Elster wins coaching recognition.

Byline: Sandy Quadros Bowles

Mike Elster from Sutton has been named 2007 Boys Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, Sutton Youth Soccer recently announced.

Members of the Massachusetts youth soccer community, including volunteers, coaches, parents and players, are encouraged each year to nominate members of their organizations for Coach of the Year honors. Nominees are evaluated based on four categories: sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and citizenship.

The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association is the official representative of the United States Soccer Federation, the national governing body for soccer in the United States. Massachusetts Youth Soccer is the second largest of 55 state youth soccer associations in the United States, with more than 200,000 members.

Tom Costa, the president of Sutton Youth Soccer, submitted the nomination for Mr. Elster and attached several letters from parents, players, and community partners based on his commitment to soccer at all levels. In the last year, Mr. Elster has been a Sutton Youth Soccer Board member and coach, Fuller Hamlets Board member and coach, district select coach, Sutton High School boys varsity coach, and men's league player.

"Mike has made a significant impact in our community. In addition to coaching all these different teams, he also tries to link them so that there is a strong sense of community. With the younger age groups, he has them support the high school team by having them attend games. With the older kids, like my son, they give back by helping to coach the younger kids," Mr. Costa said in a prepared statement. "I think the culmination of all of this good will and community support can be found in Sutton Youth Soccer's Soccer Kicks for Cancer Program. Over the past three years, Sutton Youth Soccer has raised $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The first two years, Sutton Youth Soccer was the top fundraiser in the state. This program was initiated and organized by Mike and his wife. It is actually one of things I am most proud of as president of Sutton Youth Soccer."

Mr. Elster was to be honored by Massachusetts Youth Soccer at their new Citizens Bank Fields in Lancaster Sept. 30. But, not surprisingly, he could not be there: He had soccer games to coach.

Mr. Elster lives in Sutton with his wife, Heather, and their three sons.

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The Uxbridge Police Association recently donated $14,000 to the Adam Bullen Memorial Foundation, an Oxford-based organization that provides emotional and financial support for children and adults with cancer.

The association selected the foundation to receive the proceeds from Thunder in the Valley, the fourth annual motorcycle ride and chicken barbecue, which was held July 14.

The event honors the memory of Uxbridge Police Officer Chester W. "Chet" Dzivasen, who died unexpectedly at 35 in 2001. The fundraiser was sponsored by Uxbridge VFW 1385, the Uxbridge Police Association, Thunder Valley Customs and Five Star Screening.

Ken and Pat Bullen of Oxford lost their son Adam to cancer when he was only 30. Since then, they have dedicated their time in his memory, trying to bring comfort and support to families of cancer patients in the area.

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Philip Ciaramicoli Jr., chief executive officer of Tri-County Medical Associates Inc. (Tri-County Medical), welcomes Dr. Kristen Perras to Tri-County Medical's staff. Dr. Perras has joined Community Pediatrics in Milford and is on staff at Milford Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Perras received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and attended the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, where she received her medical degree in 2004. She performed her residency in pediatrics in the Combined Residency Program at Children's Hospital in Boston and Boston Medical Center.

During medical school, Dr. Perras was a volunteer at the Epworth Free Clinic in Worcester, where she evaluated patients, provided patient education and developed patient outreach programs. Dr. Perras is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission presented its Corridor Star Award to the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club at the Sept. 20 commission meeting, held at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management headquarters.

The paddle club was recognized for its 12 volunteer team leaders who stepped forward during the past two years to help take the club to a new level, commission members reported. This improved the quality of the programs it offers and allowed the corridor to increase the number of club participants.

In 2002, the Paddle Club was sponsored by the corridor commission and its staff. By 2005, the club was in danger of being discontinued because of budget and staffing changes. At the same time, the popularity of the program surged and the average attendance at Paddle Club outings more than doubled.

Realizing the integrity and safety of the program was at risk, the volunteer team leaders stepped forward again, creating a second night of Paddle Club activities each week through the summer and making the program more manageable.

The volunteer team leaders honored were Mary Lou Anderson, Millville; Elaine Andrews, Julie, Steve and Jason Riendeau, all of Uxbridge; Kent Cameron, Cheryl Thompson Cameron and Benn Thompson of Glocester, R.I.; Lisa DeHaan of Whitinsville; Erik Eckilson of Woonsocket, R.I.; Linda Konvalinka of Milford; Melanine Lamoureux and Jeann Mcinerney of Worcester; Wayne Leary, North Smithfield; Bob Martin, Cumberland, R.I.; Burt Nowell of North Attleboro; Lee Parham of Norton; Louise Price of Upton; and Mike Rock of Boylston.

These volunteers stepped up to take over the logistics of the club so that it has continued to meet weekly from May through August to explore the waterways of the Blackstone River Valley.

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) The Uxbridge Police Association recently donated $14,000 to the Adam Bullen Memorial Foundation. Pictured from left are: Uxbridge Police Sgt. Tim Burke and Uxbridge Police Officer Brian MacDonald of the Uxbridge Police Association; Lisa May; SueAnn Burke, Ron Massey, Diane Massey and Karen Sherlock from Thunder In The Valley Committee; and Pat Bullen and Ken Bullen from The Bullen Foundation.

Dr. Kristen Perras has joined Community Pediatrics in Milford and is on staff at Milford Regional Medical Center. (2) Commission Chairman Edward Sanderson listens to Blackstone Valley Paddle Club representative team leader Burt Nowell of North Attleboro after being presented with the Corridor Star Award along with fellow Team Leader Kent Cameron of North Scituate, R.I. (3) Staff members at First Congregational Church of Douglas are ready to launch their new youth program, The Mustard Seed Project. The project provides experience-oriented learning, varied events and social awareness projects for three age groups: elementary, middle and high school. The program begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 and is open to all children. Each age group meets in its own location in Douglas. For locations and more information, call the church office at [phone].

Dr. Kristen Perras has joined Community Pediatrics in Milford and is on staff at Milford Regional Medical Center.

PHOTOG: COURTESY PHOTOS