Chilsoms’ donation and theirvisit to the school had a clear andpositive impact on Bay Path stuTurn ToBAYPATH,pageA3Nichols College and Team TrainingAssociates, LLC, create degree pathway inpublic safety leadershipDUDLEY — Nichols College hassigned an articulation agreement withTeam Training Associates, LLC (TTA)of Thompson, Connecticut, to streamline the transition to a bachelor’s ormaster’s degree program for TTAcertified public safety leaders.Students who successfully completethe Public Safety Leadership Academy,and other certificate programs at TTA,can earn academic credit toward theNichols College Bachelor of Sciencein Business Administration with aconcentration in criminal justice management or the Master of Science inCounterterrorism (MSC).“This is a unique opportunity for theregion’s law enforcement and emergency response managers to increase theireffectiveness as leaders and preparefor the future of these fields,” saidGlenn M. Sulmasy, JD, LL.M, president of Nichols College. “At Nichols,Photo Courtesythey will build on the excellent leadership training offered by TTA to From left, sitting, Julie Rumrill, Senior Associate, and Eric Murray, President, of Team TrainingTurn ToSAFETY,pageA6 Associates LLC; Nichols President Glenn Sulmasy; standing, Nichols Associate Deans TomStewart and Allison McDowell-Smith.Baker urges masking, vaccination amid post-holiday surgeBY KEVIN FLANDERSSTAFF WRITERREGION – Despite the surge ofCOVID-19 cases during the holiday season, Gov. Charlie Baker doesn’t plan toreinstitute indoor mask mandates.The Baker-Polito Administrationrecentlyannouncedmeasuresto addressthe statewide spikein COVID19cases,656525 10391 9 i n c l u d inganindoor mask advisory. Measures arealso intended to ensure that hospitalshave sufficient capacity to care for bothCOVID and non-COVID patients.“The Commonwealth’s healthcaresystem is facing a critical staffingshortage, which has contributed to theloss of approximately 500 medical andICU hospital beds,” read a statementreleased by Baker. “Hospitals are alsoseeing a high level of patients, manydue to non-COVID related reasons.”Getting your COVID-19 vaccines andbooster remain the most effective waysto protect against serious illness orhospitalization from the virus, officialssaid. In a report released last weekby the Mass. Department of PublicHealth, data showed that 97 percentof COVID-19 breakthrough cases inMassachusetts have not resulted in hospitalization or death. Moreover, unvaccinated individuals are five times morelikely to contract the virus than fullyvaccinated individuals, according to theDPH report.Massachusetts continues to be anational leader in COVID-19 vaccinations, with more than 94 percent of eligible residents having received at leastone dose. Approximately 74 percent ofthe eligible population is fully vaccinated, and Baker’s staff has opted topromote continued vaccinations ratherthan restore mask mandates.Additionally, the Governor activated 500 members of the MassachusettsNational Guard to address the non-clinical support needs of hospitals andtransport systems. Up to 300 of theseGuard members will support 55 acutecare hospitals, as well as 12 ambulance service providers across theCommonwealth.“DPH surveyed all hospitals andambulance service providers, and inconcert with the Massachusetts Healthand Hospital Association, has identifiedfive key roles that non-clinical GuardTurn ToBAKER,pageA3
