NEIGHBORS.

Club nets donation

OXFORD - Hometown Bank has made a major gift to the campaign to build a new home for the Boys and Girls Club of Webster-Dudley.

Hometown Bank President and CEO Matthew Sosik and Community Reinvestment Director Don Claprood recently presented the organization with a check for $50,000.

"This is the single largest gift Hometown Bank has ever given," Mr. Sosik said. "We consider this gift an investment in the youth of our community and a strong show of support for the tremendous work being done by this organization every day."

Hometown's gift was given in response to the organization's $10 million Capital and Endowment Campaign to build a new club to replace its aging 100-year-old building on Boys & Girls Club Street. Construction of the building began in November 2006 with an expected completion date later this year. The 23,500-square-foot facility at 55 Oxford Ave. in Dudley will feature a college-size gymnasium, state-of-the-art technology center, game room, arts and crafts room and more.

TRHS '58 reunion

STURBRIDGE - The Tantasqua Regional High School Class of 1958 is planning its 50th reunion. Contact information for the following classmates is needed: Leah Germain, Joyce Bernard, Karen Osterberg and Karl Young. If anyone knows the whereabouts of these classmates, call Joseph Craig at [phone].

New board for MOMS

DUDLEY - The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of Dudley recently elected new board members: Michelle L. Domey of Dudley, president; Thalia A. McClay of Dudley, vice president of administration; Theodora J. Guest-Civitenga of Webster, vice president of membership; Jennifer L. Braley of Dudley, treasurer; and Stacey A. Tucker of Webster, secretary.

The MOMS Club of Dudley serves the communities of Dudley and Webster and is a chapter of an international, nondenominational, nonprofit support group for at-home mothers.

For more information about the club, send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call Theo at [phone].

Bank lends a hand

OXFORD - Hometown Bank has made a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Webster-Dudley as part of that organization's annual Back-A-Kid Campaign.

Hometown's Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer Matthew S. Sosik recently presented Club Director Tony Poti with a check for $500.

"The Boys and Girls Club provides excellent resources for children growing up in the Webster-Dudley area," Mr. Sosik said. "Supporting the good work that they do is an investment in helping to build a better life for these kids."

Boys and Girls Club Director Tony Poti says contributions to the annual Back-a-Kid Campaign help fund the organization's after-school, summer and teen programs.

"What we try to do is provide kids with opportunities they might not otherwise have," he said.

School supplies needed

SOUTHBRIDGE - The Jacob Edwards Library and the Southbridge Inter-Faith Hospitality Network invite residents to donate new school supplies to children in Southbridge during the month of August.

Pencil boxes, knapsacks and are needed.

Lists of requested school supplies are available at the library. Drop off new items at the library for distribution by the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network to families in need. Donations will be accepted through Aug. 31 during regular library hours.

For more information, call the Inter-Faith Hospitality Network at [phone] or the Jacob Edwards Library at [phone].

Free screenings in lobby

OXFORD - Hometown Bank will kick off its new monthly event, "In the Lobby," on Aug. 23 and 24 with a free blood pressure screening provided by the nursing and community health departments from Hubbard Regional Hospital of Webster and Harrington Memorial Hospital of Southbridge.

Hours and locations are as follows:

From 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Oxford branch lobby, 31 Sutton Ave.

From 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 23 in the Sturbridge branch lobby, 331 Main St.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Webster branch lobby, 218 Main St.

Each month, Hometown Bank will offer some activity of interest or general benefit to customers.

Baby calf at the fair?

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Fair will debut a new exhibit featuring expectant cows in the hopes that a baby calf will be born during the Fair, over Labor Day weekend.

Seven Holstein cows are on loan from a local farm.

Birthing Center committee chairman Doug Child had the original idea for this about two years ago. He and committee members Charles Franklin, Diane Morin, Dr. Greg Hackett, Fern Phaneuf and Anne Lamondy have created the educational exhibit.

"The barnyard baby birthing center will be the first exhibit of its kind in New England. In addition to the expectant cows, we will have videos of other barnyard animals giving birth playing on a large screen TV. There will be stickers for the kids, educational signs and local farmers on hand to answer questions," Mr. Child said.

The birthing center will be under a tent in a grassy area south of the poultry and small animal barn. In the event of a night birth, students from Woodstock Academy will be on hand to video the birth so it can be shown when the fair reopens the next morning.

The Barnyard Baby Birthing Center project has been made possible through donations from Putnam Farmer Co-Op, Bousquet Appliance & TV, Tufts University Ambulatory Care Clinic of Woodstock and Woodstock Academy.

DKH Golf Classic

PUTNAM - The 23rd Annual Day Kimball Golf Classic, held July 16 at Tunxis Plantation Country Club in Farmington, Conn., raised more than $90,000. Two-hundred sixty-seven teams registered for the event, organized by 30 volunteers.

All proceeds will benefit the Maternal Child Health, Cardiology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and other areas of Day Kimball Hospital.

Committee members included Beth Altenbrand, Marc Bates, Tori Bates, Jay Byrnes, Tom Chenail, Mike Gaudreau, Greg Harubin, Robert Jacques, Dick Moore, Marie Morich, Alan Parsons and Bill Poirier. Volunteer directors were Dick Moore and Sean Brennan.

