Assabet Valley science teacher wins 2nd grant.

COLUMN: Neighbors

Alexia Forhan, a science teacher at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, has received a $1,500 grant from the American Chemical Society for her popular forensics science class at the school.

The grant, awarded by the society's Hach Programs High School Outreach Selection Committee, will be used for class materials.

In a letter sent to Ms. Forhan, Bryce Hach, a senior education consultant with the American Chemical Society, said, "We are very excited to have you among the selected high school chemistry teachers and look forward to hearing about the great work this grant provides to the benefit of your students."

The forensics science class is an elective course available to all students. For a recent class, Ms. Forhan arranged to have John Biellio, a state trooper who works in the state crime lab, speak to the students.

This is the second grant that Ms. Forhan has received this year. Last month she learned she had won a $5,000 award through the Best Buy Foundation.

Hebrew school to celebrate year's end

WESTBORO - Chabad Hebrew School will celebrate the end of the school year during a ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon June 7 at the school, 276 Turnpike Road.

The ceremony will include presentation of the Aleph Champ awards, an interactive game with parents and kids, special class presentations, a surprise gift, and refreshments. School projects will be on display.

"It's very important to end the year on a positive note," says Moshe Witkes, a staff member at the school. "We want the children to remember how much they've learned, how valuable it's been and that they are looking forward to coming back for another exciting year."

The school is accepting new students for the 2009-10 school year. The school is for children ages 5-13 and runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sundays.

Animals pay a visit to the classroom

NORTHBORO - Animal Adventures of Bolton recently paid a visit to students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade at Peaslee School as part of an enrichment program sponsored by the school's PTO.

The children were shown and allowed to touch a variety of animals. They learned about the animals' natural habitats, what they like to eat, and how their coloring protects them in the wild.

Realty firm helping with food drive

WESTBORO - The Westboro office of Keller Williams Realty is participating in a Tri-Town Food Pantry food drive in recognition of Keller Williams International's RED Day. The Renew, Energize and Donate Day is a new Keller Williams initiative dedicated to improving local communities.

The drive ends May 14. There are eight drop-off locations for donations to help stock food pantries in Grafton, Northboro and Westboro. KW Associates will be picking up donations on the 14th and distributing them to the area pantries.

Community members are encouraged to drop off any amount of non-perishable food items, paper goods, and toiletry products at any of the following locations: Westboro Public Library; Phil's Barber Shop in the Westboro Rotary; Hair Cuttery, Route 9 East, Westboro; Keller Williams Realty, Route 9 East, Westboro; Teamworks, Otis Street, Northboro; Grafton Public Library; Grafton Dry Cleaners, Route 122; and Grafton Country Store, Grafton Common.

Fundraiser planned for public schools

SHREWSBURY - Heather Logrippo, of 4 Prospect St., is holding a "garden party" fundraiser to benefit Shrewsbury public schools from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 13 at her home.

The cost is $50. The event will include wine and beer tasting sponsored by Renaissance Wine and Spirits of Shrewsbury. There will be parking at the public library, First Congregational Church and Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.

Players to present "Sweeney Todd"

WESTBORO - The Westborough Players' Club will present Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" May 22-31 at Gibbons Middle School.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 22, 23, 29, 30, and at 3 p.m. May 24 and 31.

Tickets are $18; $15 for senior citizens and students; and $14 for groups of 10 or more. They are available online at westboroughplayers.com or by calling [phone].

The show is not recommended for children younger than 12.

Cheerleaders to hold benefit car wash

Cheerleaders from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlboro will hold a car wash from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6 at the Wal-Mart in Hudson. The car wash will benefit juvenile diabetes research at Children's Hospital in Boston. The price is $5 for cars and $7 for trucks.

Scouts camp out

at Treasure Valley

RUTLAND - It was Boy Scout camporee time at Treasure Valley, and the troops, it seemed, were ready. All of them.

Six hundred Boy Scouts, their leaders and assorted dads pitched tents and gathered gear earlier this month for a long weekend of living and learning. Added to the mix were six Civil War re-enactment units, ready to share survival skills, their enthusiasm for history, a little music and a lot of fun.

Camporees are held semi-annually, and each is planned around a theme.

Jim Dunne, a council member and a re-enactor, suggested the Civil War theme. He contacted friends within the Civil War groups and received an enthusiastic response, he said. About 100 Civil War re-enactors attended.

Maj. Mark Slayton of Millis, commander of the event, said that he and his group enjoy working with youth and encouraging them to learn about history.

"They're having so much fun, they don't even realize they're learning," Mr. Dunne said.

Scout and military leaders had conspired to keep the day moving in an organized, lively fashion. The cannon fired at regular intervals, signaling units to move from one place or activity to another.

Blacksmith Mike Arruda attracted a steady audience as he demonstrated and explained the mysteries of his craft. Nearby, Herb Laughery and Gail White, in Union uniforms, assisted with the construction of a pontoon bridge. Dave Schegel and the 5th Mass. Battery brought their No.2 cannon, a crowd pleaser and a magnet for boys of all ages.

Eventually, the Yanks appeared from below, and the Confederate forces attacked from the hillside. There was firing of muskets and rifles, a few yells, and a casualty or two.

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: SUBMITTED PHOTO

CUTLINE; (1) Alexia Forhan, a science teacher at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, works with one of her students, Juan Joniaux from Marlboro. (2) Students from Peaslee School in Northboro hold a red tail boa constrictor during a recent program at the school.