2 THE AUBURN NEWS Friday, January 7, 2022Hitchcock Academy hosts holiday celebrationBRIMFIELD — As the sole bonafide community center serving theSturbridge area, Hitchcock Academyis home to gatherings and groups forscouts, artists, painters, martial artists, yogis, and learners of all agesin numerous crafts, skills, and disciplines. A huge variety of activities havejust one thing in common: each bringspeople together for shared experiences.And when it comes to creating a senseof community online, Hitchcock worksto do that, too.Through the month of November, thenonprofit community center orchestrated a campaign of gratitude entitled#30DaysOfThanks, featuring community members daily who had made animpact on the organization in 2021, andunited people in appreciation of thosewho had been generous.On Dec. 11 and 12, the center welcomed the community at large for atwo-day celebration of the holiday season at Christmas at Hitchcock. Theevent was all free of charge, offered asa gift to all who attended thanks to thegenerosity of volunteers and a localsponsor. Coming together in gratitude,in giving, and in gathering in celebration, are all three tenets of buildingcommunity, and are all the more essential during trying times.“In our current political climate,it’s so important to create momentsof connection, celebration, and gratitude,” says Executive Director CindySkowrya. “There are so many invitations to be angry, to judge one anotherfor our differences, and to be divided.We need to make sure we counteractthat by bringing people together to common ground, and that’s what Hitchcockdoes. A sense of connection and community is something we all seek andneed.”The #30DaysOfThanks Campaignwas met with enthusiasm, seeingrecord levels of engagement for theorganization and garnering a slew ofcomments cheering on the people whowere recognized. The largest responsewas acknowledging one of Hitchcock’sclosest and dearest supporters, Mr. JimAdams, 93, who joined in on a community clean-up of Hitchcock’s tennis courtsback in April, donning a pair of workgloves and joining a group clearingbrush and sprucing up the area afteranother local resident suggested the initiative. A decorated vet born and bredin Brimfield, and an alum of Hitchcockduring its long-ago tenure as a free highschool, Mr. Adams is well-known in thecommunity, and is heralded for granderachievements such as hiking the entireAppalachian Trail as much as his dailyones such as patiently maintaining hishome and lawn, as he sets a fine dailyexample of civic responsibility, neighborliness, patience, and persistence.Other honorees include Monson resident Derek Campbell who reached outto the organization out of the blue tohelp with its first annual golf tournament, ultimately securing a dozenraffle prizes and a number of playersto participate, and Brimfield residentEd Searah who volunteered his buckettruck to string up lights to decoratethe tree in front of Hitchcock, and alsocleaned the gutters and tended to someother trees needing TLC free of chargewhile he was at it.The organization highlighted manypeople who don’t often receive publicrecognition, those who quietly givetheir time in support of communityinitiatives, such as Susan Desy, MaryBernstein, Anna Ozolins, Charlotteand Bob Corry, Carrie Deltoro, SharonPalmer, The Bolte Family, Karen Ballou,Linda Fuchs, Sue Gregory, Bob Clark,Lester Twarowski, Mark Carron, CedricDaniel, and Les & Steven Skowrya.The organization’s feel goodvibes went palpable at Christmas atHitchcock, where attendees couldCharlton sees staying power ofhybrid meeting modelBY JASON BLEAUCORRESPONDENTCHARLTON – In the nearly two yearssince the COVID-19 pandemic firstforced a nationwide shutdown, countless entities have embraced onlinemeeting rooms and livestreaming toget their business done. This includestowns and local governments who tookto Zoom, Facebook, YouTube and otheronline video and meeting services tomake sure business continues to takeplace with the public’s involvement.Over time, this approach has becomemore than just a temporary additionto the public meeting format as communities like Charlton have begun toembrace them as alternatives to attending live gatherings without actuallyreplacing in-person meetings. Sincetown governments were forced to adjustto an online-only approach in early2020, Charlton has begun streaming itsmajor board meetings, most notably theBoard of Selectmen, on Facebook andZoom while also enhancing its previously existing video sharing resource,the TVCharltonMass YouTube page.Town Administrator Andrew Golassaid Charlton has seen great benefitsfrom embracing online meetings, specifically the hybrid format which hasbeen utilized by the town’s Board ofSelectmen since in-person meetingswere once again allowed.