The Wrentham Times

Prayers Fill Common for Marathon Victims

Over 50 people gathered on Wrentham Town Common to support the victims and families of the horrific Boston Marathon bombing that took three lives and injured over a 100 on Monday, April 15. The prayer service was held at 7 p.m. and was put together by Joseph Botaish, Gail Pratt and the local spiritual leadership from Wrentham's churches. "The events that happened at today's marathon affect us all in many ways," Botaish said. "I find the best thing to do at a time like this is to get together and pray."

The service opened with the words of St. Mary Parish priest Bill Lohan who noted that we gather on Patriots' Day, a day where we remember the bravery of the men and women who fought so long ago for freedom. Lohan prayed for both those injured and the first responders. "We commend those who died today and those who have been injured to your love and your care," Lohan said in his pray. "We thank you for the bravery and love that was shown by all those who responded today in Boston to this tragedy. We ask you to be with them as they process what they've been through and to help them heal."

Senior Pastor Kenneth Landin, Original Congregational Church spoke of the need for all of us "to be in community" as the a result of the events in Boston. "Our response is to be both shocked and saddened by the attack at such an iconic event as the Boston Marathon," Landin said. "We come to offer prayers for the victims to offer thanksgiving to emergency responders and health care works and for peace and security to return to our Commonwealth."

Landin continued by saying, "We remember that the gifts of freedom and liberty come at the cost of being open and vulnerable and to be exposed to those who will take it away with violence and threats of harm. It is at these times that our souls are tested and identity is challenged."

Landin also discussed how at moments of tragedy people can help by giving of themselves. "One of the greatest gifts that God has given us to give to others is ourselves," he said. "We may always offer consolation, comfort and especially in moments of crisis we may remind each other of the promises of faith that may encourage us today, tonight, and in all the work we do in building community in the days to come."

(Click to read the full text of Landin's prayer.)

Pastor Doug Pettit from the Sheldonville Baptist Church also spoke of prayers for those who died tragically and the first responders that comforted the victims. "We gather this evening to weep with those whose lives have been shattered by tragedy," he said. "We gather to pray for those affected and for those who are giving of themselves even now to lend aid."

St. Mary Parish Pastor Bill Schmidt told those gathered how he and his family waited for word on his nephew Eric, a Boston Police officer stationed at the Marathon's finish line, the site of the bombing. His nephew is scheduled to be married on Saturday and his finance is a nurse who was working the medical tents at the race. The hours since the explosions were a time of waiting. "For my family it is a time of unknowing and dread," he said. "So many families are feeling that this evening."

State Representative Dan Winslow (pictured) also attended. He held a lit candle throughout the ceremony. "I wanted to come here and join you all in thought and prayer," he said. "Today is a day of prayer and reflection to connect with the people who need us most and tomorrow is a day for resolve."

Members of Wrentham Fire Department were on hand and were recognized by Botaish. The crowd gave them a round of applause.

In attendance was Wrentham resident Jan Battikha who was struck at the disconnect between seeing the joy and exuberance of the runners crossing the finish line with the horrors of the bombing. Battikha said it was disgusting evil that took place.

The ceremony ended at 7:20 and the bells in the Original Congregational Church rang out as the crowd slowly dispersed.

Gregorian Chant CD Being Released by Nuns of Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey

The Nuns of Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey are set to release To Pray In Beauty: Gregorian Chant, Ever Ancient, Ever New, the second album by the Nuns of Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey. It follows the release of Christmas in the Cloister. This new album comes with a 20-page booklet, including liner notes about the history of Cistercian chant. Also included are the English translations of the pieces sung in Latin. 

Reportedly, the Cistercian version of the chants presented in this recording have always played an important role in the lives of the Cistercian nuns of Wrentham since the time of its foundation in 1949. In the early years of its history, chant alone was used to provide the musical setting for the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. Since English was introduced into the liturgy after Vatican II, the nuns gradually built up a rich repertory of chants in the vernacular, but twice a week they continue to use Gregorian Chant in the celebration of the Eucharist as well as at Vespers on Solemnities. 