A partial listing of results is as follows:

White Course:

1st Gross: Jeff Rawson, Neil Bernier, Mike Levesque and John Eklund.

2nd Gross: Roger Noll, Jeff Oberle, Jake Matot and Pat Kozelka.

3rd Gross: Bob Jacques, Dan Rovero, Brian Bardier and Rich Messer.

1st Net: Paul Monahan, Mike Knowles, Tom Chenail and Greg Harubin.

2nd Net: Fran Baranski, Ron Battista, Carl Welshman and Jim Mortimer.

3rd Net: Carlton Lindgren, Robin Bouvier, Steve Ribeiro and Cliff Long.

Green Course:

1st Gross: Bill Karanian, Bob Petry, David Neal and Steve Doherty.

2nd Gross: Kevin Plouffe, Jeff Mouris, Chuck Cartelli and Stam Rizanis.

3rd Gross: Mike MacDonald, Tom Sheard, Tom Army and Christopher Payette.

1st Net: Peter Olshewski, Scott Jurnovoy, Mark Criscuolo and Eric Hedman.

2nd Net: Dave Conrad, Terry Niles, Graham Niles and Chick Pritchard.

3rd Net: Doug Valentine, Peter Deary, Peter LeClair and Mike Denis.

2007 Closest to the Heart Award: Alan Parsons.

2007 Volunteer Service Award: Richard Moore.

Births at Harrington

The following births were recorded recently at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge:

To Angela and Mark Franco of Webster, boy named Tristan C. Franco. Grandparents are Sharon and Alan Dube and Pamela and David Utakis.

To Vanessa Cloutier and Gerry Gaumond of New Braintree, a girl named Madeleine M. Gaumond. Grandparents are Kevin and Christine Cloutier and Normand and Madeleine Gaumond.

To Jennifer Tretheway and Anthony Dembinski of Webster, a boy named Jack Dembinski. Grandparents are MaryEllen Fantaroni, Edward Tretheway and Sharon and John Dembinski.

To Kristen Reed of Southbridge, a girl named Ayla M. Reed.

Roseland Park report

WOODSTOCK - Roseland Park volunteers recently wrapped up their third "Saturday in the Park" cleanup event, held July 28. Participants raked and put the debris in piles between the rhododendrons to compost, which will provide rich black mulch full of nutrients to top dress the plants.

Thanks are extended to Hull Forest Products for donating playground mulch, which was spread on the play area by the caretakers.

A Mutt Mitt Dispenser was also added for people who walk their dogs in the park. The dispenser box is located at the big sign near the barn.

After several hours of hard work, volunteers were treated to snacks and drinks at noon. The MOMS Club provided deviled eggs, cookies, lemonade and ice tea.

The group meets at the park every other Saturday. The next volunteer day will be Aug. 11.

Volunteers are welcome. For details, call Woodstock Area Garden Club President Rita Choiniere at [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Granges meet

DUDLEY - Six state grange associations met at Nichols College recently, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. A final event called "New England Night" was held in the auditorium on Aug. 7 to a rousing chorus of state songs, a magic show, and talent contest. Next year, the Maine State Grange will host the event.

Items for Neighbors or Class Acts may be sent to: Heritage T&G, 269 Main St., Webster, MA 01570, e-mailed to [e-mail], or faxed to [phone].

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) MANCHESTER, N.H. - Robin Seifert, executive assistant to the Webster Superintendent of Schools and the Webster School Committee, attended an invitation-only after-party for Hillary Clinton on July 13 at the Puritan Restaurant in Manchester. Pictured, from left: Bill Clinton; Ms. Seifert; Sharon Bateman of Hempstead, N.H.; and Hillary Clinton. (2) OXFORD -Michael Noonan of Oxford, center, a clerk in Stow Post Office, was recently presented with plaques commemorating his heroic actions while serving as a Marine in Iraq. Stow Postmaster Edward W. France, left, and Massachusetts Postal District Manager John W. "Mike" Powers III presented Mr. Noonan with an "Honoring Those Who Serve" stamp plaque and an "Our American Hero" plaque. Mr. Noonan received the Bronze Star for disabling land mines in Iraq. (3) DUDLEY - The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of Dudley recently enjoyed a tour of the Dudley Fire Department, led by Captain David Konieczny. The children were offered an up-close look at a fire truck and ambulance and saw a fire prevention film at the station. (4) HOLLAND - Patricia A. Dillon, right, officer-in-charge of Fiskdale Post Office, presented Holland Town Treasurer Linda Blodgett with a framed stamp plaque featuring the new "Star Wars" commemorative postage stamps in appreciation of Ms. Blodgett's running the Contract Postal Unit for the last 15 years. A recognition ceremony was held July 12 in Holland Town Hall. (5) Richard Moore of Putnam Savings Bank, center, was presented with the Volunteer Service Award by Robert E. Smanik, president and CEO of Day Kimball Hospital, and Tori Bates, the hospital's interim director for philanthropy, at the 23rd Annual Golf Classic. (6) Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Tony Poti, President John Lefebvre and Assistant Treasurer Patrick Lefebvre accept a check for $50,000 from Hometown Bank President and CEO Matthew Sosik and Community Reinvestment Director Don Claprood.