LIKE YEARS AGO—GLEN ECHO TALK BRINGS CROWD: The Stoughton Historical Society drew the largest crowd ever to its Lucius Clapp building headquarters on Sunday afternoon, February 19. A slide show, featuring many Glen Echo pictures, documents, and maps, beginning with the land’s York Pond/Ponkapoag Plantation/Indian past, was featured. Images of the original deluxe resort built by Elisha Monk in 1895, the addition of trolley lines and electricity, the passing of the land to Elisha’s children, Eunice Mantle, Bertha Marston, and George Monk, the sales of cottage lots on the eastern shore off “…

POLICE CHIEF GETS SPECIAL HONOR: About Town has learned that Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany has been elected as a Section Leader at The FBI National Academy at Quantico, VA. Shastany was unanimously elected as one of six Section Leaders representing the 260 law enforcement officials attending the 10-week training session. What's the odds? The Chief already stood tall as one of less than 1/2 of 1% of law enforcement officials who ever get asked to attend in the first place. Then, he's selected as one of six to represent the 260 attendees. In addition, after the six made their required …

PRE-PROM EVENT BRINGS FASHION & RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER: OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) sponsored a pre-prom event at Stoughton High School on February 13 and featured talks by social worker and OASIS Board member Dan Tarlin, Acting Police Chief Robert Devine and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, as well as opening remarks by SHS Principal Matt Colantonio.   The goal of the event, held for the second consecutive year, is to reduce youth substance abuse onProm night. And have some fun—there was also a fashion show, with a group of students modeling the …

STOUGHTON AUTHOR TAKES MOONWALK: Parent and Child Magazine recently named I Took the Moon for a Walk one of the 100 Greatest Books for Kids. About Town discovered that Dawe School PTO Co-President Carolyn Curtis-Mahoney is the best-selling, highly-respected author of the book!  Stoughton’s Curtis-Mahoney worked on the book with Alison Jay. Amazon.com writes about Curtis-Mahoney's book: "Lyrically written and beautifully illustrated, this memorable moonlight journey will leave all who read it marveling at the serene beauty of the world at night. “Following the magical adventure of a young boy …

JONES SCHOOL ROOF PROJECT VENDOR APPROVED: The Jones Early Childhood Education Center roof—which was the catalyst for a bitter battle  between the schools and municipal sides of government—is finally going to get repaired.  Tuesday night the School Committee approved the lowest bidder, SOM Construction Enterprises, with a bid of $455,247.  A couple of weeks ago, Acting Procurement Officer Lindsay Pope had accused the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools with "knowingly breaking the law" with accepting illegal bids on the project.  Pope wrote (on January 26, 2012) that "A low bidder …

LOCAL CADET MAKES DEAN'S LIST – Cadet Jeffrey Johnston, son of Sherrianne and Kenneth Johnston of Stoughton, has been named to the Dean's List as a Distinguished Cadet with Academic Recognition for the Fall Semester - August through December - at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. To earn this distinction the cadet must maintain a QPA of at least 3.67.   He entered West Point in June and spent the summer in “Beast Barracks” which is the intense orientation program all Plebes must complete.  Johnston graduated from Stoughton High School in 2010 and will be commissioned as a second …

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FORUM IMPRESSES AT THE JONES: With many choices for private and parochial schools, the Stoughton Public Schools were holding their third Showcase (following ones at the O'Donnell Middle School and Stoughton High) to interest the public in their schools.  This showcase, held Monday evening, February 13 at the Jones Early Childhood Center, featured the elementary schools and preschool program. Gibbons School Principal Lynne Jardin, Dawe School Principal David Barner, Hansen School Principal Faye Polillio, South School Principal Maureen Mulvey, West School Principal Brendan …

IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION: From Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney—The last day to register to vote or change your party for the Presidential Primary on March 6 is Wednesday, February 15. Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office if you are not sure if you are registered to vote or to check your party registration.  If you have moved into Stoughton recently, you will need to register to vote in Stoughton. If you have recently gotten married, you will also need to change your name on your voter registration. The Town Clerk’s Office (first floor of Town Hall) will be open on February 15 until 8 p.m. for …

LIONS ALL FIRED UP: The Stoughton Lions Club met Wednesday night, February 8, at Chinatown Restaurant. They welcomed special guest, Fire Chief Mark Dolloff (pictured in our Gallery with King Lion Robert Mullen.) Mullen tells About Town, "Chief Dolloff is an excellent speaker. He showed us the progression of thermal imaging technology. The newest are hand-held cameras that are only $4,000 each. These are used to find people in fires."  Two of the "older models," to which the Lions contributed towards, are now in use by the Fire Department. Dolloff said that those cameras—which originally cost …

CONDOLENCES I:  About Town sends condolences to the family of Len Gold, a former member of the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority and former regular on The Local News, hosted by Dick Murphy. Gold had also served as Chairman of the Stoughton Republican Town Committee.  He passed away on Thursday. “I met Len when we served together on the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority. He was an incredibly moral and honest man. I always knew he could be counted on to do the right thing no matter what the price," current School Committee member Deborah Sovinee said. "I enjoyed seeing him around town after we …

