Last wave for Woody

Sandra's father, Woody MacGregor, passed away this afternoon at his home on Prince Edward Island. His wife, Marian, daughter, Barbara, and grandson, Tim, were with him.
Details about services on the Island and back here in the States are still pending. I'll post them when they're available.
Woody was 91.
We'll have to clean our own headlights now.

Hundreds killed in oil spill

BBC News - DR Congo oil tanker blaze 'kills 220'



Oh, it's in Africa?



Nevermind, ...


Nevermind ....

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 22 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, June 21

8:16 a.m. Caller reports car missing; informed it was repossessed
8:17 a.m. Wood removed from roadway on Main St.
8:42 a.m. Caller about private investigator working in town; advised he has checked in
12:58 p.m. Mail carrier reports strange car on Meadowwood Dr.; party known to police
5:51 p.m. Lost keys at grocery store
10:06 p.m. Motor vehicle left gas station without paying; party out of Rutland contacted and said they will come back to gas station

Tuesday, June 22

2:04 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle beside road on Manning St.
8:33 a.m. Missing cat reported
11:41 a.m. Refrigerator outside with door attached; could be dangerous
2:11 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at Rail Trail; party just stays in vehicle
4:41 p.m. 911 Baby asleep in car at supermarket, no one around
9:51 p.m. 911 Caller from Worcester requesting police; transferred to Worcester

Wednesday, June 23

3:46 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle driving through Cedar Rd. neighborhood, shining flashlights on vehicles
11:42 a.m. Dead skunk in the middle of the road
11:59 a.m. No trespass order issued
12:05 p.m. Nola Drive resident reports vehicle with loud muffler
12:30 p.m. Corgi found
12:54 p.m. Report of illegal use of Dumpster on Scott Terrace
12:58 p.m. Caller asking if wood chips can be removed from area
1:29 p.m. Request for well-being check on children out of school since Memorial Day; children taken out for home schooling; appear to be ok
2:07 p.m. Caller concerned about dog locked in vehicle with muzzle, can’t pant; dog fine, windows down enough
3:45 p.m. Caller about Asian longhorned beetle found; given USDA contact number
4:28 p.m. Solicitor in area of Birchwood Dr.
6:37 p.m. Three juveniles removed from Gazebo on Main St.
8:08 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on access road to water tower
9:28 p.m. Juveniles on Rte. 31 fishing on bridge and whipping their poles at passing cars

Thursday, June 24

1:37 a.m. Caller reporting large party on General Hobbs Rd.; party investigated
9:03 a.m. Stump grinder and trailer blocking one lane of traffic on Shrewsbury St.
9:37 a.m. Caller asking to retrieve confiscated plates; advised they were returned to RMV
12:11 p.m. Well-being check on individual sitting under tree for hours at library
3:58 p.m. Vehicle lockout on Reservoir St.
5:06 p.m. 911 Suspicious vehicle on Reservoir St.
8:11 p.m. 911 Business owner reports argument between patrons
9:39 p.m. Caller heard loud noise on Ottoson Way, possibly shotgun, coming from near Mountview Dr.
10:27 p.m. Pumping station light flashing

Friday, June 24

2:28 a.m. Cab company reports juveniles who do not have money to pay driver
8:47 a.m. Pedestrian barrels hit on Highland St.
9:39 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Main St.
11:04 a.m. Report of loose pitbull/rottwieller
3:28 p.m. Caller reports tree in back yard looks like it’s going to come down
3:40 p.m. Report of person sticking head into motor vehicle at St. Mary’s Church
6:13 p.m. 911 Malden St. resident says she can hear 4-5 teens throwing rocks near empty residence; ok, trying to remove bee nest
7:16 p.m. 911 Two-year-old locked in house with keys inside on Britney Dr.