“I think it’s been very well received,and I definitely want to try to make thisa permanent fixture moving forwardreally for as many boards and commit-tees as possible,” Golas said. “We atleast want to offer the hybrid versionfor meetings and public participationbecause we know that the ability forpeople to make a 5 or 6 o’clock meetingat the town hall on a Tuesday night, forexample, is just not the same now as itwas twenty or thirty years ago. I thinkthis is a great tool for the general publicto get involved in a way that doesn’thave to be inconvenient for them. Theycan log in and participate in town government without making it to everymeeting in person.”Hybrid meetings allow members ofthe public to watch meetings live onlineand also submit comments, either verbally or through a message board, fortown officials to respond to in real time.The hybrid model has seen great success with the Board of Selectmen whohave taken to broadcasting nearly everymeeting on Facebook with a higherquality recording of the meeting lateradded to YouTube for citizens to watchat their leisure. While the selectmenare usually together in-person for theirmeetings, some boards still conduct alltheir meetings through online meetingrooms where those meetings are alsorecorded for posterity. Golas said thisapproach will continue for at least afew more months but doesn’t expect anonline-only format to be a permanentmodel.“The ability to have the remote meetings is going to be allowed until atleast, I believe, the beginning of Apriland then we could see some form oflegislation that will allow it to contin-Crooked Creek Farm est. 1992 East Brookfield, MassachusettsStock upnow!Quarter, Half sidesof beef available!FREE LOCAL DELIVERY!To purchase your meat packagesCALL/TEXT: (774) 200-7308www.CrookedCreekFarmMA.comEmail: crookedcreekfarmma@gmail.comue beyond that to some extent,” Golassaid. “I think that the hybrid modelof the majority of the boards meetingin person will definitely be a fixture,but I think it will be interesting to seehow the legislature wants to treat fullyremote meetings moving forward.”Golas clarified that the remote andhybrid models only apply to meetingsof boards, commissions and committees and not to town meetings. Publicgatherings like the annual town meeting are required to be in-person throughstate law and do not afford participationto those online as it would be difficult,if not impossible, to verify every onlineparticipant’s residency in Charltonthrough an online method, somethingthat is required for anyone to commentat a town meeting. Still, it looks like atleast the hybrid board meeting modelis here to stay and Golas hopes to seethe system perfected enough to have amajority of the town’s elected bodiesparticipate in the format.Those who wish to be a part ofCharlton meetings online or remotelycan do so in several potential ways.First, all boards and committees havelinks or details concerning livestreaming posted on the agendas for theirupcoming meetings. Second, somemeetings will be broadcast on eitherFacebook, YouTube or both, again withconfirmation posted on the agenda. Allmeeting agendas can be found by visiting www.townofcharlton.net and clicking the “Agenda & Minutes” link on thehomepage.enjoy live music, decorate Christmascookies, make ornaments and swags,shop from local vendors, play gamesand watch ice carving, write lettersto Santa and cards to vets, visit withSanta, and enjoy a special reading of“‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,”all while sipping on complimentary hotcocoa and coffee. More than 200 people of all ages attended the event, andtwo days of festivities were offered freeof charge, thanks to Hitchcock PoolWater’s sponsorship of the event anda host of helpers, including all of themusicians who volunteered their talents, instruments, and time, like localfavorite Livestock, Brimfield’s bell ringers, Frozen Red, and Clark Howell ofthe Time Stretchers, among others.