Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.
Wrentham school committee appointed former Norton interim superintendent Christopher Martes on Monday.
Norton interim superintendent Dr. Christopher Martes is continuing his work in Wrentham, moving from Norton after assisting the district in selecting Joseph Baeta as permanent superintendent. “You folks need to see if I’m a good fit,” he said. “I like interim work, I bring a set of skills and I’ve that I do like doing this work.” Martes, who served in Norton for the 2012-13 school year, said he’s looking forward to coming to a new town and a new situation. “I can take my skills and experience and come in and see things others may not see,” he said. “Wrentham is an interesting place. I started in elementary education, and that is intriguing to me to come back to it. This would be interesting and challenging for me to go back to my roots.” …
Ralph Roberge, 95, formerly of South Attleboro and Mansfield, passed away May 9, 2013.
Obituary from Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home. Ralph F. Roberge, 95, of Sandwich, formerly of South Attleboro and Mansfield, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was the husband of the late Lina J. (Bouchard) Roberge, to whom he was wed for over 65 years at the time of her death Oct. 1, 2011. Born in Mansfield Feb. 4, 1918, he was son of the late Isaac J. and Alice E. (Nolette) Roberge. He grew up and was educated in Mansfield. Ralph served his country as a member of the United States Navy during both WWII and the Korean Conflict, and was a former member of the 25th Infantry of the Massachusetts State Guard. He was honorably discharged from duty with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His veterans …
Your Patch Facts for the day.
Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section. 1. River Restoration: Reclaiming Heritage and Habitat The Land Preservation Society (LPS) of Norton and the Norton Historical Society are holding their combined annual meeting at the Old Schoolhouse starting 6 p.m. It will start off with a cold ham buffet. The cost is $3 per person and all are welcome. After the buffet, brief meetings of both societies will be held. The speaker this year is William (Bill) Napolitano, the Environmental Program Director of SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District…
Norton High School graduate Gertrude (Smith) Bliss, 98, died May 14, 2013.
Obituary from Hathaway Funeral Home. Gertrude E. (Smith) Bliss, 98, died in the Dighton Nursing Center Tuesday, May 14, 2013. She was born in Pawtucket, R.I., daughter of the late Edward and Florence (Lavender) Smith. She was a graduate of Norton High School. Gertrude was employed as an LPN at the former Paul A. Dever State School for over 27 years. She was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Taunton. She enjoyed spending time travelling throughout the New England States. Gertrude leaves her children Elizabeth Bailey and her husband David of Raynham and Thomas Bliss of Washington; her grandchildren Kelsey Arruda, Ryan Arruda and Laura Bailey; and her great-grandchild Alivia Chaney. She is also the aunt of several. She was preceded …
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The following is from the Norton Police Department. Where arrests are mentioned, they do not indicate convictions.
Monday, May 13 1:32 a.m. A burglar alarm alerted police to a break in on East Main Street. 1:08 p.m. Caller reported someone broke into her car and took gift cards, worth a total of $120. Thursday, May 16 4:12 a.m. Robert Fox, 21, of 311 West 83rd St. in New York, New York, was arrested for unlawful possession of fireworks and possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute. Friday, May 17 5:25 p.m. Caller reported his vehicle was broken into on East Main Street. 5:48 p.m. Caller reported her vehicle was broken into on North Washington St. A purse was reported missing. 7:38 p.m. Caller reported a motor vehicle collision on West Main Street. No injuries were reported.
Nancy Gertner was the guest speaker at the Wheaton College 2013 graduation.
Former federal judge and attorney Nancy Gertner told the Wheaton College 2013 graduates to "take responsibiiity-do something rather than nothing-create your own patch" ssuday in 178th Commencement ceremony "Every generation seems to have had a defining moment. My parents' generation was shaped by World War II and the Great Depression. Our generation was clearly shaped by the Vietnam War and all the protest movements of the day. Sadly, this generation seems to be shaped, at least in part, by 9/11, and now the abomination that was the bombing of the Boston Marathon," said Gertner. "At a time of Internet disconnectedness, that bombing was a shared and horrifying moment. One reaction, perhaps the most understandable, is fear; how to create a…
Wheaton College will be present a lecture of "One Woman's War in China."
A presentation of "One Woman's War in China" will be giving Wednesday at 1 p.m., sponsored by Norton Institute for Continuing Education at the Wheaton College Science Center's Hindle Auditorium. It will look at the challenges and opportunities encountered by an American Red Cross Director during World War II. For information, go to the insitute's web site.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Former high school teacher Pat Conaway sees real hope in the young people who help him clean the area's trails, waterways and roadways.
Pat Conaway admits he is "kind of a nut" about the environment, so when he retired from teaching in 2008, it didn't take long for him to find a number of productive ways to spend his time. "I wanted to get people fired up about the environment, to try to encourage citizens to get involved locally," said Conaway, founder of Big Hearts, Little Feet. A nearly constant presence on area roadways, trails and waterways, Conaway can be found leading groups of volunteers, including many students, to pick up trash, improve trails and remove invasive species. From beer cans to soda and coffee cups, trash tossed by the roadside washes into local rivers and, if left alone, eventually finds its way to the ocean, where scientists have found plastic …