Saturday, June 25

2:11 a.m. Suspicious party at light department
2:57 a.m. Several suspicious persons near bridge on Princeton St.
8:52 a.m. Solicitors from window company will be in Western States area today
10:40 a.m. 911 Test call from Johnson St. resident
11:46 a.m. 911 Motor vehicle lockout on Main St.
1:18 p.m. Caller regarding individual removed from home in Worcester; left cat
1:22 p.m. Firearm surrendered
5:30 p.m. 911 Caller reports phone “jammed up,” doesn’t need police or medical help
9:22 p.m. Suspicious vehicle behind business after closing; ok, picking up employees
9:41 p.m. 911 Loud gunshot/bang heard near Parker Ave.

Sunday, June 27

1:15 a.m. Loud party on Heather Circ.; advised to keep quiet
9:30 a.m. Dead porcupine in middle of Paxton Rd.
9:36 a.m. Dog found in Princeton on Ball Hill Rd.
2:43 p.m. Dumping grass and trash on Nelson St. reported
4:14 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout on Mayo Dr.
5:44 p.m. Caller may have lost keys on Rail Trail
6:15 p.m. Skunk problem
7:22 p.m. Lockout of apartment
7:29 p.m. Dead porcupine on Paxton Rd.

8:51 p.m. Dog barking excessively on Shrewsbury St.
9:13 p.m. Report of four coyotes on Salisbury St.

9:36 p.m. Slipper Hill Lane resident reports someone shot fireworks at house
10:05 p.m. Youths dispersed from Mountview School

Paxton

Monday, June 21

6:23 p.m. Alarm activation, ATM machine, police find it was due to training, Sunset Lane

Tuesday, June 22

8:00 a.m. Loose dog in yard, annoying homeowners dog, Rolling Ridge Lane
8:05 a.m. Bull Mastiff running around neighborhood, Howard St.
9:33 a.m. Loose dog in area growling at female and her kids, Wilde Wood Dr.
12:31 p.m. Disturbance, family member won’t leave residence, Pine Acre
12:36 p.m. Suspicious unoccupied vehicle parked in area of old pool, West St.
9:34 p.m. Ring and run, Lincoln Circle

Wednesday, June 23

7:45 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on the street for two days, Cutler Rd.
12:36 p.m. Vehicle parked in pool area, West St.
1:23 p.m. Suspicious black vehicle parked on street for a few days, Cutler Rd.

Thursday, June 24

7:45 a.m. Cemetery commissioner reports damage to gravestones, Richards Ave. Found to be stone that was overturned for over a year
12:14 p.m. Report of two young females on the roof of the school, West St.

Friday, June 25

2:01 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of Pleasant St.
7:16 p.m. Several calls about gunshots in area of Howard St. & Dunanderry Way
9:15 p.m. Person requesting help getting bat out of home, Pond St.
9:58 p.m. Dog barking for long time, Center Dr.

Sunday, June 27

12:38 a.m. Police transport person to station as the result of a vehicle stop, Brooks Rd. Vehicle uninsured, revoked registration, unregistered
10:49 a.m. Loose dog, West St.

Princeton

Monday, June 21

10:48 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with male occupant parked beside road, Calamint Hill Rd. North

4:58 p.m. Alarm activated, person working on air conditioners, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, June 22

12:52 p.m. Person from Whitaker Lane reports what sounded like a siren going off several times in area of Coal Kiln and Sterling Roads
4:28 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Worcester Rd.
9:52 p.m. Lights flashing on backhoe, East Princeton Rd., Police turn off lights

Wednesday, June 23

8:33 p.m. Black Labrador running in road, Boylston Ave.

Thursday, June 24

1:24 a.m. Assist Holden Police with large party, General Hobbs Rd.

4:17 p.m. Police remove branches from Worcester Road
7:15 p.m. Police assist animal control officer with past due dog licenses, town wide
10:50 p.m. Police check on suspicious vehicle in parking lot on Mountain Rd.

Friday, June 25

4:43 p.m. Public service, notify resident of expired dog tag, Calamint Hill Rd. N and Beaman Rd.
8:50 p.m. Caller found Australian Shepherd dog, Ball Hill Rd.
9:00 p.m. Person locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
11:30 p.m. Police check on vehicle at state reservation, Mountain Rd.