“I watched strangers meet, get toknow one another, and exchange contact information before leaving theevent, and listened to kids giggle withglee in the presence of Santa, and we allsang along to Christmas carols togetherled by the members of 4-H SteerageRock Riders (one of the many groupswho calls Hitchcock home) at the endof the day on Sunday. If that doesn’t liftyour spirits, I don’t know what would,”says Skowrya. “There are lots of placesto go with your friends, but Hitchcockis a place where we see a lot of people come in as strangers and leave asfriends. It’s wonderful to see.”Hitchcock’sannual“Friends”Campaign has currently raised justover 5,000 of its 10,000 year-endgoal. Donations can be made throughHitchcock’s website (www.hitchcockacademy.org) or via cash or check onsite. Donations can be made in memoryor in honor of someone who inspiredthe gift, and each gift, no matter thesize, will help to ensure that Hitchcockcan continue its mission of buildingcommunity through feel-good fun.Central OneFederal CreditUnion providesholiday gifts tocommunitySHREWSBURY — Central OneFederal Credit Union was happy to helpmake the holidays a little brighter forlocal children by making donations toAuburn Youth and Family Services,Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services,Westborough Youth and Family Services,and Northborough Helping Hands. Wealso want to thank our members andstaff who donated gift cards and toysat our branches to benefit the aboveorganizations and the local Toys for Totsholiday drive.About Central One Federal CreditUnionCentral One Federal Credit Union isa not-for-profit financial institution thatprovides members with excellent, personalized service. Central One offers awide range of savings, deposit, and loanproducts designed for the local community, and has branches in Shrewsbury,Auburn, Northborough, Westboroughand Worcester, and school-branchesin both Shrewsbury and WestboroughHigh Schools. Learn more about CentralOne and why we have been chosen asone of the top credit unions in CentralMass. www.centralfcu.com.CommunityConnectionYour area guide to local businesses!To advertise on this page please call June at 508-909-4062.Find Us on Social MediaJEWELERSFine Jewelry & GiftsGrab ‘N’ Go Home-styleLunch, Dinner,and Tasty TreatsCatering Available!Rt. 20, 630 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA 01566508-347-7077Open 7 Days a Week 11am-7pmhearthstonemarket1@gmail.com hearthstonemarketandcatering.com508-248-9797The Jewelry store where you buy with confidenceWE BUY GOLDSpecializingin Custom DesignsAll types of Jewelry RepairsMASTERJEWELERS BRILLIANCE YOU DESERVE 409 Main St. Southbridge, MAmorinjewelers.com 508-764-7250Located at CVS PlazaDon’t Pay Too Much for PropanePROPANEPRICE PER GAL PROPANE0-50 . 5.5050-75. 3.2575-150 . 2.85150-300. . 2.55PRICE PER GAL300-500. 2.35500 PLUS. 2.20Duel Fuel . 3.50Drop off Tanks. 3.00Tanks Filledto 80%DriverDiscretionDON’T PAY TOO MUCH FOR OIL! Monday price 1/3/22 was2.99 per gallon* 100 gallon minimumONLINE ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE ATwww.charltonoil.com“Call Us First!”*prices subject to change
Friday, January 7, 2022 GWCF grants 1.9 millionto 110 awardeesWORCESTER — The GreaterWorcester Community Foundationannounced the 110 awardees of its2021 Community Grants: a total of 1.9million. Community Grants are madepossible by people who have set up discretionary funds with the Foundation.This type of fund provides GWCF withthe maximum amount of flexibilityto grant resources where communityneeds are greatest.