A CRAZY WEEKEND IN STOUGHTON:  About Town put a lot of miles on my sneakers this past weekend, running around to cover the plethora of events in town, like the open houses at the Fire Station and YMCA; the magic show at the library; the South School Pumpkin Patch; and the Rummage Sale at Ahavath Torah.  So, check out my quick synopsis and the photos that accompany them!

OPEN HOUSE at FREEMAN FIRE STATION: Residents of Stoughton got to take tours of the (dilapidated) Freeman Street Fire Station in the downtown on Saturday. 

Kids got to hang in a fire truck and also got to enjoy free pizza compliments of Papa Gino's in Stoughton.  All the children got a plastic fire helmet to bring home. 

Firemen (and women) are heroes, and even the children get big-eyed when they see the firefighters and EMT's in uniform. 

Lt. Jim Campbell and Acting Deputy Chief Greg Goldberg handed out the pizza, while Chief Mark Dolloff, his officers, and fire personnel interacted with the crowd, and always wore a smile.

For those who did take the tour of the station, they saw pretty sad living/working conditions.  The public bathroom is falling apart from the ground up, as is the bathroom that the firefighters call their own.  Many of the walls are falling apart, the roof leaks, there's a hole in the ground where fire trucks are kept, and cement pieces are falling off the roof.

Hopefully citizens who attended might become more active in advocating for much-needed repairs, or even more importantly - a new public safety facility!  

***

OLD COLONY Y RIDE & OPEN HOUSE: Wet skies and less than 40 riders dampened the effectiveness of a Y Ride for Charity. But, the accompanying Stoughton YMCA Open House on Saturday was a big success, bringing in many new members, according to Old Colony YMCA Stoughton Branch Associate Director Ellen Greene.

In addition to the 38 people who pedaled for 50 miles for the Y (from the Stoughton branch to the Middleboro branch and back to Stoughton again), the open house featured a number of booths outside offering everything from Tupperware to free soft drinks.

There was even a moose! Willy the Moose accompanied local author Michael MacCurtain, who was selling his Halloween children's book, "There's a Moose On My Broomstick." The autographed tome was only $8. 

The Mix 104.1 crew was there handing out goodies from their radio station.  Susan Hausman was there for Darkness to Light, an organization that hopes to help prevent sexual abuse of children.  Molly Caron, who is the reigning Miss Easton Outstanding Teen for 2012, was there to promote IMPACT, an organization designed to promote awareness of concussions and baseline testing. 

Eagle Scout-to-be John Stewart-Racicot was there to get interest up in his project - an entrance sign and trail clean up at Glen Echo, Stoughton's newest town property. Stewart-Racicot, from Boy Scout Troop 516, is offering 40-character space on a plaque at the property for donations of $20 or more. Make checks out to Boy Scout Troop 516, and include your 40 character (including spaces) message to: 47 Simpson Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 by November 5. 

Garrett Lofstrom was handing out samples of Muscle Milk, a high protein drink.  Maureen Buckley and Andrew Doucette of Whole Foods in Dedham, handed out fresh fruit, and Conor Good and Andrew Sultzer gave out sample bottles of Hint Water.

Also manning booths were Nancy Dayian, Design Consultant for California Closets; Ann Sibson, custom jewelry designer for Bittersweet Jewels in Franklin; Lisa McElman of Pampered Chef; and Judi Eicher and Harvey Smith of Tupperware.  

***

MAGICIAN WORKS HIS MAGIC!  Scott Jameson performed before a nearly full house Saturday in the Wales French at the Stoughton Public Library.

For over a decade,  Jameson has presented his family-friendly, theatrical brand of magic and juggling at public and private events throughout the Northeast. He has performed all over, including Foxwoods Resort & Casino. 

His show utilized scarves, balls, cards, and other props. He involved the audience, and really had the kids paying attention!  Who says you can't have fun without spending a dime? Everyone had a wonderful, entertaining time - and there was NO admission charge. 

***

PUMPKIN PATCH FALL FESTIVAL: The South Elementary School held a Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival on Sunday. There was a great haunted house, and also an assortment of baked goods, burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, cake walk, raffles, silent auctions, kids games and activities, pumpkin decorating, and car seat safety checks.

Many vendors also supported the event, with folks like Corrine Fleury of The Pampered Chef; Ellen Greene of the Old Colony YMCA; Jayna Shapiro selling her homemade jewelry; and Jeff Pickette and Christine Iacobbuci manning a Stoughton Patch Photo Booth.

Costco and Target stores were also booth sponsors.  There was a slew of volunteers doing a LOT of work. Hopefully, the South School PTO did well, despite the damp weather.

Among those volunteer faces at the South School were singer-songwriter Lori McKenna, and former Selectmen Secretary Sheila Whalen.

***

RUMMAGING FOR A BARGAIN! Hundreds of people left Ahavath Torah Congregation with bags of clean clothes, bedding, and books from Sunday's Semi-Annual Indoor Yard and Rummage Sale.

One woman, who wished to have her name withheld, told me that she looks forward to this event to load up on clothes for her three children. "I'm a single mom and have three young children. These types of events are a God send to me and my family." She was clutching three bags of clothing, and two sets of hands. Another set was latched onto her leg.

There seemed to be a steady flow of customers all day. It was a "mitvah", or a gift, for many. And, it was a fundraiser for the Temple, as well. A win-win situation for all!

***

MONDAY HAPPENINGS IN STOUGHTON...

MASTER PLANNING:  The Master Plan Committee invites the community to contribute to the future of our Town! They will be holding a Public Forum Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the Stoughton Senior Center at 110 Rockland Street.

A light dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and a review of the "Community Snapshot"(compiled by the Town's consultants, Brown Walker Planners), and announcement of the logo contest winners will be announced.  At 6:30 p.m., the Master Plan presentation will be made, and 45 minutes later, the crowd will be divided into small groups for discussion. At 8:30 p.m, the small groups will report back to the audience.

The Master Plan Committee is Chaired by Joe Scardino of the Planning Board. Vice Chair is Dan Kelly of the Conservation Commission. Other members of the Committee include Selectman Chairman John Stagnone, Forrest Lindwall and Lou Gitto of the Redevelopment Authority, Chris Petrie of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, and Billy Angelos of the Planning Board. 

The Master Plan Committee is being advised by Town Planner Noreen O'Toole, and assisted by the professional planning consulting team, led by Sue Brown and Juliet Walker of Brown Walker Planners, and Kien Ho of BETA Group.

***

FUNDRAISER: There will be a fundraiser for the Stoughton High School Cross Country Teams Monday, October 15 at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt at Cobbs Corner in Canton (next to Five Guys). NO COUPON NEEDED.

Simply come in tonight, from 5-10 p.m. and 10% of all the proceeds during that period will be donated to the SHS Cross Country teams!

***