CHAMBER HANDS OUT AWARDS:  The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce gave out several "Caught You Doing Something Good" awards Monday afternoon at the Texas Roadhouse in Brockton, as part of their February meeting.  Executive Director Terry Schneider was Master of Ceremonies, and Chairman Chris Petrie, Immediate Past Chairman Rick Kaplan, and Board member Elizabeth Snell also handed out awards.  Awards were given by Schneider to: Leandra Andrade (pictured with her grandmother Diane Sousa) Heather Padgett of Panera Bread Peter Boudreau and Neil DeMaranville, volunteers with Ilse Marks Food Pantry. …

JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS NO MORE:  Yes, we know that in a cost-cutting measure years ago the elementary school was closed down.  Yet, it is utilized today with an array of students for preschool programs, and has a beautiful new Parents Center.  So, in recognition of the changing role of the school, the School Committee has officially changed the name of the Walnut Street venue to…Drum Roll…the Edwin A. Jones Early Education Center.  Of course, the Jones School roof repair is at the center of a storm of controversy about the town's procurement practices. *** MEET YOUR REP: State Rep Lou …

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS ON THE PULPIT: Linda Pane, Coordinator of Stoughton Life Teen told About Town that Father Joseph McDermott observed the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood this weekend. Immaculate Conception Church marked this occasion with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5. A reception with light refreshments was held following the Mass. Many parishioners and townspeople turned out to honor Father Joe on this momentous occasion. Father Joe is an integral part of the Stoughton Clergy Association, as well as the Friends for Seniors organization. He is a down-to-earth…

BEST THEATRE IN TOWN:  Theatre Director A.J. MacQuarrie has come out of "retirement" and is bringing what he terms "Probably the best theatre in this town in a long time."   He's hoping that people will come. If you do, you'll be entertained by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Lindsay Abaire's play, "Kimberly Akimbo."  The play has strong language and mature themes.  This Little Theatre of Stoughton production is about a 16-year-old girl who ages four and a half times faster than the average person, dealing with her dysfunctional family, and the end of her life at such a young age.  Jan Jones, a …

Editor’s Note: About Town’s Mark Snyder put together a special edition of his column, rounding up Stoughton’s Super Bowl picks. Of the 30 responses, 26 pick the hometown Patriots to beat the Giants, but most expect a close game, with the average predicted score, Patriots 28, Giants 23. Add your prediction in the comment section and take our poll! *** SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS “Hmmm…it will be close…Patriots 21, Giants 18.  MVP? Who else?  Tom Brady. I have been to Gillette Stadium for every home game this season, there were two against the Giants, Patriots lost both of them (preseason and …

MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE A HUGE SUCCESS: O'Donnell Middle School Assistant Principal David Guglia was preparing for the first ever School Showcase with guarded optimism. He told About Town he had 75 chairs in the Media Room, and figured---if things went well--125 people might show up. Well, Guglia, who was pinch-hitting for an under-the-weather Principal Wayne Hester, was extremely pleased when the room was jammed with at least 250 parents and students. "It's a wonderful turnout. We'll let everyone know about our middle school, from the small class size to the sports clubs and extra-curricular …

YOUTH BASEBALL BREAKFAST: The annual Stoughton Youth Baseball Breakfast will be held at the Sons of Italy on Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 8:30–11 a.m.      This will also be the last day for the spring registration so come on down, have some food and get registered. A late fee of $20 will be assessed to all that register after this date.   The Major American League draft will be on February 15, 2012 at the Portuguese National Club on Wyman Street and will begin at 7 p.m. sharp!  The AA and Major National League Draft will be on February 28, 2012 at the Portuguese National Club on Wyman …

SHOWCASING THE HIGH SCHOOL: The first Stoughton High School showcase, aimed at eighth graders, was a HUGE success. Large crowds gathered in the high school auditorium and cafeteria on January 30 to hear speakers, and meet students from the many organizations and sports teams at the high school. The goal of the showcase is to give parents and students the chance to learn about the Stoughton schools, while encouraging families to educate their children in the town’s public school system. Stoughton High Principal Matt Colantonio, who a few years ago was assistant principal at the O'Donnell …

OOCH'S FAMILY EXPERIENCE! The Dawe Elementary School PTO is pleased to announce the “Ooch’s Family Experience” show fundraiser on February 11, 2012 at the Stoughton High School auditorium. This fun-filled event entertains while providing family bonding and communication opportunities. Brett “Ooch” Outchcunis calls himself a modern-day Mr. Rogers – minus the cardigan, and with a quirky bag of tricks. A “life-coach for kids,” “Ooch” connects with children of all ages, and captivates their parents as well. Through music, magic, comedy, dance, and his trusty yo-yo, “Ooch” shares his light-hearted…

A VERY SAD ANNIVERSARY: 17 years ago, on January 28, 1995, Stoughton lost Firefighter Victor C. Melendy in a deadly Saturday morning blaze on Rose Street. He was 47 years old.  Melendy, a 23-year veteran of the Stoughton Fire Department, was searching for people trapped inside a burning house when the blaze suddenly accelerated, fire officials said at the time. He was the second Stoughton firefighter killed in the line of duty in the department's history. The first was Edward J. Kelleher, killed Dec. 21, 1966, while battling a blaze.  A bell on a Stoughton Fire Engine bears Melendy's name. …