“In the face of such demand for services, our local nonprofits are proving their dedication to serving others,”says Carolyn Stempler, Interim GWCFPresident and CEO.Stempler also noted how other societal changes informed this year’s grantmaking, adding “Nonprofit organizations have a unique relationship withthe community, partnering with individuals with lived experience to tacklethe most pressing problems.”In recognition of this, GWCF actively sought to support nonprofit organizations doing authentic work aroundincreasing racial equity, centering community voice, and working to changesystems.For 2021, Community Grants set itsfocus on three strategic areas: Health& Wellbeing, Thriving Families, andCreative Worcester. In response, theFoundation saw its highest numberof applicants, and was able to fundover half of them. The Foundation alsoincreased its arts investment comparedto previous years, and singled out agroup of organizations working onadvocacy and policy change.Those organizations receiving fundsfor operating support this year are:Abby’s House Operating Support 30,000African Community EducationProgram Operating Support 50,000Ansaar of Worcester OperatingSupport 25,000Apple Tree Arts Operating Support 10,000ArtsWorcester Operating Support 17,500Audio Journal, Inc. OperatingSupport 7,500Black Excellence Academy OperatingSupport 25,000Camp Putnam, Inc. OperatingSupport 7,500Catholic Charities of Diocese ofWorcester Operating Support 40,000Central Massachusetts HousingAlliance, Inc. Operating Support/Advocacy 15,000Coalition for a Healthy GreaterWorcester Operating Support/Advocacy 20,000CommunityHarvestProjectOperating Support 10,000Crocodile River Music OperatingSupport 20,000Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc.Operating Support 30,000Dress for Success Worcester IncOperating Support 12,500Edward Street Child ServicesOperating Support/Advocacy 25,000Genesis Club House, Inc. OperatingSupport 30,000Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc. OperatingSupport 5,000Girls Incorporated of WorcesterOperating Support 20,000Greater Worcester Land TrustOperating Support/Advocacy 10,000Growing Places Garden ProjectOperating Support 10,000Interfaith Hospitality Network ofWorcester Operating Support 15,000Jeremiah’s Inn Operating Support 25,000Joy of Music Program, Inc. OperatingSupport 15,000Latino Education Institute OperatingSupport 50,000Legendary Legacies, Inc. OperatingSupport 40,000LGBT Asylum Task Force OperatingSupport 20,000Literacy Volunteers of GreaterWorcester Operating Support 20,000Living In Freedom Together, Inc.Operating Support 40,000Main South Community DevelopmentCorp Operating Support 50,000Music Worcester, Inc. OperatingSupport 20,000NewVue Communities OperatingSupport 25,000North Star Family Services, Inc.Operating Support 10,000OurStory Edutainment OperatingSupport 15,000Pakachoag Music School of WorcesterOperating Support 15,000Pathways for Change OperatingSupport 15,000Pernet Family Health Service, Inc.Operating Support 40,000PleasantStreetNeighborhoodNetwork Center Operating Support/Advocacy 10,000Project New Hope Operating Support 15,000Rachel’s Table Operating Support 10,000Regional Environmental Council, Inc.Operating Support 25,000Render Creative Inc/Main IDEAOperating Support 10,000Rise Above Foundation OperatingSupport 10,000Southeast Asian Coalition of CentralMA Operating Support 50,000Squares Squared, Inc. OperatingSupport 10,000Studio Theatre Worcester OperatingSupport 10,000The CASA Project Operating Support 25,000The Shine Initiative OperatingSupport 20,000The Village Operating Support 15,000Together for Kids Coalition OperatingSupport/Advocacy 15,000Tri-Valley, Inc. Operating Support 10,000WCUW Inc. Operating Support 5,000WICN Public Radio, Inc. OperatingSupport 10,000Worcester Anti-Foreclosure TeamOperating Support 7,500Worcester Art Museum OperatingSupport 10,000Worcester Center for Crafts OperatingSupport 15,000Worcester Common Ground, Inc.Operating Support 25,000Worcester Community HousingResources Operating Support 20,000WorcesterCountyMechanicsAssociation Operating Support 15,000Worcester County Poetry AssociationOperating Support 10,000WorcesterCulturalCoalitionOperating Support/Advocacy 15,000Worcester Education CollaborativeOperating Support/Advocacy 15,000WorcesterHistoricalMuseumOperating Support 