To Pray in Beauty is being released through Jade Music and will be available March 26th in stores and for download.

Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey, located in Wrentham, is home to forty-five Cistercian nuns, also known as Trappistines. It is the first monastery of Cistercian Nuns in the United States. This group of religious women have dedicated their lives to prayer and contemplation and live by work of their hands making Trappistine Quality Candy known around the world. 

Brown Joins Nixon Peabody

Scott Brown with Nixon Peabody CEO and managing partner Andrew Glincher. Photo from Brown's Facebook page.

Former U.S. Senator Scott Brown has joined international law firm Nixon Peabody LLP as counsel in the firm’s Boston office. Brown will focus his practice on business and governmental affairs as they relate to the financial services industry as well as on commercial real estate matters. “Nixon Peabody has a national presence and a strong reputation.  The culture is one of collaboration among its lawyers and with clients,” said Brown in a prepared statement. “During my time in politics, I never hesitated to reach across the aisle to work with members of any political party to secure a preferable outcome. My approach is consistent with the way Nixon Peabody does business and I believe we can be successful together.”

Brown joins a number of political and government officials at Nixon Peabody including: Tom Reynolds, a five-term U.S. Congressman who leads the firm’s Government Relations practice; Jim Vallee, former Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; and Navjeet Bal, the former Massachusetts Commissioner of Revenue.

Sheldonville Post Office Reduces Hours

Sheldonville Post Office has new hours. The window is now only open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The change has been in place since January. 

Neubecker Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Neubecker stands with his parents while Troop 131 Scoutmaster Alan Plantamura speaks. Photo courtesy of Chris Roman.

Plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. That's one of the many requirements a Boy Scout must complete to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, and that's exactly what Troy Neubecker did when he decided to raise the funds and oversee the creation of a 9/11 Memorial for the Town. He accomplished that goal with the dedication of the memorial this past September and now a granite reminder of the 9/11 tragedy stands in front of Wrentham Town Hall. Thanks to his efforts and fulfilling all the other requirements necessary to receive the rank, Neubecker is now an Eagle Scout. Sunday, Neubecker along with his family, friends and members of Wrentham Troop 131, celebrated his accomplishment at a special Court of Honor. 

To learn about the dedication of the memorial, read Hundreds Remember 9/11 as New Memorial is Unveiled.

National Grid Warns Customers of Payment Scam

National Grid is warning its customers of a new, nationwide utility bill scam. In the past several days National Grid electric customers have received telephone calls from individuals claiming to work for National Grid.  These scammers demand payment, through a pre-paid card, on past due balances for electric accounts and threaten customers that their service will immediately be shut-off for non-payment.  In some cases the caller also tells the customer that they may have a faulty meter that is dangerous and in need of replacing for a substantial fee.  The electric meter is the property of National Grid. Customers are not responsible for meter replacement costs. Callers are then directed to purchase a pre-paid card to make an immediate payment in order to keep their power on. 

National Grid does contact customers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options, but never demands direct payment over the telephone. If customers wish, they can arrange for a payment by check, credit card or debit card if they speak directly to a customer service representative. Payment can also be made by credit card or debit card without a representative’s assistance. Customers who have received calls demanding immediate payment through a pre-paid card or who have billing questions should call the Customer Contact Center.  Customers in New England can call 1-800-322-3223.  

Powerful Blizzard Hits

Wrentham turns into a winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Jackie Brown Gately.

Winter Storm Nemo arrived as predicted Friday and continues to bring heavy snow and wind to the town. Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency and a ban on motor vehicle travel which started at 4 pm Friday. 

Town plows were actively responding to the snow removal and safety officials were standing by. "No problems thus far," reported Wrentham Police Chief James Anderson. "We brought in additional personnel and we have them strategically positioned throughout the town ready to respond if needed."

Anderson added, "Driving is tough due to white out conditions, however the only ones on the road are the police and snowplows. If everyone observes the no driving ban the Governor issued we should get through the night pretty well."

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Joe Botaish was pleased with how Wrentham's Department of Public Works was responding to the blizzard. "So far so good," he said Friday night. "They appear to have a good plan in place."