Saturday, June 26

5:50 a.m. Loose horse on Boylston Ave, going up Mountain Rd. Owner responding
9:18 a.m. Police assist individuals having a dispute over a dog, Ball Hill Rd.
1:47 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Hubbardston Rd.

Sunday, June 27

1:05 a.m. Suspicious male with back pack walking on Rte. 140 North
8:57 a.m. Dog walking on Rte. 140
3:18 p.m. Medium-size dog running in and out of traffic, Main St.

Rutland

Monday, June 21

8:50 a.m. Missing gray tiger cat, River Rd.
3:04 p.m. Traffic safety, Oakham line

Tuesday, June 22

7:56 a.m. Caller reports it sounds like someone is getting murdered in woods near his home, Bushy Ln.
11:37 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
4:07 p.m. Caller requesting ACO for bat in the house, Wildbrook Rd.
4:43 p.m. Pit bull type dog, loose on Prouty Ln.

Wednesday, June 23

8:06 a.m. Caller reporting small animal, possibly deer, lying in cul de sac, Lantern Ln.
9:00 a.m. Stray orange cat, Kosta Ave.
10:43 a.m. Suspicious person claiming to be from Assessors’ Office, Main St.
1:05 p.m. Walk-in complaining about dogs barking all night, Forest Hill Dr.

Thursday, June 24

3:11 p.m. Coyote in yard, Cheryl Ann Dr.

Friday, June 25

2:21 a.m. Cell phone caller reporting he hit a deer, East County Rd.
2:21 a.m. Notify Mass Highway of deceased cat between Ten Rod Rd and Watson Ave.
9:31 p.m. Loose cow, Pommogussett Rd.
11:30 a.m. Debit/credit card found, Main St. parking lot. Returned to owner
4:22 p.m. Large gathering of kids by rope swing at Brigham Pond
7:42 p.m. Caller requesting ACO, Forest Hill Dr.

Saturday, June 26

8:27 a.m. Door to door salesman in the region of Central Tree Estates, Ten Rod Rd, Watson Ave., center of town selling educational books/software.
9:18 a.m. Fox killing chickens, River Rd.
10:33 a.m. Stray dog on porch, near Princeton line.
5:29 p.m. Stray dog, Jackson Ave.
9:15 p.m. Report of professional type fireworks being set off on Cedar Ave.

Sunday, June 27

1:53 p.m. No trespass order delivered to female party, Main St.
5:26 p.m. Caller reporting group of youths heading down trail to empty lot, Wildbrook Dr.
10:19 p.m. General disturbance, Main St. Youths throwing trash

Sterling

Monday, June 21

1:07 a.m. Motorist reports man in blinking vest stopping traffic on Main St.
1:17 a.m. Male walking into traffic, now sitting on park bench, blinking vest now turned off
8:45 a.m. Female carrying gas can walking on Redemption Rock Trl.
8:55 a.m. Cow ear registration verification, Chace Hill Rd.
10:35 a.m. Lost cat, black and white, Boutelle Rd.
3:45 p.m. Person came to station to retrieve a firearm that was seized, Leominster Rd.
7:05 p.m. Caller reports male trying to make entry into home on Princeton Rd. Caller said man worked for the census bureau
8:36 p.m. Suspicious male going door to door, Flanagan Hill Rd.

Tuesday, June 22

11:58 a.m. Dead possum on property on Pine St.
5:34 p.m. Dog, possibly elderly or ill, walking in roadway, Bean Rd. & Boutelle Rd.

Thursday, June 24

12:03 a.m. Person walking, attempt to identify person, Leominster Rd.

Friday, June 25

10:32 a.m. Suspicious males in vehicle and walking around buildings on Waushacum Ave.
4:25 p.m. Caller has raccoon in trap, wants animal control officer, Redstone Hill Rd.
10:09 p.m. Suspicious activity, police out with two individuals, White Oak Way

Sunday, June 27

8:51 p.m. Suspicious activity, garage door to home is secured, Still River Rd.

