Community Corner
ABOUT TOWN: Music Surrounds Stoughton
Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town.
Ahavath Torah has been bringing some big musical acts to town lately, including their blues fest held last weekend.
Stoughton, of course, has a rich musical history. This town is home to the oldest chorale society in the United States (The Old Stoughton Musical Society), which dates back to November 7, 1786 (when it was known as the Stoughton Musical Society.
After it was incorporated in 1908 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it was designated as The Old Stoughton Musical Society. This musical society was officially recognized by The Guinness Book of Records in 1994, thanks to proof provided by Stoughton's resident musicologist, Roger Hall.)
And, Stoughton boasts one of the most award-winning high school music programs in the country, and such successful singer-songwriter graduates as Lori McKenna, Mike Viola, and Maria Sangiolo.
So, back to Glaser. He has been named on of the Top Ten Jewish Singers in the USA, and has done work for ESPN and former networks like SportsChannel and the WB Network.
Glaser has been composing, singing and tickling the ivories since the ripe old age of seven. He graduated the University of Colorado, Boulder with a BA in Business and Music and supplemented his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and at the UCLA Film Scoring Program.
He has worked as a photographer, journalist, sportswear manufacturer and salesman. He is a life-long skier, big wave body-boarder and mountain biker.
Sam lives in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles and devotes his life to his wife Shira and their children Max, Jesse and Sarah.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The singer has electrified both Christian and Jewish audiences. He travels the country and performs about 50 shows a year.
Pastor Troy Lewis writes, "I can't remember the last time I've seen so many joyous smiles and heard such sweet, spontaneous singing. Sam is so gifted in his ability to share the beauty of the Jewish faith and the importance of standing with the Jews and Israel."
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Sam's latest CD, "The Promise", will be available after the show. We're lucky enough that he made one of his stops in Stoughton! Tickets are only $10. A reception will follow the concert. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
For more information, call 781-344-8733 or email office@atorah.org.
POLITICAL ASYLUM SUNDAY: Talking about the music - What would happen if a bunch of Democrats sang and played music that they enjoyed years ago. Why, you'd have Political Asylum, a band that only gets together mostly for fundraisers.
The Stoughton Lions Club's 15th Annual Concert In The Park Series, has been underway for the past two weeks, and the Corvairs and Olde Kids on the Block both drew great crowds in the heat.
All concerts are held in the Charles Large Gazebo at Faxon Veterans Memorial Park, across from Stoughton Public Library on Park Street (Rt. 27). Concerts are Sundays from 5-7 p.m. and are FREE to Stoughton residents.
This Sunday, July 28, Stoughton’s own Roy Cohen and Steve Fradkin lead “Political Asylum,” which is fronted by former radio host and State Representative Marjorie Clapprood.
You might not agree with their politics (and then again, you might), but you'll enjoy their music.
Come down and enjoy. Bring a chair, and remember there are no sanitary facilities.
More great music comes to Stoughton!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Thursday Birthday Wishes to Mike Varner, owner of Maxx Training Center on Rose Street in Stoughton. Varner, a champion fighter, has single-handidly battled against bullying, by training youngsters to learn to defend themselves, and to have a healthy self-esteem.
Also, to Attorney William Gillespie, a Southern New England School of Law grad, who practices in Stoughton.
Also, to Matt Green, who turns 21. He's a SHS grad and a student-athlete at Bridgewater State University. He's the top receiver for the Bears football team.
And, to Lisa Melendy Tetrault, a server at Boston Tavern. She is the daughter of Victor Melendy, a Stoughton Firefighter who lost his life while battling a Stoughton fire on January 28, 1995, and his lovely wife, Carol.
Birthday wishes on Saturday to Stoughton's own nationally-known private eye, Joseph Moura. He is president of the National Investigation Bureau, Inc. Joe is the co-author of the critically acclaimed textbook Advanced Forensic Civil Investigations. He also makes frequent appearances on national and international television and radio programs.
Mr. Moura has been featured on CBS News’ 48 Hours Mystery. CBS News’ anchor Dan Rather is quoted as calling Mr. Moura “One of America’s Top Five Investigators.” More importantly, he was also featured on Snyder's Stoughton TV Show.
Happy birthday wishes on Sunday to Kevin Bechet, the excellent video production teacher at Stoughton High School. He has helped many a student, including my own son, put together sports videos to send to college coaches.
***HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Special Anniversary wishes on Sunday for Mike and Cindy Pazyra. Mike is the Veteran's Agent for Stoughton, while Cindy was a long-time Board member for the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. Both are also good friends. They will be celebrating 34 years together.
Also celebrating an anniversary on Sunday is my favorite Chinese restaurant, Chinatown. My good friends Lisa and William Wong opened their Stoughton location on July 28, 1995. I wish them many more years of success!
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