As of 9 pm, National Grid reports less than 5 Wrentham customers are without power but many residents reported flickering lights throughout the storm. 

The travel ban is in effect until further notice and doesn't apply to: 

• public safety vehicles and public safety workers, including contract personnel
• public works vehicles and public works workers, including contract personnel; government officials conducting official business
• utility company vehicles and utility workers
• healthcare workers who must travel to and from work in order to provide essential health services
• news media
• travel necessary to maintain and deliver critical private sector services such as energy, fuel supplies and delivery, financial systems and the delivery of critical commodities
• travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations, food stores and hardware stores

Acts of Kindness Hit Wrentham

In the days that followed the Newtown, CT tragedy, NBC's Ann Curry posted on twitter, "Imagine if we all committed to 20 acts of kindness for each child lost in Newtown? I'm in. RT #20Acts if YOU R in. #MTP #Supersoulsunday".

From that simple tweet, 20 acts of kindness turned into 26 and throughout the country people have been doing good with both large and small gestures. 

This past Thursday, hot dog cart owner, Mike Hogan, received one of those acts. His That's My Dog cart is set up across from the Wrentham Premium Outlets. He's  there most days serving what he says are the "biggest and best hot dogs and Italian sausages around."

A complete stranger pulled and gave him a card with a lottery ticket. "She just drove up here at the hot dog stand and handed me the card with a scratch ticket," he explains. "Never saw her before."

The note said, "In honor of the 26 victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School we are doing 26 Acts of Kindness. You're # 8. Remembering Dawn Hochsprung ~ 47 yrs."

Hochsprung was the principal of the school.

"I thought it was a great show of caring," says Hogan. "It was beautiful."

Film Shot in Wrentham Slated for Festival Circuit

Remember back in September 2011 when the Looking Class Cafe was transformed into a movie set? Shot primarily in Millis, the independent film Siren, used the local Wrentham restaurant for a full day of filming. 

Over a year later, Siren is in the final stages of post-production and the producers hope to take it on the festival circuit in early 2013. "So many local residents and businesses helped us with the making of the film, that I'm sure we'll have a screening in Massachusetts," said a spokesperson for the independent movie. 

The film is described as a dark fairy tale and stars Vinessa Shaw as a woman who has the uncanny ability to appear to each man as his heart's desire. Shaw has been seen in other films and TV shows including  3:10 to Yuma, House MD, and the Hills Have Eyes.  The film also stars Robert Kazinsky who has appeared in Law & Order LA and Brothers & Sisters and soon to join the cast of True Blood. Jesse Peyronel directed.

GENEROSITY ABOUNDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Thanks to the generous heart of Wrentham resident Kim Devolve, Pond Home residents and staff are enjoying a Dickens Village winter scene. Kim has collected the Dickens Village pieces for years, but has not displayed them for the last few years at her home. She reached out to Pond Home with an email shortly after Thanksgiving. The email’s subject line was ‘Can I help bring the Christmas Spirit to Pond Home?’

She got an enthusiastic response from Pond Home’s Administrator Becky Annis and Activity Director Barbara Larsen. They agreed the built in benches on the three season porch at Pond Home would be a great location to display the large collection.

Kim and her husband Fred took a day off from work and set the whole thing up one recent afternoon. While the Devolves worked Pond Home residents stepped in and out of the porch
admiring the beauty of the display and all the detail in each piece.

“We have a big beautiful house and we love to decorate for the holidays. This collection adds a scene that is both peaceful and interesting to look at, with something new to see each time you look”, said Activity Director Barbara Larsen, “I’m so glad Kim thought of Pond Home.”

Pond Home offers Residential Care and Supportive Nursing Care in a beautifully maintained colonial home on Route 140 in Wrentham, providing all meals and 24 hour nursing care. It is
managed by Rogerson Communities, a Boston based non-profit recognized as a leader in the management and development of elder housing and services. To learn more about Pond Home contact Becky Annis at 508-384-3531, ext. 225 or visit www.pondhome.org .