12,500Worcester Interfaith OperatingSupport 35,000Worcester Regional Research Bureau,Inc. Operating Support/Advocacy 10,000Worcester Youth Center OperatingSupport 20,000WorcesterYouthOrchestrasOperating Support 10,000YWCA of Central Mass. OperatingSupport 40,000Those organizations receivingAngels Net Foundation Inc funds forprojects this year are:Programs for Immigrant/RefugeeChildren and Families 15,000AppalachianMountainClubWorcester Educators Outdoors 5,000Ascentria Community Services, Inc.Immigration Legal Assistance Program 15,000Boys & Girls Club of WorcesterLearning Loss Recovery After COVID 20,000Central Massachusetts Agency onAging Equitable Dental Care for Seniors 12,500Children’s Friend The GenderWellness Initiative 15,000Clark University Photography as Toolfor Social Justice 5,000Coalition for a Healthy GreaterWorcester Trauma, Resiliency & RacialEquity Training Institute 10,000Community Legal Aid, Inc. ImmigrantLegal Advocacy Project 15,000Community Servings Nutrition forThose Affected by Critical/ChronicBAYPATHwhat he did for the carpentry group.”“What happened was so kind andsurprising carpentry is very grateful.Thank you, STP!” added student EmmaBransky.‘Proud to be able to do what he did forthe school,’ Chisholm mentioned that heand his wife are hoping to expand theiroutreach and support to other schools,states, and vocational programs.continued from pageA1dents.Student Shaun McLaughlin statedthat “the generous gift to the Bay PathCarpentry program was a highlight inthis trying year. It highlights the goodand generosity of the Christmas spirit.Going back to hisroots and givingback to the program that moldedand shaped hisfuture was a selfless act that won’tServing Worcester County for Shrewsbury’s Own be forgotten.”almost 60 years!Luke Wonderlie,another carpentrystudent, echoedthis sentiment bywww.alsoil.comsaying “It was verycool that a formerstudent wanted toWe acceptgive back to hismost majorroots. I like whatcredit cardshe did becausethat is somethingI want to do someday. I was really24-HOUR EXPERT BURNER SERVICE 508-753-7221appreciativeofLOWEST PRICES FULL SERVICETHE AUBURN NEWS 3ACCURACY WATCHIllnesses 10,000Cultural Exchange Through SoccerYouth Leadership Through Soccer 20,000Dignity Matters, Inc. Distribution ofFree Menstrual Products 5,000Edward M. Kennedy CommunityHealth Center Preventative Dental Careat North High 10,000Edward Street Child Services MasterTeacher Consultation Program 25,000Family Health Center of Worcester,Inc. Perinatal Group Programs 15,000Friendly House, Inc. Frances PerkinsTransitional Housing 25,000Friends of St Luke’s, Inc St. Luke’sGuesthouse 10,000Hope Coalition Worcester AddressesChildhood Trauma 12,500Ivy Child International Youth Yoga/Mindfulness Teacher Training 10,000Literacy Volunteers of South CentralMassachusetts ESOL and Basic LiteracyTutoring Program 10,000Lovin’ Spoonfuls Inc. Food Rescue inWorcester County 10,000Massachusetts Adoption ResourceExchange, Inc. Breaking Down Barriersto Adoption from Foster Care 5,000MA Education & Career OpportunitiesOn Our Way 10,000Montachusett Opportunity Council,Inc. Youth Innovation Center AfterSchool Programs 10,000New Hope, Inc. Supervised Visitation& RESPECT 10,000Notre Dame Health Care ESOL/ABEat Educational Bridge Center 5,000Open Door Arts, Inc. Connecting/Creating Through the Arts 5,000Open Sky Community Services SafeHomes and Safe Homes North 15,000Open Sky Community Services SouthCounty Homeless Services 15,000Our Father’s House, Inc. Health &Wellness in Homeless Children 10,000OurStory Edutainment KwanzaaAcademy 15,000Quinsigamond Community CollegeFoundation Student Emergency Aid 10,000Reach Out and Read GreaterWorcester Rx for Success 5,000Refugee and Immigrant AssistanceCenterComprehensiveCaseManagement 15,000Rock of Salvation La Cocina de ROCA 15,000SEIU Education & Support Fund MAChild Care Training Fund 7,500Spanish American Center, Inc. NosAyudando Mutuamente 10,000Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice,Inc. Expanding