The Wrentham Times

Thanksgiving Tales of Old

It's Thanksgiving so it's time for a little nostalgia. Here are a few Wrentham related Thanksgiving tales.

Eagles for Thanksgiving

Football and Thanksgiving certainly go well together and that was the case back in 1926 when Boston College's football team set up camp in Wrentham in preparation for a showdown with its rival, Holy Cross. The team was holding practices in Franklin at Dean Academy, known today as Dean College, and staying "safely and quietly quartered 'somewhere in Wrentham,'" according to the Boston Globe.

After a Thanksgiving Day workout, the football players returned to Wrentham for a turkey dinner and party. According to the news report, "The Boston College men are enjoying themselves at Wrentham for they are away from all bother. The squad will make the trip from Wrentham to Boston Saturday morning in limousines, with speeding tabooed."

It seems the stay in Wrentham didn't help the BC Eagles offense. The game was played at Braves Field in Boston and ended in a 0-0 tie.

Huskies for the Holidays

Last year we remembered Edmund Nolan and his trained lions which made a fuss out in Brighton back in 1962. Well, he wasn't the first person to have a trained animal act from Wrentham. Back in the 1930s, Dr. Bill Bloomberg reportedly had a Dog Academy in town where he trained huskies. And on Thanksgiving night in 1935, his dogs were part of an unusual carnival at the old Boston Garden.

The exhibit combined a wrestling bout with an exhibition by trained dogs. In addition to showing the huskies' ability to haul a large load, Bloomberg's dogs would perform acrobatic tricks. Totem, a 91 pound black and white husky, could do somersaults reports said. Another Bloomberg dog reportedly could do a side twist and turn. Other dogs in his act would swing on ropes.

Traveling on a Budget

And while it's not specifically a Thanksgiving story, it is a November travel story from way back. But in 1826 if you needed to travel from Providence to Boston, you could take an accommodation stagecoach which would stop in Wrentham and Walpole. The fare for the trip was $1.50. The stage ran every day except Sundays.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Norfolk DA Morrissey Working with KPHS and Wrentham Police to Keep Students Safe

Preventing targeted violence, responding to dangerous behaviors, safely re-integrating students following mental or behavioral health treatment, visitor threat assessment and securing large spaces during crisis were all explored by local and national experts at Norfolk DA Michael W. Morrissey’s “Assessing and Responding to School Threats” training conference last week.

More than 200 teachers, administrators, school nurses and police officers from across the county attended the all-day seminar held in the auditorium at the Bank of Canton’s headquarters on Nov. 20th. Wrentham Police Chief James Anderson attended with Lt. William McGrath, Lt. George Labonte, and School Resource Officer Stephen Hearon; staff from King Philip included assistant principals Bill Chaplin and Nancy Fischer and school psychologists Allyson Esposito and Angela Sheble.

“There is significant research and work being done on the best ways to keep schools safe, both here and across the county,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “We are fortunate to have been able to bring some impressive experts to Norfolk County to share that information with nurses, teachers and superintendents, patrol officers and police chiefs. There was something here for every level of these organizations.”

Three members of the Secret Service addressed research-based strategies for preventing targeted violence in grades Kindergarten through 12: Boston Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Stephen Marks, the National Threat Assessment Center Chief, Dr. Michelle Keeney and NTAC Research Psychologist Lina Alathari. United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz joined DA Morrissey and ASAC Marks opening the program.

Director of School Health Services for the state Dept. of Public Health Mary Ann Gapinski presented for an hour on the growing phenomenon of needing to craft safe and successful school re-integrations for students who have been removed for their behavior, undergone treatment or been absented for other cause.

State Police Sgt. John Suyemoto, from the MSP Special Tactical Operations (STOP) team talked about both visitor threat assessment and techniques for securing large spaces in the event of a disturbance. Attorney Matthew W. MacAvoy from the firm of Nuttall & MacAvoy, P.C., addressed responding to student threats and dangerous behaviors within the state laws and regulations.

DA Morrissey partnered with the Mass Teachers Association to provide continuing education credits to teachers.

“When there is a traumatic event at a school anywhere, the media is saturated with the details and the story,” DA Morrissey said. “But every day, there is thoughtful work done in school houses and police stations to prevent major events, but also to stop more modest problems before they grow. I commend King Philip High School and Wrentham Police Department’s demonstrated dedication to this work.”

Thanksgiving Day Game Moved

Due to field conditions at King Philip Regional HighSchool the Thanksgiving Football game has been moved. The game will be played at Franklin High School at 10:00am.