A vast nation with a half-vast citizenry

As we mark the nation's bold, brilliant, and brave declaration of independence, let us also remember that one in four of us don't know or don't care that we declared our independence from Great Britain. According to a Marist Poll released today, 26% of you/us weren't sure or thought that we separated from some other country. In the south, a bit more than two-thirds knew that the message delivered to the American people had something to do with those Brits back home.
By the way, if you want to be among those huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, and earn your citizenship by a test, you'll have to study this stuff and answer at least six of 10 civics questions correctly. In case you need some help, here are the items related to this holiday:

via Civics study guide on USCIS - Study Materials for the Naturalization Test

Worcester's non-story

While Ghana and Uruguay prepare for today's quarter-final match in the World Cup, I can only imagine the excitement in Worcester's Ghanaian community. I can only imagine because I'm out here in the provinces and can't check for myself. Worcester's daily newspaper has nothing to say about it.

via Telegram.com - A product of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

A summer night in Jaffrey

We took a ride last night to pick up some groceries at Market Basket in Rindge. (No, we didn't go there to avoid the sales tax. MB is the best supermarket in the area and Rindge is not that much farther than a drive to lesser stores.) In a "while we're here" thought, we continued up the road to Jaffrey, for a visit to Kimball's and a quick look around town.
My mother grew up on a dairy farm in Jaffrey, a short distance from town on the road to Peterborough. Jurva's Dairy had the highest butterfat content of any milk in the area. When grandfather's health declined in the early 50s, they sold the farm and moved to St. Albans, Vermont to live with my aunt's family. My cousins grew up in town. My oldest cousin has one of the glass milk bottles from the farm.
As we passed the D.D Bean match factory, the road takes a slight bend to the left. The road, the river, the hill, the sight of all of them knocked the breath from me for a moment, taking me to when the world was black and white, when there were places that were warm and safe and simple. We were still a ways from the farm, but the fabric of space-time bent with the road and let me look and feel and smell what was then.
We took the turn onto Old Sharon Road and crossed the long-gone railroad bed. Stories have it that when my grandmother had had enough of farm life, or of my grandfather, she'd put on her coat, grab her suitcase, and walk down the hill to catch the train that ran from Peterborough to Worcester.
The new people who own the property operate it as a working farm and farm stand, Coll's Farm. The family has long connections to Jaffrey.They've always been kind and respectful when we've invoked our law of return and wandered the grounds.
When we got to the farm, I looked around to try to remember where the barn had been and could only guess. The older kids have a better sense of the farm. I remember the barn and being up in the hayloft. I remember better the view across the valley, to the farms on the other hillside. My cousins may remember the names of the people who owned those farms. I'll have to ask them.  I haven't been in touch in quite a while.

It's been so cold that ...

Not only did they have snow on Mount Washington,

via Weather Underground Weather Summary

but our Christmas cactus has started to bloom.

Phillipston RFD

A few weeks ago, we put up a mailbox at the end of the camp road. We, for varying values of we, didn't secure as tightly as was needed. After a couple of weeks of delivery, the box started to come loose from the post. Our mail carrier left us a nice note, requesting that we make sure that box was firmly attached.
Armed with a power drill, 3" screws, a couple of manual screwdrivers, and a hammer for additional persuasion, we made sure that the box is not going anywhere that the post is not going.
The next day, we receive a nice note.

Best. Idea. Yet.

How about if we start a fund-raiser to make sure that every Tea-Partier who wants to put out to sea can do so.

