A SPECIAL NEED: Ashley Bernard, a student at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, and her mother Bonnie Bernard, met with State Representative William C. Galvin (D-Canton) at the State House on January 18. Stoughton Resident Bonnie Bernard spoke before a caucus of freshman legislators on the importance of special education and funding for special needs across the Commonwealth. She also outlined the services her daughter receives from Perkins School for the Blind.  With the dire financial picture at the State House, Bernard wanted to remind legislators of the importance of continuing to …

HAPPY ENGAGEMENT: Congratulations to Stoughton’s Lisa Mindick on her engagement to Mark Nuccio. Mazel Tov to the happy couple! RESOLVING TO FIGHT HUNGER: Peg Carbone's New Year's Resolution is to eliminate hunger in the Town of Stoughton. To this end, she is offering to pick up donations, large or small, from offices and homes every Thursday in Stoughton. All goods will be donated to St. Anthony's Free Market food pantry. The shelves are very low and the need is great. One item, a bag or box can be picked up.  Carbone only asks that it be a non-perishable item, with an unexpired date. Put her…

TIME FLIES: Stoughton Police Officer Stewart Mellyn celebrated his 22nd year on the force yesterday.  The Stoughton native still lives in town, and is a 1980 graduate of Stoughton High.    A NEW DISC: Stoughton musical legend Lori McKennawill release her newest CD, "Lorraine" this upcoming Tuesday, January 25.  The Stoughton High grad, whose songs have topped the charts by artists like Faith Hill, will be performing in two FREE concerts on the day of the release, Tuesday, January 25.  She will be playing at 12:30 p.m. at the Newbury Comics store in Faneuil Hall in Boston. Then, at 6 p.m. that…

IS THIS YOUR DOG? Animal Control officer Mike Gormaley tells About Town that they have a very nice dog in their possession and would like to reunite her with her family. She was found at the corner of Bay Road and Pine Tree Road Saturday night by an officer.  She's an older dog with an abdominal mass.  She could be a long haired chihuahua and papillion, or mix. Gormaley said "she's a really nice dog." Take a look at the attached photo. If this is your dog, call Mike at 781-344-1294, call the SPD at 781-344-2424 or email mgormaley@stoughton-ma.gov.  ONE FOR THE KIDDIES: Tonight, there's a …

CONCERNED ABOUT THE SCHOOLS AND TOWN?  If you didn't like hearing the news of a 1.94 million dollar cut to the School Committee's proposed budget, you should show up tonight at Town Hall.  If you were upset that the schools submitted a 4.56% higher budget than last year, at a time when the Town Manager asked department to cut 5% from their budgets, then you should show up.  If you are worried about how the schools and municipal government will be able to operate under such financial restraints, then come TONIGHT to the Board of Selectmen meeting at 6:30 p.m.  The public will have a chance to …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Hank Herbowy, the unofficial photographer (along with Jim Noe) for the Town of Stoughton. Hank, who is a veteran, turns 75.  He is ubiquitous at many of the town's meetings and events, documenting them for snydersstoughton.com.  The town wishes Hank a collective Happy Birthday! GRAND OPENING SHOWS SKIN:  The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, January 17 at Pure Skin Care Salon at 10 Porter Street in Stoughton. Pictured (second picture in gallery, front row, l to r): Jennifer O'Neill, Erin Pope, Lani Kennedy, Christopher O'Neill and Lisa O…

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY.  And, a happy birthday to Stoughton's Amy Miller, a registered nurse (and soon to be Certified Diabetic Educator).  She is married to Mike "Moose" Miller, and is mom to Stoughton High students Matt and Jesse.     CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING:  There will be a ribbon cutting tonight (5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.), hosted by the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce at Pure Skin Care Salon at 10 Porter Street in downtown Stoughton.  Salon owners Lisa & Chris O'Neil, will be hosting that event, which features a glass of wine, a variety of appetizers and a chance to tour their brand …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Stoughton Police Officer Allen Curtis.  The father of SEVEN, including a new baby, Allen Jr. (A.J.), he could probably use some sleep for his birthday!  Happy Birthday also goes out to Stoughton Journal editor Stu Green. FOYE IS AN ARTISTIC JOY: Mrs. O'Connell's 7th grade art classes at the O'Donnell Middle School participated in a contest, sponsored by the Stoughton Lions Club, to design a Peace Poster.  Julia Foye's poster came in first place, as chosen by the Stoughton Lions Club. But, that wasn't the end...It was just the beginning. Julia's "Peace Poster" went on for …

HAPPY RETIREMENT to Wayne Madan, who has served the town for 45 years.  He retired today as the custodian for the Stoughton Public Library. Here's an e-mail Sue Hargreaves, the Outreach Services Coordinator at the Stoughton Public Library, sent to Patch: "We had a small party for [Wayne] at the library in the Wales French Room yesterday, Thurs, Jan 13th.  At that time the employees and the trustees of the library presented him with a rocker with the Town of Stoughton seal on the front and a plaque on the back with his name, title, years of service etc.  In attendance at the party were the …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Chu Li, former owner of the Stoughton Coffee House (now Best Pals).  Chu Li, a native of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, is married to Jim Lindelof.   BOOK SIGNING: Stoughton Author and Resident Kyle Darcy ("Under Current Conditions") will have a book signing on Martin Luther King Day,  Monday, January 17th at 1 p.m. in Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Route. 1 in Walpole. Given Wednesday’s power outages it’s important everyone has a good book this winter for curling up by the fire! His psychological thriller book of murder and intrigue fits the bill. AN EVENT FOR ANNE MCCORMICK: An…