Scouts Hold Rocket Day

Cub Scout Pack 131 held its annual "Rocket Day" on Saturday, November 22, at the Wrentham Developmental Center.  Led by this year's Rocket Commander, Alan Starvis, 68 Cub Scouts (and 30 scout siblings) launched three different types of rockets carefully built from kits.

 

First year scouts (Tiger Cubs) watched their "Aerospace" rockets shoot to the sky.  Wolf and Bear Cubs followed with mid-sized "Alpha" rockets.  Finally, parents and scouts watched Webelos launch large double stage "Load Star" rockets.  All of the scouts learned science and engineering concepts - and had a BLAST!

 

Rocket Day is just one of many fun activities Pack 131 Cub Scouts and their families participate in.  Membership in Cub Scouts is open to boys from 1st thru 5th grade.  If you are interested in learning more about Cub Scouts and Pack 131, contact Ed Crisci, the Pack’s Cubmaster: ejcrisci@comcast.net.

 

To see more pictures visit the Rocket Day Photo Album. 

Wrentham Youths Earn Boston College High School Honors

Brendan M. Lilley, class of 2015, of Wrentham achieved High Honors for the First Quarter at Boston College High School. For High Honors an upperclassman must have at least a 3.8 quality point average and all grades C+ or higher.

Brendan Pyne, class of 2016, achieved Honors, maintaining at least a 3.2 QPA and all grades C- or higher.

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863. The school enrolls approximately 1600 students from more than 100 communities in eastern Massachusetts.

Ornaments and Afghans on Sale

The Holly Club of Wrentham will sell afghans and Christmas ornaments at the Fiske Public Library, 110 Randall Rd., beginning Nov. 29. The group plans to enjoy its annual Christmas party in the beautifully-decorated Proctor Mansion Inn on Tuesday, Dec. 2. A delicious menu is being planned and catered by Café Assisi. Members are reminded to bring unwrapped children’s pajamas as well as hats, gloves and mittens for the elementary school.

Holly Club Seeks Residents Serving in the Military

The Holly Club is seeking the names of residents who are active members of the military and are currently serving overseas in hardship areas. To recognize and support the military men and women from the community, the club plans to send care packages to as many service members from Wrentham as possible. They ask families of Wrentham service members to reach out to Chairperson Shila Duffy at 508-384-5826 or email thehollyclub@gmail.com.

The Holly Club of Wrentham was organized in 1898 and is open to all women regardless of race, color or creed. It is committed to social services, civic activities and a fellowship among women. To learn more, visit wrentham.ma.us/wrentham-ma-holly-club-gfwc, or follow club activities on facebook at www.facebook.com/wrenthamhollyclub.

Wrentham Police Announce Holiday Crackdown

A message from Wrentham Police Department:

As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, be reminded that Wrentham Police will be out in force from December 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015 to protect the Commonwealth's citizens by arresting anyone caught behind the wheel operating under the influence. The Wrentham Police will join other local law enforcement agencies and the MA State Police to run extra patrols through the New Year as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office ofPublic Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD).

"You'll see us making lots of stops during this highly visible enforcement period and ifwe suspect anyone is driving while intoxicated, officers will show zero tolerance for impaired driving," said Lt. George Labonte

"The message is simple: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. If you plan to consume alcohol, you should also plan not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle," said Labonte

Unfortunately, the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season can lead to terrible decisions, and serious legal consequences. Data shows that the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of impaired drivers on the roads. In 2011 in Massachusetts, 114 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher.

"This holiday, we will show zero tolerance for those driving under the influence on the road. If you choose to drive drunk, we will see you, we will stop you, and you will be arrested," said Labonte

EOPSS-HSD recommends these tips for a safe holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don't hesitate to
• contact law enforcement;
• And remember, Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get home safely.

Proctor Mansion Announces Holiday Events for December

The Proctor Mansion Inn will hold its annual Holiday Victorian Tea on Saturday December 6th, 1 to 3 p.m. The tea is open to the public and is $38.50 per guest, plus tax & gratuity. Reservations and payment in advance is required.Live Entertainment featuring the Victorian Christmas Carolers, as well as a tour of the historic Proctor Mansion included. Seating is limited.

Also on tap at the Proctor is a performance by "Dear Prudence" on Friday December 12th, 8 p.m. The local trio returns to the Proctor Mansion for a night of holiday music. Tickets purchased in advance are $18; at the door $22. Lite desserts & complimentary coffee to be served. Cash bar available throughout the evening.

Built in 1861, The Proctor Mansion Inn is an example of Second Empire French Victorian architecture. It provides a glimpse of grandeur from days gone by.

For additional information on either even, call reservations at 877-384-1861 or visit the Proctor Mansion Inn website at www.proctormansioninn.com.