Join your faithful like-minded partners at The WND Tea Party at Sea this September 19th - 26th as we sharpen and edify one another during 7 incredible days in the Eastern Caribbean

via 2010 WND Tea Party At Sea Cruise

Of course, our scholarships would only cover a one-way trip.
Then, again, a mighty wind might rise up and settle it all. Peak hurricane season for the eastern Caribbean is in September.

via Tropical Cyclone Climatology

Toward a kinder, gentler workforce

Saw this job listing recently:

via Job Opportunity: Lead Nurturing Specialist
The job description calls for someone who can, well, lead "analytical conception, layout and execution of custom activity nurturing campaigns."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes the word nurture in three job descriptions, that of Child Care Workers, Educational Services, and Teachers—Preschool, Except Special Education. Salary.com comes up empty with titles containing the word nurturing.
So, for a while, it'll be work as usual, with few to nurture us as we try to spot a psychopath at work.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, June 14

8:29 a.m. Large hawk sitting on caller’s deck for 12-15 hours has not moved; given number for Environmental Protection office
9:51 a.m. Big Y reports problem person returned and refuses to leave. Advised to leave premises and not return
10:01 a.m. Call from office elevator; no one on other line, all appears in order
3:39 p.m. Caller reports cat stuck in tree; advised to leave food at base
4:13 p.m. Fox or coyote in front yard will not leave; OK, ran into woods

Tuesday, June 15

7:34 a.m. Caller requesting info on purchasing BB gun
9:18 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Bullard St.
10:06 a.m. Caller concerned about home invasion in area two weeks ago; assured it was isolated
11:18 a.m. Boat traveling on reservoir; OK, cleared with water security
1:19 p.m. Unit checking on individual walking on Rt. 31 S; advised to pull pants up
2:08 p.m. Dunkin’ Donuts advises of raccoon in area, Main St.; negative contact with animal
4:45 p.m. Motor vehicle struck deer, may need to be put down; bystander put deer in a blanket and took to Tufts
8:04 p.m. Raccoon growled at caller and husband, now outside looking for it with his gun. Wife advised to have husband go back inside; unit en route
8:37 p.m. Group of juveniles smoking on driveway behind HMLD, Holden St.

Wednesday, June 16

11:16 a.m. Red fox running around in Holden St. area
3:01 p.m. Caller attacked by hawk
3:35 p.m. Trailer truck stuck under railroad bridge causing traffic back up
5:08 p.m. Three females jumped in front of motor vehicle, Walnut St.
8:03 p.m. Couple in heated discussion walking on Main St.; units advised
11:21 p.m. Caller worried that truck is casing neighbors’ house; OK, ambulance responding to call

Thursday, June 17

6:33 a.m. Window broken, Bullard St.; caller would like police to investigate, window too small for person to fit through.
7:58 p.m. Child did not return home from school today, same thing happened before
8:30 p.m. Dog barking in back yard for 1.5 hours
9:59 p.m. Baby deer in road, appears not injured, Salisbury St; deer struck by car and ran into woods
11:06 p.m. Youths rang door bell, then ran off

Friday, June 18

4:21 a.m. Skunk near Friendly’s with cup on head, Main St.
6:23 a.m. Elderly male appeared to be lost and tired, taken to police station to rest
1:09 p.m. Princeton caller’s daughter had gone missing from Wachusett High School yesterday and was found soon after. Wanted to make sure the PD was not still looking for her
5:19 p.m. Cat stuck in a tree, John Alden Rd. Advised to put food at base and wait. Caller says she leaves tomorrow for vacation and needs cat down by then. Advised to call fire dept.
9:55 p.m. Caller’s neighbors not taking care of their pool; loud frogs moved in that keep her and her husband awake at night. Advised to call health agent Monday morning.

Saturday, June 19

8:35 a.m. Cars parked on both sides of the road, going to yard sales; sellers advised to keep cars on one side or will be shut down
10:46 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Main St.; OK, man left wife in car to visit yard sale up the road
7:09 p.m. Male driver of white truck screaming at female pedestrian, Bullard St.
9:53 p.m. Teenagers spraying silly string on cars near Friendly’s, Main St.
10:07 p.m. Female walking north on Wachusett St. near Goodhiles with beer in hand

Sunday, June 20

10:11 a.m. Caller heard voices behind her home previous night around 9 p.m. Found Dunkin’ Donuts bags and coffees in yard this morning
6:20 p.m. Nuisance dog loose all the time, barking at birds in caller’s yard and startled elderly mother, Kendall Rd.

