VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Cathy Luke

Meet L. G. Nourse's new principal.

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 at L.G. Nourse. Her first week at the school “has been very smooth,”  she said, attributing the smooth transition to the school staff. “We’re all …

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VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Mary Fontes

Nine Lives volunteer with the energy and heart of an army.

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 fair we have every year,” Harnden said of Fontes. “Mary has made a lot of what we sell.”   Fontes made 150 pot holders for the last craft fair. At the …

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VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: George Yelle

Norton resident key member of the Norton Historical Society.

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 location in 1974. Other homes were burned down during the construction to make way for the highway.  “It was very common to move houses years ago,” Yelle …

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PATCH FACTS

5 Things You Need To Know Today: March 19

Your Patch Facts for the day.

Five Things You Should 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.)  Norton Pop Warner registration will take place at Norton High School, 66 W. Main St., 9 a.m. to noon. Additional details including age requirement, registration fees, etc. can be found at www.nortonpopwarner.org. There is also a Facebook page under "Norton Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading.” For more information email melissacota@comcast.net. 2.)  Norton Destination Imagination teams will showcase their chosen challenges at the region 9 tournament at Whitman-Hanson High School 600 Franklin St, Whitman. The tournament…

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VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Jean Harnden

Director of Nine Lives helps cats find 'forever homes.'

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 neighbor Val Peirce opened the shelter, she offered her services to help get the shelter up and running. Harnden has been there ever since. In addition …

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PATCH FACTS

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Feb. 26

Your Patch Facts for the day.

Five Things You Should 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.)  Trybe Gala 2011 will be held in Weber Theatre in the Watson Fine Arts building of Wheaton College, 26 E. Main St., Norton. The student-run dance ensemble Trybe performs an array of dance styles from belly dancing to urban hip-hop drawn from a variety of world cultures. This event, which also runs Feb. 26, 28 and March 7, will begin 7:30 p.m. To reserve tickets, call 508-286-3365. 2.)  Elmo’s birthday party will be held 2 p.m. at Borders Books and Music, 280 School St., Mansfield 3.)  Want an easy recipe for a …

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PATCH FACTS

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Feb. 18

Your Patch Facts for the day.

Five Things You Should 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.) It’s Senior Night at Norton High School, 66 W. Main St., and the Lancers varsity boys basketball team will take on Medfield High School 6:30 p.m. 2.) Play bingo at St. Mary's Church, 1 Power St., 6:45 p.m. every Friday. Parish center doors open at 4:30 p.m. 3.) Mornings with Mother Goose for children ages two and under will be held this morning at Ames Free Library, 53 Main St., Easton, at 10:00 a.m. This event will include rhymes, finger plays, music and other early literacy activities. Sign up required. Contact Cathie …

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VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Beth McManus

Norton resident keeps busy with School Committee, Town Manager search and tricentennial celebration.

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 never supported. She is proud of the fact that Norton students scored in the top 15 percent in the state on the MCAS exams. “The MCAS test is the test …

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Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Bill Lippincott

Business savvy resident uses experience to help others.

Norton resident Bill Lippincott, who is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, knows a lot about businesses and how to work with people. Put those together, and you have a very useful resource. Self described as an ambassador for the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, which services the Norton, Mansfield and Foxboro communities Bill Lippincott, helps promote Chamber membership. “I help with fundraising and developing new business and commerce between the towns,” Lippincott said. “We like to do business with people we know and encourage people to buy locally. Most new jobs are created by local businesses. They’re the first line of defense. Small business employers are the first to rehire in a bad economy. “For people out of work, it’s really …

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VIP OF THE WEEK

Norton Patch VIP of the Week: Danielle Sicard

Learn more about the Norton Town Clerk and Unsung Heroine winner.

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 last year’s election against three other opponents and began her work as Town Clerk in April of 2010. The open seat she filled came after a vote at …

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