STOUGHTON NATIVE RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY: Nicole Floro, a member of the Stoughton High School Class of 2005, is organizing a 3 on 3 basketball tournament in support of The Michael Lisnow Respite Center. The tournament, "Ballin' for a Cause," is scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Bridgewater Sports Complex (350 Bedford St. in Bridgewater). It is open to men and women aged 18+ and every team is guaranteed to play at least three games through double elimination, with a consolation round. Floro, who played STOYAC Basketball, ran track and played varsity field hockey for …

IMAGINE, JOHN LENNON COMING TO STOUGHTON: On Saturday, January 5, Dennis Stephen will bring his John Lennon tribute performance, LENNON SHOW back to The Last Shot Sports Bar & Grill in Stoughton. His last performance there was a smashing success (and he really does look and sound like Lennon in performance!) Dennis Stephen is a veteran rock and pop music performer, guitarist, vocalist, and former Geffen Records recording artist.  Known for his work with the Boston-based bands Stardust and Stratosphere in the late-1970's and 80's, Stephen ventured out nationwide, and has opened for major …

Editor's Note: On Dec. 20, the Stoughton Board of Selectmen held a collation at Town Hall to thank Interim Town Manager Joseph D. Feaster, Jr. for his service to the town and to welcome incoming Town Manager Michael J. Hartman. Many residents, town employees and town officials attended the meet and greet. Hartman was officially sworn in by Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney Dec. 21 at 11:30 a.m. (He'll also be sworn in before a public audience at an upcoming Selectmen's meeting). In a symbolic gesture, Feaster handed Hartman the keys to Stoughton's Town Hall. After serving as the Interim Town Manager …

William P. “Billy” Hammel, Jr., 62, a longtime resident of Stoughton, died peacefully at his home in East Falmouth on Sunday, Dec. 23. The Stoughton High graduate (Class of 1968) spent most of his life living and working in Stoughton. He worked for the Stoughton Department of Public Works for nearly 40 years, before his retirement as Assistant DPW Superintendent in 2010. Hammel served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Hammel was a member of the VFW Post 1645 in Stoughton. Friends say he enjoyed fishing, boating, NASCAR races, beaches, swimming and spending precious…

CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR:  I've written about it frequently, but I just love the Christmas spirit, and all it brings.  Despite the fact that my dad passed away a week before Christmas 31 years ago, I still look forward to the music of Christmas, and the spirit of goodness that goes with it.  Just look at what the people of Stoughton have done for Firefighter Jack Hussey, whose family lost everything this past Friday due to a fire at their Abington home. I'm sure residents would help him any time of year, but it just seems that people open their wallets more for their fellow man …

MOVIN' ON UP: Reliable Window & Siding is moving to Stoughton at a space on Tosca Dr. The business, which has been in Canton since 2000, under the leadership of the late Albie DiStefano.  Owner Carol DiStefano tells About Town that the rent will be $1,100 cheaper for the same amount of space and the office is much nicer.  She was enthusiastic about her new landlord, too. "We are renting from Eric Hoffmann. His family is from Stoughton and he currently lives in New York. We are really looking forward to the move to 194 Tosca Dr in Stoughton on January 3, 2013," she said.  As someone who used …

JINGLE JOG A SUCCESS!  A couple of dozen people jogged a mile to ring in hope and support for a Stoughton woman battling cancer this past Saturday, December 15. The jog was held at the West School Athletic Complex. Bells were given to each participant, so they jingled while they jogged! There were raffles (About Town actually won!), kids played on the playground, hot chocolate, coffee, and donuts (I partook) were served. The walk for Erica Ebner, a 28-year-old long time Stoughton resident, who was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, raised over $2,500. After months of …

LOCAL TEMPLE HOLDING FUNDRAISER FOR CONNECTICUT VICTIM: Stoughton's Ahavath Torah Congregation is holding a fundraiser for the family of 6-year-old Noah Pozner, who was a victim of the Newtown, CT school shooting that took the lives of 20 young children and six teachers and administrators. Noah had a twin sister and an 8-year-old sister, both of whom survived the Dec. 14 tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Boston Herald reports.  Ahavath Torah Congregation President David Schulze tells About Town, "There are no real deep formal plans. We just decided today that we needed to do …

TOYS FOR TOTS EVENT COLLECTS TRUCKLOADS OF TOYS: The Capozzoli family had their Annual Toys for Tots Event Friday, December 14, at The Village Pub, 1272 Washington Street on Rt. 138. They collected a couple of truckloads of unwrapped, non-violent toys that will be heading to the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program. The Capozzoli's made it a real special occasion, as they always do! They served an amazing home-cooked buffet, featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, ham, gravy, meatballs, salad, and two varieties of wings. There were also raffle prizes for their guests, to generate funds for…

TOWN ACCOUNTANT PLANS TO AUDIT SCHOOLS: On December 14, Stoughton Town Accountant Bill Rowe informed the school department, through an email to Stoughton Public Schools Finance Director Jessica Denison, that he would like to perform an audit of the school's payroll operation on Wednesday or Thursday this coming week. He said the request came as a result of "an unfortunate action on the part of selectmen," but that their "concerns are understandable given the continued refusal by the School Department to provide our office with certain employment contracts." He told Denison that Susan Herman, …

REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS DURING THE HOLIDAYS: Please don't forget the brave veterans during the holiday season. The Pietro family has partnered with Mike Pazyra and the Town of Stoughton Veterans Office and The Last Shot in creating a drive for our Active Military and our Veterans in need. Our local Veterans that are overseas are in need of supplies for their care packages! Our Disabled Veterans and Our Veterans that are in Nursing Homes or Rehabs locally are in need of daily living supplies.   Below is a list of some items and daily living supplies for our Veterans. You can drop them off at …

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER SAYS RIZZI PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH STATE FUNDS - School Committee member Dr. Erdem Ural fired off a number of missives to the press, his fellow board members, the Selectmen, and others, but his biggest volley was addressed to Superintendent of Schools  Dr. Marguerite Rizzi and Stoughton Schools Finance Director Jessica Denison. He wrote that he stumbled upon a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by accident on December 10. The letter, dated December 3, 2012, stated, in part: “We have not received your 2011-2012 End of …

A JINGLE JOG! Jog a mile to ring in hope and support for a Stoughton woman battling cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma). It happens on Saturday, December 15, with check-in at 1:30 p.m. The jog will be held at the West School Athletic Complex, at 1322 Central Street. Bells will be given to each participant, so you can jingle while you jog, and purple ribbons to symbolize Hodgkin's Lymphoma.   There will be raffles, playground fun for the kids, hot chocolate, snacks, and more fun! Cost is $20 per person or $35 per family. The 1-mile jog/walk starts at 2 p.m.  All proceeds will benefit Erica Ebner, a 28…

CHRISTMAS PARADE ATTRACTS LARGE CROWD:  Sunday, December 9, the Annual Stoughton Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Community Events Committee, drew a large gathering in Stoughton Square.  Over 100 hundred people got involved in a trivia game before the parade, an dozens won gift certificates to Papa John's Pizza, The Last Shot, and games provided by PMPNetwork, Inc.  That was the fun BEFORE the parade. At 2 p.m., the first blaring of the sirens could be heard, and with the Stoughton Police Department's motorcycles, cruisers, SUV's, followed by Engine 4 and Ladder Truck 2 from the Stoughton …

CHAMBER PARTY HELPS PJ CAMPAIGN: 140 business leaders celebrated at the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce's 10th Annual Holiday Party Monday night at the Portuguese National Club.  There was entertainment by Chris Zienko from Men in Black DJ service.  Joanne Schneider, the Chamber's membership director, as always, did a fantastic job putting it all together. There was an incredible array of food, from places ranging from Outback to Chinatown, from Stelio's Pizza to Smokey Bones. The Prone Family Foundation dropped $1500, which considerably boosted the Chamber's coffers.  The night featured a live…

GIANT FLAGPOLE MAKES DEBUT! You might have noticed a huge flagpole flying Old Glory at Stoughton's Evergreen Cemetery across from the Town Spa. The new pole stands 70-feet high and sits on the American Legion Post 89 lot at the final resting place of so many Stoughton military men and women. This 70-foot flag pole replaces the old 60-foot pole, which was showing signs of age. This new one is thicker, and more sturdy, in addition to being taller. A spotlight will be installed this week by National Grid so that the flag will be illuminated very soon. Rad Williams, President and Trustee of the …

MURDER AT TOWN HALL!  Tickets have just gone on sale for the Support Our Library Association (SOLA) fundraising theatrical production in January, titled "Murder at the Library." This "Murder at the Library" will actually be held at the Great Hall on the third floor of Town Hall on Friday, January 18 (with a snow date of the January 25.)  The fun starts at 7 p.m. There is limited seating, so get your tickets early! Tickets are $15 before December 15, and $20 per ticket after that, and at the door (if available). This murder mystery is for those over 21, as beer and wine will be available for …

DON'T MISS THE CHRISTMAS PARADE!  Stoughton always has a great Christmas Parade, and this year is no exception! On Sunday, Dec. 9, the Parade kicks off at 2 p.m. The parade will be leaving the Stoughton High School parking lot, taking a right on Pearl Street, going through the center, and ending at Faxon Park. Starting at 1:30 p.m., I'll be at the reviewing stand in front of the old Pacheco Hardware building, giving out some great prizes for trivia!  You can win gift certificates kindly donated by The Last Shot and Papa John's, plus some goodies donated by PMPNetwork.com, the internet's …

THE BEST THREE DOLLAR DINNER ANYWHERE! The Friends for Seniors held their Annual Christmas Dinner at the Immaculate Conception Church Hall on Saturday, December 1, and 300 grateful and very happy seniors enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner, with stuffing, baked potato, green beans, and a cake from Costco for dessert. The seniors got charged only a nominal $3 for the dinner, which also featured raffles. The Friends for Seniors do a fundraiser each year to supplement the cost. The food was prepared by Mike Sammarco and the Sons of Italy Crew - Donald Interrante, Dennis Gada, Alan Veterosa, Steve…

CHIEF SHASTANY IS BACK: Next Step - Hiring a Deputy Chief for the Stoughton Police Department. Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany has had a tough few months. He underwent surgery on his back on August 21, and has had a slow, painful recovery. He'll be returning to full-time duty on Monday, December 3, and will start the process of filling the position of Deputy Police Chief. The last Town Meeting overwhelmingly voted to create the position of Deputy Police Chief, at the recommendation of Chief Shastany. Since then, the State Legislature and Governor Deval Patrick have signed off, and now …