Paxton

Monday, June 14

7:58 p.m. Suspicious male left vehicle and headed toward center of town, Pleasant St.

Tuesday, June 15

9:12 a.m. Large snake in caller’s driveway, Pleasant St.
2:18 p.m. Caller reports man with tape measure walking around her property. Assessor employee, Black Hill Rd.
3:11 p.m. Vehicle parked near Illigs Pond
6:50 p.m. Object thrown at jogger, Grove/Maple Sts.

Wednesday, June 16

11:45 p.m. Youth lying in roadway, may have fallen off bicycle; got up and rode
toward Grove St.

Friday, June 18

9:59 a.m. Caller wants to speak with animal control officer about neighbor’s cats, Orchard Dr.
5:36 p.m. Caller says a wolf-fox is in her back yard, Suomi St.
7:30 p.m. Caller reports low voltage in his home, Maj. Moore Cir,
9:25 p.m. Dead deer in road, Reservoir Rd.

Saturday, June 19

10:02 a.m. Loose boxer dog in yard of home, Grove St.
11:44 p.m. Back yard fire growing, sparks flying, Tanglewood Rd.

Sunday, June 20

12:23 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at end of driveway, Boynton Park/Mower St.
12:26 a.m. Smoke from back yard fire bothering neighbor, wants fire put out, Tanglewood Rd.
1:00 p.m. Group of kids hanging around house and causing disturbance, Arrowhead Dr.

Princeton

Monday, June 14

8:27 a.m. Resident requests police presence when she tells chimney company she doesn’t want their services, Leominster Rd.
5:13 p.m. Golden retriever sleeping in back yardof home, Hubbardston Rd.
5:32 p.m. Suspicious male with backpack carrying clip board at home, Houghton Rd. Collecting signatures for Environmental Massachusetts
10:00 p.m. Police transport person to home, Beaman Rd.

Tuesday, June 15

2:44 p.m. Loose horse in driveway near school, Sterling Rd.
5:23 p.m. Vehicle partially obstructing driveway, Hubbardston Rd. Parking ticket issued

Wednesday, June 16

8:19 a.m. Dog has something cornered and is barking behind barn, Gleason Rd. Dog bit another dog
12:46 p.m. Skateboarders coming down Mountain Road being followed closely by a vehicle. Police speak to both individuals
5:38 p.m. Caller wants advice about baby skunks living in her yard, Ball Hill Rd.
9:40 p.m. Bear lying in driveway, Calamint Hill
Rd. N 10:03 p.m. Bear lying in driveway, caller concerned it may be injured, Calamint Hill Rd. N

Friday, June 18

11:28 a.m. Police attempt to catch terrier-type dog running in roadway, Rte. 140 N
11:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in yard, Hobbs Rd.
1:16 p.m. Small Yorkie-type dog running in and out of traffic, Rte. 140 N
4:40 p.m. Caller reports someone going door-todoor selling windows, Ralph Rd.
6:24 p.m. Suspicious male at door of home two days in a row, Lyons Rd.
7:10 p.m. Gun shots, Hubbardston Rd.
9:25 p.m. Vehicle locked behind gate, Mountain Rd.
9:40 p.m. Dog bite, Town Hall Dr.
9:55 p.m. Caller reports loud noise from nearby home, Rte. 140 N

Saturday, June 19

12:32 a.m. Limping dog, Sterling Rd.
11:33 a.m. Police set up radar patrol, Hubbardston Rd.
4:22 p.m. Radar patrol, Hubbardston Rd.
5:05 p.m. Police set up radar patrol, Mountain Rd.
6:40 p.m. Police set up radar patrol, Leominster Rd.
9:28 p.m. Caller reports children setting off fireworks in street, Worcester/Stagecoach Rds.
9:40 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Houghton Rd.

