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Community Corner

ABOUT TOWN: Jerseys and Jesus

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. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e-mail to pmpco@aol.com.

SHS FRESHMEN FOOTBALL CAR WASH A SUCCESS, BUT "JESUS" SIGN OFFENDS ONE RESIDENT:  The Freshmen Football team had a this past weekend at , and raised $1900, which will pay for new jerseys for the entire team (they are replacing some from the 1980s), and also some new helmets. 

Freshmen Head Coach Eddie Rodrigues told About Town he would like to "thank everyone for coming down to our carwash last Saturday [June 16]. It was an overwhelming success in which we raised enough funds to buy new jerseys, screening for the numbers, and pay for equipment." 

"Coach Burke, Kelley, Pirri, Carew, and I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped out, as well as everyone who donated to the program. Go Black Knights," he continued.  

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But, in the midst of this successful event, one of the players managed to offend some car owners driving by the lot. 

Christopher D'Arpino, who hosts "Animal House" on local cable access, writes the "Animal House" column for Stoughton Patch, and is the founder of the , told About Town that he was driving by the lot and told the kids he wasn't interested in a car wash. He said players started pushing signs into his windshield, including one reading, "What would Jesus do?" 

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D'Arpino tells me, "My issue isn't that the sign is offensive. It's that the schools have trampled and banned religion in schools and the coaches and parents standing feet from these kids thought this sign was okay. Frankly, I think this sign trivializes religion, and makes fun of people's beliefs."

D'Arpino continued, "Invoking Jesus' name for a car wash? That's not okay. School on Good Friday wasn't okay, but they did that at one Stoughton elementary school. This is in bad taste and the coaches and parents should have known that. And, that they didn't, makes me wonder about their ability to guide impressionable children. Maybe the kids should go volunteer at a soup kitchen or mission and find out what Jesus would do." 

On Monday, Coach Rodrigues told About Town that, "I was there until noon and was not aware of that sign. I don't know anything about it. These kids are in 8th grade. We had a couple of parents there and a few coaches. I thought the signs all advertised the car wash for $5."

Rodrigues was very pleased with the event.

"We made $1900, and it paid for all the jerseys, numbers screening, and some helmets," he said.

"I wish that those who had complaints had come in and told one of us at the car wash," Rodrigues added.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Stoughton's own Tom Webb. He's a Stoughton High grad. And, to Kathy Donohue-LeGrice, owner of Paradise Palms Therapeutic Massage in Stoughton. She's a grad of Lincoln Technical Institute. 

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