Access to ImmigrantJustice 5,000The Community Builders, Inc. FamilySelf Sufficiency at Plumley Village 10,000The Village Afrocentric SaturdaySchool 10,000United Way of Central MassachusettsYouthConnect 12,500United Way of Tri-County WHEATCommunity Connections Meal Delivery 7,500Wayside Youth & Family SupportNetwork PrideSide Charlton 7,500Worcester Caribbean AmericanCarnivalAssociationCarnivalOutreach & Promotion 7,500Worcester Center for Performing Arts(Hanover Theatre) WYSH (WorcesterYouth Speak Honestly) Project 10,000Worcester Chamber Music SocietyNeighborhood Strings 10,000Worcester Earn a Bike Inc.Transportation Equity & Alternativesfor All 5,000Worcester Education CollaborativeWoo-Labs: Reimagining/AmplifyingLearning 12,500Worcester Youth Center CreativeLeadership Institute (CLI) 10,000Y M C AofCentralMassachusettsM i n o r i t yA c h i e v e r sProgram 10,000The Auburn News is committed to accuracyin all its news reports. Although numeroussafeguards are in place to ensure accuratereporting, mistakes can occur.Confirmed fact errors will be corrected atthe top right hand corner of page 3 in a timelymanner.If you find a mistake, call (508) 909-4106or email news@stonebridgepress.news duringnormal business hours. During non-businesshours, leave a message in the editor’s voicemailbox. The editor will return your phonecall.BAKERcontinued from pageA1personnel can serve in support of hospital operations for up to 90 days,” readthe statement issued by Baker’s office.These roles include non-emergencytransport between facilities; patientobservation; security support; in-hospital patient transport services; and foodservice support.Guard personnel were deployed to thefield on Dec. 27.State officials also released updatedguidance to hospitals concerning nonessential elective procedures. EffectiveDec. 27, all hospitals statewide aredirected to postpone or cancel all nonessential elective procedures that arelikely to result in inpatient admission.The goal of this order is to maintainand increase inpatient capacity, officialssaid.“Patients are reminded to still seeknecessary care at their hospital or fromtheir healthcare provider,” read theGovernor’s statement.Residents are reminded that peopleages five to 17 can get the Pfizer vaccine.People over 18 can get any vaccine.To learn more about the latest stateCOVID-19 guidance and data, visit www.mass.gov.www.StonebridgePress.comA Step AheadFamily Child“A progressive approachto family child care” Care CenterYour child deserves quality child careA Step Ahead is a licensed family child carefacility in Auburn using classroom technology toenhance the hands-on curriculum with experiencedInfant * Toddler * Pre-School teachersto help your child learn & growLarge outdoor play area Safe family neighborhood* Meals Provided *Call today for more information!Auburn, MA (508) 767-1214201 South StreetSouthbridge, MA 01550508-765-9155 1-800-784-0445FAX il.comSpiro ThomoBrokerLicensed 35 years508.765.0465774.200.8043
4 THE AUBURN NEWS Friday, January 7, 2022Bay Path nursing students help plant tulipsCHARLTON — And25 bulbs were planted atthe Bay Path PracticalNursing Academy! Inearly November, BayPath Practical NursingAcademy was one of the100 Organizations chosen to receive a bag of25 premium tulip bulbs.The same bulbs soldonline and planted onthe Wicked Tulips farm(Johnston, R.I.).According to Jeroenof Wicked Tulips Farm,“the fall is always a busytime.” Jeroen and histeam planted one million tulips and installedthousands of yards ofdeer fencing to protectthe fields. Further, tulipplanting is both an art anda science, and somethingJeroen learned by working on his family’s farmin th
CHARLTON — Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School recently received a generous dona-tion of 5,000 from local business owners Seth and Mary Chisholm. The Chisholms own and operate Skilled Trades Partners, or STP, based in Fiskdale. Seth Chisholm, who considers himself a proud graduate of Bay Path's carpentry class of 1993, visit-
