ABOUT TOWN: Big Anniversary for Page's

A THESPIAN IN OUR MIDST: Stoughton resident Dale Appel is a working actress and writer.  The former real estate salesperson, is getting more and more into the movie business.  Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb) lists her filmography to include the film "The Rude, the Mad, and the Funny", which is currently in post production (where she plays an audience member); the just-released "Oxy-Morons", where she plays an attorney; and, Appel is listed as a writer and the character "Wendy Wiccan" in the 2009 release, "Cooking in Salem", a short.
 
HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG? at 458 Pearl Street in Stoughton has an anniversary coming up.  Perhaps it's a love affair with the Town.  But, Valentine's Day, February 14, is the 61st anniversary of the store's opening on February 14, 1950. Gerry Goulston and the Goulston family wanted to thank the community for their support for all these years.    

ANOTHER PAWNBROKER COMES TO TOWN: Empire Loans, a growing pawnbroker and second-hand jewelry business, is coming to Stoughton.  They are moving to 684 Washington Street. American General Finance, a mortgage company, was the previous tenant at that address, according to Yellow Pages records.  Known for their ads featuring the jingle of "your one stop money shop,"

Empire Loans began in Boston's South End in 1985.  The chain of five current locations (Boston, Worcester, Providence (2), and New Bedford) is owned by Michael D. Goldstein.  

Michael says on his website that he provides more competitive loans and prices of 50 percent off retail on quality merchandise ranging from fine art, gold and diamond jewelry, flat screen TVs, musical instruments, to Hi-End audio-visual equipment. 

Stoughton has similar businesses in town already, including Gold, Inc. (490 Washington St.), and Goldcraft Exchange (37 Dykeman Way). 

I was worried that these types of businesses could aid those who break into our homes and cars. But, Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany told me that. "All of the pawnbrokers in town are quite cooperative. Frank at Gold's has been a particularly big help in working with our detectives on breaking and entering cases, and recovering stolen jewely." Shastany said that Detective Jim O'Connor is a great resource, and works very close with these types of places to recover stolen items and apprehend the thieves.  

DON'T FORGET ON SUNDAY: ANNIE!!! THE SUN WILL COME OUT TODAY: The Little Theatre of Stoughton celebrates its 54th season with their presentation of  “Annie." The popular play, with music by Charles Strouse, book by Thomas Meehan and lyrics by Martin Charnin, based on “Little Orphan Annie,” will be performed at the , 1322 Central St., Stoughton, Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., the last day of a three day stretch of performances. 

Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For tickets, go to Bob’s Famous Food Mart, Page’s Groceries, or online at www.littletheatreofstoughton.org. (For more information, call 781-834-6209). 

Based on the Little Orphan Annie, a 1920’s-era comic strip, Annie is a feel good story for tough times and as good for us today as it was 90 years ago. An orphan, Annie is placed in the lap of luxury and it turns out to be more than anyone anticipated as she works her way into everyone’s heart.  See and hear an incredible array of talent, with cast members singing such well-known songs  “Tomorrow,” “Maybe,” “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,”  and “New Deal for Christmas.”  This is a one weekend only production, so seating is limited.

The cast of “Annie” includes: Sarah Wall, Shannon Flaherty, Rich Morton, Rosemary Amadeo, Madison DeGrande, Hannah Mae Lambert, Sarah Horner, Kristen Kenwood, Anna Kenwood, Christine Wahl, Courtney LaFrance, Dilce Oliveira, Tracy Davis, Emily Dankese, Lea Campanario, Isabel Johnson, Giuliani Fillion, Tony Rocha, Reagan Lewis, Elke Martin, Nina Hatch, Emily Russell, Katerina Davis, Shauna Millican, Mallory Breen, Sam Bouchaiba, Dave Lambert, Richard Johnson, Kellie McGrath, Linda D’Amore, Audrey DeSzendreffy, Maddie Peck, Alexis Flandys, Megan Heffernan, Theresa Chiasson, Rich Morton, Rachel Peters, Hadley Johnson, Christina Locke, Cora Johnson, Jordan Lyons, Sam Langmead, Abbie Langmead, Dan Goldstone, Skylar Goldstone, Bob DeLuca, Jim Comer, Pam Dykeman, Olivia Hoffman and Tom Karnes.  

TALKING TRASH: On Monday, February 21, there will be in observance of Presidents’ Day.  Trash collection for Presidents’ Day will be scheduled for Tuesday, February 22 in addition to the regular Tuesday collection. For safety reasons, the DPW does not pick up trash after sunset. So, if you don't get picked up on Tuesday, you will be on Wednesday. Call the DPW if you have any questions at 781-344-2112.