NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR.

Bruce Beyeler Jr. of Clinton and Roger Prather of Lancaster were among the graduates of the Massachusetts Department of Correction 303rd class of Recruits on March 27, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

The 303rd graduating class had 121 Correction Officers, four Correction Program Officers, and 10 Industrial Instructors. Their achievements were recognized by Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, Undersecretary for Criminal Justice, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security; and Mass. Department of Correction Commissioner Harold W. Clarke, who administered the oath of office. Undersecretary Heffernan gave the keynote address. William Dupre, Director of Staff Development, and Recruit Training Class President William F. Ramos were among the speakers.

The correction officer graduates complete a rigorous 10-week training program, with classes at the Shirley Training Academy and on-the-job training at correctional facilities. The graduates receive training in skills including emergency response procedures, ethics and professionalism, and the inmate management system. Upon graduation, all begin immediate assignments in the correctional facilities. The program is accredited for 22 college credits.

The Mass. Department of Correction Division of Staff Development has been honored by the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel with its Innovative Approaches Award for its ground-breaking curriculum reflecting reality and performance based training.

The March 27 graduation brings a total of 18 classes of recruits to graduate over the last three years, for a total of over 1,135 new corrections professionals to the Department.

The Mass. Department of Correction employs approximately 5,000 staff and houses over 11,000 inmates in 18 facilities, ranging from pre-release to maximum security.

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The following area residents received awards for their efforts in Bancroft School's winter sports teams:

Sophomore Nicole Manning, daughter of Mark and Karen Manning of Berlin, received the Most Valuable Player Award for Varsity Girls' Basketball and received Honorable Mention from the Eastern Independent League's All-League team.

Sophomore, Megan Anderson, daughter of Paul Anderson and Ann Cichon of Berlin, received the Most Improved Player Award for Varsity Volleyball and received Honorable Mention from the Eastern Independent League's All-League team.

Eighth-grader Brandon Radziewicz, son of Charles and Cynthia Radziewicz of Bolton, received the Leadership Award for Middle School Wrestling.

Seventh-grader Robert Donohue, son of John and Paula Donohue of Clinton, received the Coach's Award for Middle School Boys B Basketball.

Junior Benjamin Camp, son of Sharon Holmes Keller of Sterling, received the Most Valuable Player Award for Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball.

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Sterling Greenery owners, Mark and Karen Packard, were chosen to be the only distributor of Aquascape, Inc to hold the seminar featuring Greg Wittstock, CEO of Aquascape, Inc in 2008. Each year, Greg Wittstock comes to the Northeast to have his seminar on improving your business. This seminar is based on running a water garden business, but is really a motivational, inspiring seminar relating to business, employee issues, and more. This seminar will give contractors the education needed to build the three key elements of a successful and growing business. This seminar will be held on April 17 at the Sterling National Country Club. Anyone interested in attending the seminar should contact the Sterling Greenery ahead of time to sign up.

Sterling Greenery recently finished its most informative series of training events for local contractors ever. Supported by Unilock, Mix Advertising and Marketing, the Contractor Partenership, Alliance Outdoor Lighting, and Aquascape Inc., Sterling Greenery focused the winter on keeping local contractors up to date on all the new installation methods and products they will need to service their customers. From hands on installation seminars to classroom lectures, we provided the experts to keep these industry professionals up to date to better serve their customers.

Sterling Greenery is located on Route 140 (Redemption Rock Trail) in Sterling.

For more information on Sterling Greenery or the Contractor training series of classes, call Mark Packard at [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]. A list of events and seminars is also located on the Web site www.sterlinggreenery.com.

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Navy Seaman Apprentice Lindsey D. Bartlett, daughter of Cheryl A. Bartlett and William D. Bartlett of Bolton, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Bartlett completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Bartlett is a 2007 graduate of Nashoba Regional High School of Bolton.

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