Facebook Storm Stories Around Town: Barbara Leaver shared this story among friends: "As I was out shoveling, some random guy with a plow stopped and plowed the end of the driveway. I don't know who he was, but I love him."  ... From Dave Schulze: "ok, 4 hours and 20 inches of snow later; the driveway and walkway are totally clear -- oh wait, it is snowing again/still !!!" ... A bit of humor from Attorney Barry Crimmins: "Driveway is done! Should've bought that snow blower 14 years ago! Either that or had more kids!"   ... From Carin Klipp: "All the neighbors here are out helping each other …

Trying to get this done before we lose power.  Good luck in the snow.  This one's a REAL Blizzard.  Keep your eye on Patch and Jeffrey Pickette and the other reporters around town who will be bringing you the storm, and all its ramifications.  Town Hall and the Library, as well as schools are closed, of course. So, stay inside, have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and ride it out. The worst of the storm will be over by noon. Dig out, and enjoy the day.  If you have an emergency from the storm, call 911, or call the Stoughton Police directly at 781-344-2424 or the Fire Department at 781-344-…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Donna Cicerone.   A "KNIGHT" OUT WITH THE OPRAH LADIES: A Unique Fundraiser for Stoughton's Schools will be on Friday, January 14, from 5-8 p.m. at The Last Shot. You can have the chance to celebrate with the six lucky gals who traveled to Australia with Oprah in December. Educators Peggy Reiche, Cathy McCarthy, Debbie Daniels, Mary Wright Linda Sullo and Evelyn Smith, all whom were treated to a trip to Australia by Oprah Winfrey, will be speaking about their experience at the event.   There will be lively entertainment as well as lots of tales, video clips, and photos…

BENEFIT FOR STOUGHTON ATHLETICS: Bob Evangelista, Jack Raeke and a group of volunteers is holding a fundraiser to support the Stoughton High School Athletic Department in funding some of the assistant coaching positions that were cut from the original 2011 budget.  At a school committee meeting last year, Evangelista and Raeke promised Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marguerite Rizzi that they would raise the funds if she re-instated the coaches.  Both maintained that the safety of students was compromised, particularly in freshman football, with the loss of the laid off coach.  So, a Benefit …

Birthday Wishes a day late for Candace Fisher, one of Stoughton's most active volunteers.  A vice chairman of her precinct at Town Meeting, Candace is an Executive Assistant at TD Bank.  She has served on the Stoughton Cultural Council, the Friends for Seniors and the Little Theatre of Stoughton, among others.  Hope her Sunday birthday was a great one! TOUR GERMANY & KOSOVO:  The Stoughton Public Library will present a visual tour of Germany and Kosovo on January 13, from 7 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. Jeremy Ackman will show the photos he took, and narrate the "tour." Admission is free.  The event …

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY to Aidan Patrick Curtis.   He just welcomed a new baby brother, A.J., into the family! THINK JAZZ! Cole Porter. Duke Ellington.  These names are legendary for fans of jazz  music.  And, for those who savor music by composers and musicians such as these, the evening of Sat., Jan. 29 will be a special one.  Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton will be hosting a jazz night that evening beginning at 7:30 p.m., featuring Lisa Yves.  She has been seen on the “Today Show” and heard on Boston radio stations WZLX, WBUR, WERS, WAAF. Yves was a finalist in the 2004 Boston Popsearch…

MESSAGE FROM THE STOUGHTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FACEBOOK ACCOUNT: "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kriss Whitehouse. Despite her life challenges, she spent considerable time, energy, and expense to show her love and support for us. Kriss, our words cannot describe the appreciation we have for what you have done for us. Kriss is truly an 'earth angel'." When asked about this post, Stoughton Police Executive Officer Lt. Robert Devine explained, "Kriss just dropped off her yearly 'care packages' for everyone at the station.  She takes the time and money to buy little items for us, and to put them…

CONGRATULATIONS---IT'S  A BOY!  About Town sends congratulations to Stoughton Police Officer Allen Curtis and his wife Christine Rogers Curtis on the birth of their baby boy, Allen David Curtis, Jr., yesterday. He was 9 lbs. 9 ounces, 21 and a half inches.   I asked mom how she was feeling, and she said "wonderful." Allen Jr. joins Abby, Aidan and Andrew for the happy couple (A great family...all "A" report card!)  HELP PAY FOR KENNY GROVER'S FUNERAL EXPENSES: Tonight at 8 p.m. at the American Legion, 400 Prospect Street in Stoughton there will be a fundraiser to raise money for Kenny Grover'…

HELP FIGHT LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA:  Join Stoughton's own Melissa Dunn on January 9, 2011, from 7-10 p.m. at Porticello Restaurant, 454 Turnpike Street, in Easton. Please join at a fundraiser to help Stoughton native Melissa Dunn as she trains with "team in training" to run in the Boston Marathon. They are asking all friends and family to join them at Porticello's to help her raise money. $20 Admission Charge at door, includes appetizers, a cash bar and some great raffles. Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. All of …

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR FLOAT: Rich Jasmin told About Town the list of this year’s Christmas Parade winning floats. They were: 1st place - the Vito family float (the Griswolds Family Vacation); 2nd place - the Gibson family (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas); Best musical float - Starline Academy; Best Christmas Spirit float - The Last Shot restaurant. The Callanan trophy, which is awarded to the public school with the most holiday spirit, went to the Dawe Elementary School. HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to: Susan Komisar Hausman, the author of the children's book, "Kisses From Dolce: A Book for Children About …