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Marlborough cable station plugs into new programs
Progress continues on new Wemmy’s Kitchen & Lounge
Marlborough | 13
marlborough | 12
Four generations celebrate 101st birthday
hudson happ’nings rimkus | 6
Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Vol. 50 | No. 12 | March 22, 2024
Hudson resident creates solo show ‘Ladies at a Gay Girls’ Bar’
After renovation, Marlborough library seeks feedback for strategic plan
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – Six months after moving back to Main Street, the Marlborough Public Library continues to build. According to Director Sara Belisle, the library has attracted more visitors, more library cards have been issued and more programs have been offered. “It’s been pretty great, overwhelmingly positive,” said Belisle. “We’ve had a big wave of new visitors; we’ve had an average of 350 residents per month come to the library.” She added that during February school vacation, the library welcomed 1,000 visitors in one day. Library staffing will be bolstered now that the city has approved two new positions – head of adult services and technology, and programming and outreach librarian – and the pay for pages has been raised to $15 per hour. What’s next, according to Belisle, is a strategic plan. Surveys will be going out, in print and online, this spring. Building update Most of the projects in and around the library have been completed. The local history room opened to the public on March 5; the current exhibit, from the Marlborough Historical Society, focuses on the city’s role in the shoe industry. The community room has also opened; it has already hosted several events, including a Library | 4
HUDSON – Maggie Cee got the performing bug at a young age. Cee, who has been a resident of Hudson for about three years, said she grew up in a “one traffic light town” in Connecticut. She has had a lifelong love of performing. “I was a little girl who loved ballet, tutus and sparkles, and spent a lot of time forcing my sibling and our friends to perform in shows I created,” she said. Cee was hooked after the first time she went on stage for a ballet recital when she was eight. While that is a “common experience” for some children, as she grew older she was drawn to dance, writing and expression. Cee channeled her creativity into ballet and modern dance training. And, every time she thought about taking a different path, “I was drawn back to dance and performing,” she said. She performed her solo show, “Ladies at a
Solo show | 5
Cee performs her solo show “Ladies at a Gay Girls’ Bar, 1938-1969.” (Photo by Olivia Blaidsell)
Bus contract approved by School Committee By Sarah Freedman, Contributing Writer HUDSON – The School Committee has voted to approve a transportation contract with First Student. The contract will be for three years with the option to renew twice after that point. It will be in effect from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029, should the Hudson Public
Schools exercise the two one-year renewals. First Student was the low bidder with a bid of $2,421,890, which is a 51% increase over the rates in fiscal year 2024. The final price per bus will be $543.45, which is also a 51% increase from the $357.78 per bus rate in 2024. According to Director of Finance and Operations Dan Gale, they have Contract | 15
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