Sunday, June 20

1:32 a.m. Police transport individual to station, Town Hall Dr.
2:01 a.m. Police transport individual to home in Holden, Main
St. 8:58 a.m. Possible rabid fox moving in zigzag pattern, Rte. 62
12:10 p.m. Cruiser flagged down by female, referred to Fitchburg PD
3:22 p.m. Dog struck by vehicle, Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, June 14

9:09 a.m. Loose dog running in E. County Rd.
12:10 p.m. Person outraged that someone has set up a sidewalk table with photo of Obama with a Hitler mustache, Maple Ave.
12:25 p.m. Caller complaining about home where trash is spilling out of garage and rats are around, Prescott St./Blueberry Ln.

Tuesday, June 15

5:04 p.m. Caller concerned that children aren’t using center crosswalk, Main St.

Wednesday, June 16

12:34 a.m. Complaint about neighbor’s dog, Orchard Hill Dr.
11:35 a.m. Two loose dogs, Pommogussett/East County Rds.

Thursday, June 17

8:50 a.m. Male selling educational books in town, E. County Rd.
8:54 a.m. Caller reports losing a Burmese mountain dog, Wendover Rd.
9:38 a.m. Suspicious red truck, Turkey Hill Rd./Irish Ln.
9:45 a.m. Large bat in attic, E. County Rd.
10:48 a.m. Caller says his house shakes the same time of day several times a week, Blueberry Ln.

Friday, June 18

6:51 a.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Irish Ln.
9:03 a.m. Caller wants to file complaint against DPW and selectmen regarding property issue, Turkey Hill Rd.
1:54 p.m. Loose dog secured in back yard of home, East County Rd.
2:03 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at home, Crawford Rd.
3:54 p.m. Summons served at station, Main St.
4:20 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Inwood Rd.
5:04 p.m. Two loose dogs, Hickory Dr.

Saturday, June 19

12:48 p.m. Missing cat, Rebecca Ann Dr. Later returned
1:38 p.m. Caller hit dog that ran off, vehicle damaged, Pleasantdale Rd. Dog found and taken to vet
3:03 p.m. Two dogs running in the middle of Rte. 68
7:01 p.m. Two stray dogs killed two chickens, in yard, Pommogussett Rd.

Sunday, June 20

12:17 a.m. Four-wheeler going up and down E. Hill Rd.
11:42 p.m. Call about barking dog, Forest Hill Dr.

Sterling

Monday, June 14

10:15 a.m. Animal control officer attempted to speak with owner of loose horses, Kendall Hill Rd.
12:52 p.m. Several foxes in caller’s yard, Tanglewood Rd.
1:49 p.m. Person trying to reach animal control officer regarding old horse in stall that won’t get up, Squareshire Rd.
9:06 p.m. Male dancing on roof of car, very loud music, Main St.

Tuesday, June 15

8:43 a.m. Accident, car vs. deer, animal went into woods, damage to vehicle, Redemption Rock Trl./ Juniper Ln.
5:27 p.m. Caller threatened by German shepherd walking with woman, Redstone Hill Rd.
9:05 p.m. Fox hit and killed, Worcester Rd.
10:53 p.m. Caller requesting officer to help get pickup truck with two male occupants out of business parking lot, Rte. 140
11:23 p.m. Two youths walking behind police dept., Leominster Rd.

Wednesday, June 16

9:31 a.m. Gray cat missing since Friday, Chace Hill Rd.
10:26 a.m. Several attempts to serve restraining order, no one will answer door, Riverview Rd.
2:10 p.m. Group of teens drove by yelling obscenities at woman, has happened before,
Gates Rd.
2:41 p.m. Threats made by male driving flatbed truck, Pratts Jct. Rd.
3:08 p.m. Large, short-haired yellow dog walking down Meetinghouse Hill Rd.

Thursday, June 17

a.m. Missing Maine coon cat, Ivy Ln.
9:54 a.m. Stray large black cat, Worcester Rd.
11:10 a.m. Suspicious activity, screen to garage pushed out, Kendall Hill Rd.
10:47 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, left when dog barked, Wilder Rd.

