Cathy Luke, the new principal at  L.G. Nourse Elementary, has come full circle. Luke grew up in Norton and worked for 23 years in the Berkeley school system before coming back to Norton. She primarily taught third grade in Berkeley and was an assistant principal as well.  “I always wanted to be a teacher from the time I was a kid,” Luke said. “It was a dream of mine.”  Luke did her undergraduate work at Framingham State University, now Framingham State College, in elementary education and got her master’s degree in school administration from Endicott College.  Luke replaces Danielle Klingaman…

Fox 25 news reporter Adam Pellerin is a familiar face, not just to Norton locals, but to a broad television audience. Pellerin, who grew up in Norton, joined Fox 25 News in September 2007. Prior to coming to Fox25, Pellerin worked for the CBS affiliate in Portland, ME. He was a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor. He went on to cover news in Portland and wrote and produced several feature stories.  Pellerin played football, basketball and baseball at Norton High School. He majored in communications at Suffolk University and played baseball in college as a catcher for a team that was …

“I was brought up that I’m my brother’s keeper.”  So says Albert Watson, Norton’s veterans grave officer. Watson, 84, is following in the footsteps of his father, James Watson, who held the same position years ago. Watson has now been the grave officer for over 50 years.   Watson puts American flags on the veteran’s graves prior to Memorial Day and takes them out after July 4th. He repeats the process prior to Veteran’s Day and removes them after Pearl Harbor Day.  Watson has lived in Norton his entire life. He served in the Navy and William, one of his six children, works with the town’s …

Cindi Bliss has a tremendous love of cats; enough to volunteer for the past seven years as a vet tech at the Nine Lives Cat Shelter in Norton. Her experience with felines traces its roots back to her grandfather.  “My grandfather was a wild animal rescuer,” said Bliss. “He would pick up baby animals and bring them home and incorporate me with their care. All my life I’ve taken care of special needs animals.”  Bliss does not have formal training, but learned hands on how to care for cats. She said that the Norton Animal Hospital has been terrific for the shelter, instructing volunteers on how …

It’s quickly evident when talking to L.G. Nourse Principal Danielle Klingaman how passionate she is about education. She says it will be “heartbreaking” to leave the school to become principal at a school in North Attleboro in July.  “It’s extremely difficult to leave,” Klingaman said. “I’ve grown to love the kids and their families. There’s a great sense of pride and community here.”  Klingaman has been the principal at the Nourse school for four years and worked as an assistant principal in East Bridgewater prior to coming to Norton. Klingaman lives in Attleboro and grew up in Blackstone …

Mary Fontes has lived in Norton for 30 years and is a volunteer at the Nine Lives cat shelter. She is described by shelter director Jean Harnden as, “my right hand and left hand person.” Harnden went on to say that Fontes is, “always here whenever we need here.” Fontes has been a volunteer at the shelter for six years. She grew up in Connecticut and moved to Massachusetts 40 years ago. She has two children and two grandchildren and three cats. Fontes has worked in the insurance industry for 60 years. Upon speaking with her, Fontes comes across as being very humble.  “She sews for the craft …

The same year Norton Public Library celebrated its 125th birthday, head librarian Elaine Jackson will be retiring this month after more than 20 years of service.  Jackson has her masters in library science. While she was going to school, she saw an ad for a head librarian at the Berklee Public Library. Though she wanted to be a school librarian, she took the job at Berklee and stayed there for two years.  “We had a great time. We still get together for dinner,” Jackson remembered fondly.  Prior to arriving in Norton, Jackson also worked at the Raynham Public Library for 22 years.  But of …

By Jeffrey Rothman Ruth Goold of Norton epitomizes the word devotion. She has been a member of the Historical Society for 40 years and is currently the president of the organization. A lifelong resident of Norton, she also is the treasurer of the Garden Club and is on the board of trustees for the Unitarian Church. Also to her credit, she is on the board of directors of the Nine Lives Cat Shelter and is the director of the Land Preservation Society. Goold has seen a lot of changes in the time she has lived in town. “When I grew up, there were only about 5,000 people in town. You pretty much …

By Jeff Rothman George Yelle of Norton couldn’t imagine living anywhere but the town he has lived in for all of his 73 years. Yelle, who is a member of the Norton Historical Society, has been with the Society for over 40 years and was president of the organization for 16 years. He is a direct descendant of the first settlers of Norton.  “I love local history,” Yelle said. “I definitely like the small town feeling here. We have a good group of people interested in the town’s history.”  When Route 495 was being constructed, Yelle had his house moved a mile down the road from its original …

Michael Yunits, Norton’s new Town Manager, always envisioned being in town government. After serving as Town Administrator in Holbrook for the past five years, Yunitz has brought his talents to Norton.  “My father ingrained in us at an early age to be active in the community,” said Yunits, whose brother Jack was the mayor of Brockton for 10 years.   Yunits, who began his position in Norton a week ago, has been meeting with the various department heads to become familiar with the town.  “It’s been great meeting people here,” he said. “Everyone’s been helpful. I think it’s going to be a great …

To the hundreds of cats in Norton who have found their way to adoptive homes, Jean Harnden has been there from the start. Harnden, who is one of the directors of the Nine Lives of Norton Feline Rescue Shelter, has welcomed in her furry friends for 14 years at the shelter. Harnden, who is originally from Norton and now lives in South Attleboro, has always had a love for cats. Growing up, her family took in cats that found their way to their doorstep.  “My dad was a farmer,” Harnden said. “We had cats that stayed outside. We took in whatever cats came by and fed them.” Years later, when her …

Beth McManus has devoted much of her 18 years living in Norton to making the town a better place to live. McManus is in her second term on the School Committee and also worked on the town manager search committee to find a replacement for Jim Purcell, who is retiring. She also is an integral part of the Norton Tricentennial Committee. McManus said that the greatest challenge the School Committee is facing is the planned renovation of the high school. The project will be brought before voters at the spring Town Meeting, which would require a debt exclusion override, something the town has …

Danielle Sicard, Norton’s Town Clerk, is not just this week’s VIP. She is also the 2008 Unsung Heroine for Norton, a prestigious award, for her contributions to recreational services in town. In her previous position as associate executive director for the YMCA in Attleboro, Sicard educated the community about the YMCA’s mission and expanded their presence in Norton. She held the role as chairperson for the Parks and Recreation department in Norton before running for Town Clerk. She used her experience working with town leaders to benefit the community before arriving at Town Hall. Sicard won…

How often do people know what their life's calling is at age 7? For Patricia Ansay, there was never any doubt she'd end up in a career in education. Now, more than 50 years later, she's still doing what she loves, with a few extra responsibilities mixed in. Ansay, 58, is in her sixth year as Norton's superintendent of schools, and while the job sometimes brings with it long hours, she remains as committed as ever to doing the job well. That means a heavy dose of leadership and management with a dash of human resources and a sprinkle of public relations—and sometimes that's all before 9 a.m. "…