Locally owned and operated since 1974
Your community. Your news. Your paper. Vol. 50 | No. 18 | May 3, 2024
Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
1974 - 20
24
FREE
Shrewsbury Little League marks Opening Day with parade By Evan Walsh Reporter
Town Meeting purchases Whitney St. property, approves MBTA zoning Northborough| 10
’s Mother’s Day y VFW post reaffirms its commitment to reopening
SHREWSBURY – Baseball and softball are back, and Little League ballplayers couldn’t be happier. On April 26, ballplayers returned to the field to celebrate Opening Day, parading with their teammates throughout Dean Park. After an early spring full of rain and snow, the park’s main field was back in business: The grass was freshly cut, the foul lines were pristine, and the basepaths were recently raked. “We’ve been doing [the parade] for a few years now, and I think we’ve found the right recipe for it. Not to say that we always repeat – we always tweak things to make it better — but I think we’ve pulled together a good, solid event to start the season,” Shrewsbury Little League President Michael DiPiazza said. Starting at the upper softball fields, Little League players walked down to the parking lot, into the outfield and lined up around the infield. Players — some toting gloves and balls —held signs to represent their team’s sponsor and danced along to the likes of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and John Fogerty’s “Centerfield.” Though the Shrewsbury Little League organized the event, it took the whole community to pull it off. The Shrewsbury Police Department and Shrewsbury Fire Department helped facilitate the parade, Duke’s Collectibles enticed eager collectors, Smiles Four Balloons provided decorations,
Page 12
and Creedon & Co., Inc. employees distributed food to event attendees. “I remember playing Little League and I remember the parade. I remember the excitement of all of that. I think we’re trying to recreate what we all remember at Little League from when we were kids. I’d say I certainly remember certain games or certain situations, but I definitely remember the parade and Opening Day — just the excitement of all of it. We hope Little League | 16
westborough| 17
Gift Guide
Little League players paraded through Dean Park during Opening Day celebrations on April 26. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Work on community center moves forward as project manager named By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The first steps to convert 1500 Union St. into a community center are underway. The Select Board awarded the bid for owner’s project manager to CHA Consulting during its meeting on April 9.
Town Manager Kristi Williams said CHA has a good track record with building senior centers in the area, including in Franklin and Randolph. She added that the senior center and the Recreation Department have been meeting with other town departments to discuss technical needs and other details prior to moving into the center. Community center | 6