Friday, June 18

12:11 a.m. People working outside home, lights on and hammering, Kitchener Rd.
12:12 a.m. Injured or dead deer on side of Legg Rd.
12:24 p.m. Suspicious white truck with two males, Rowley Hill Rd.
1:25 p.m. Suspicious white truck in driveway, Justice Hill Rd.
2:53 p.m. Two youths on raft, attempting to sink it, throwing each other off, Hall Ave.
4:06 p.m. Call regarding door-to-door solicitation, Country Club Rd.
5:56 p.m. Caller requests officer to check for trucks and motorcycles lingering in business lot, Redemption Rock Trl.
6:11 p.m. Person going door-to-door selling, rude to homeowner, Olde Parish Ln.
7:50 p.m. Three large dogs running near Meadowbrook Orchards pond

Saturday, June 19

7:35 p.m. Belligerent solicitor in neighborhood, swore at person, Laurelwood Rd.

Sunday, June 20

5:28 a.m. Male lying in road, stood up and waved when motorist went by, Trebor Ln./Newell Hill Rd. Transported to town line
10:45 a.m. Complaint about barking dogs, Princeton Rd.
10:48 a.m. Vandalism, car covered in blood, caller wants DNA kit brought to scene, Wilder Rd.

A gathering of the tribe

Originally posted in OntheCommon.com:

It's probably been more than 50 years since I walked down the grassy slope to the hall at Sovittaja Park in Rutland. I'd have gone with my parents and a grandparent or two. There were dances almost every Saturday night. Even by that time, however, the immigrant generation was getting old and didn't dance much. Their children, my parents, danced some and the younger ones, such as yours truly, didn't dance much at all.
Dancing, of course, was mostly an excuse for people to gather, to swap stories about the old country, exchange news, meet people. My parents met at one of the dances at Finn Park.
Yesterday, we joined in the celebration of Finnish Kaleidoscope 2010, I saw familiar faces and heard familiar names, even if I didn't know the people. We wandered around, inspecting the vendors tents on the outside, the exhibits inside the hall, and the simple elegances of the bare-wood dance hall and dining area. During the early coffee hour and then during lunch, a woman and a man provided a steady backbeat of accordion and euphonium music.
Within minutes, we were chatting away. If we didn't know the person, we quickly found that we were just a cousin or a classmate removed. Like those puzzles where you try to remember the matching pictures in each square, Sandra matched up a guy whose family name was Hautaniemi with a young man by the name of Niemi, the latter a shortened form of the former. We learned again how common it was for a family to take on the name of the farm where they worked or lived, just what had happened when my mother's father's family moved to a farm in northern Finland farm.
There wasn't a lot of Finnish spoken at Finn Park yesterday, just a few words here and there. We had our phrases at the ready, saying kiitos (thank you) and näkemiin (good bye), but that's all that we needed.
And then, the connections got closer. Barry and Katy Heiniluoma recently visited my aunt, Toini, my mother's sister, in Florida. The Heiniluoma family stayed with my grandparents in Worcester in the 1920s. Barry gave a presentation about their collection of Finnish wood carvings, pieces that were hauntingly similar to the carvings we have in the camp and sauna, hand-crafted pieces of art that might fetch a dollar or two at a flea market.
We heard about people, family and friends, from Gardner, Templeton, Hubbardston, Phillipston all of the Wachusett towns, and places far.
The lunch buffet brought us soup, salad, Sillisalaatti (Sill (Pickled Herring) Salad) or Punajuurisalaatti (Beet Salad),  sandwich, Suomalaiset Lihapyörykat (Finnish Meatballs), a side dish of Lanttulaatikko (Rutabaga Casserole) or Kermaperunat (Scalloped Potatoes), and dessert, Riisipuuro raparperikiisselillä (Rhubarb Soup over Rice Pudding).
After lunch, we wandered a bit more, including a quick trip to see the cottages along Finn Park Road. As we were leaving, I remembered the name of the family that I'd wanted to mention to Barry. These names of people and things, once so familiar, had slipped away from regular use, but came back with a bit of reflection.