Apple Country Living

Harvard Independence Day Parade

2010-07-22T09:08:37Z

Sudbury July 4th Parade (July 2009)
Independence Day (July 2008)
Sudbury July 4th Parade (July 2008)
Images: Harvard's July 4th Parade (July 2007)

Stow Elementary School Groundbreaking

2010-06-20T05:20:12Z

An important milestone in the Town of Stow was celebrated last Thursday at the groundbreaking ceremony for our town's elementary school. A project that has been decades in the making, the new school will be an addition and renovation to Center School which currently houses third through fifth grade. The new school will house all Pre-K through 5 students and abandon Pompositticut School. The project would not have been possible without the support of the Massachusetts School Building Authority support, which contributed $18M.

For the full gallery with 52 images, please visit Stow Elementary School Groundbreaking Gallery. All proceeds from sales of images will go to RECESS, the fundraising group aimed at defraying costs of the building for taxpayers.

2010 Nashoba Regional High Graduation

2010-06-15T03:26:16Z

Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not terribly cooperative this past weekend and the high school graduation was held indoors. It was still a lot of fun, just different, and harder to photograph. While there was plenty of joy and laughter, there was also sadness. Just a couple of months ago, senior Alex Doucette passed away on the track. The speeches all remembered him, and in a touching moment, his parents were given his diploma. Class President Brad Lewis added a fun twist to the normal speeches by donning green face paint and a kilt and treated everyone to William Wallace from Braveheart.

For the full gallery with 87 images, please visit 2010 NRHS Graduation.

Gymnastics Abuse Scandal First Verdict

2010-06-01T11:57:23Z

As reported in several news sources, on May 26, 2010, Steve Infante, close associate of Steve DiTullio from the former Five Star Gymnastics in Stow, now named 10.0 Academy, was found guilty of child rape and molestation charges and sentenced to 8-10 years in prison. See: Lowell Sun article from 5/26/10.

For those who do not know, this case unfolded in November 2007 here in Stow. The criminal allegations brought forth showed that there were very close ties between "the two Steves," including that several of the indecent assaults occurred in the Littleton home of Steve DiTullio. DiTullio was charged with perjury as a result of the investigation. However, there were some disturbing allegations concerning DiTullio, and additional well-documented incidents involving children, all of which were reported in the press.

These "two Steves" ran a summer camp together for many years out in Springfield which several Stow children were required to attend. At one of them, from just a few years ago, photographs circulated the Internet at the time of the scandal, showing DiTullio handcuffing a teenage girl; images which were supplied to the Middlesex District Attorney. Additionally, it is public knowledge that DiTullio also tapped several girls mouths in the gym in Stow back in 2007 in an apparent display of discipline.

Parents should know that while Five Star Gymnastics had its name changed to 10.0 Academy a few months after the scandal broke, it may have been not that much more than a public relations move. Steve DiTullio was sole owner of Five Star Gymnastics at the time the scandal broke. The company has done business as "The Gym Nest, Inc." since 1980, despite whatever name is on the gym; and appeared prominently in the Infante trial. Public records show that the business is now owned by Steve's wife Suzie DiTullio.

Parents also should make sure the gym is standing by its 2007 statement that DiTullio "has removed himself from his coaching position and will not be present in any capacity".

Five Star Gymnastics Renamed to 10.0 Academy (2/8/2008)
Explanation for Pictures Emerges (11/30/2007)
The Role of the Media in Abuse Scandals (11/29/2007)
Gymnastics Abuse Scandal Unfolds (11/28/2007)
Sad News Comes to Stow (11/26/2007)

Stow Arts Buffet

2010-03-29T00:34:08Z

In Stow, one of the surest signs of Spring is the annual Arts Buffet. With dozens of arts and crafts tables, hundreds of excited kids made everything from sailboats to modge podge light switch plates to ceramic tile sculptures. As usual, on stage art teacher Marion Rayner displayed art from all K-5 kids, including gargoyles fired in the new kiln, Sculpey owls, and several other kinds of art showing using all sorts of techniques. We were also treated to musical performances on piano, violin, saxophone and electric guitar as well as several vocal acts.

For last year's images see: Stow's Arts Buffet Festival (April 4, 2009) and Center School Art Show (April 3, 2009).

Maynard Christmas Parade

2009-12-07T09:38:09Z

Maynard just seems to do it differently from everyone else! Who else has October fireworks? And a Christmas parade?

Verrill Farm Corn & Tomato Festival

2009-08-16T21:34:39Z

It's been a tough year for Verrill Farm, but the fun was back this year as they celebrated their annual Corn and Tomato Festival. Last year this event was unfortunately cancelled due to rain and then shortly thereafter they had a devastating fire. But, alas, according to Mr. Verrill, they are five weeks from opening their rebuilt farm stand.

The fun was the same as we remembered, with music under the big tent by Monadnock Bluegrass, pony rides, and hayrides. But the corn and tomatos are what makes this festival so special and they did not disappoint. There were more tomato dishes than we remembered with a tomato risotto and tomato and mozzarella being the tastiest (to me). I could have stayed all day for the corn, which was cooked in large iron kettles fired by wood.

Their next event will be September 13, 2009 for their Pig Roast and BBQ. For more information visit their website at: Verrill Farm.

Verrill Farm Destroyed but to be Rebuilt (September 21, 2008)

Sudbury July 4th Parade

2009-07-12T22:31:25Z

Sudbury held its annual July 4th celebration in typical all-American style. The parade was led by fire and police from near and faraway towns. There were bands, including the always entertaining Liberty Jazz Band, minutemen, political activists, and antique cars. As always, there was lots of candy to be had, thrown from floats. This year, my children were smart enough to bring little bags with them.

Independence Day (July 4, 2008)
Sudbury July 4th Parade (July 4, 2008)

Nashoba Regional High Graduation

2009-06-08T00:54:04Z

The towns of Bolton, Lancaster and Stow celebrated the graduation of their high school seniors at Nashoba Regional High School today on June 7, 2009. This "best of" slideshow chronicles the entire event. If you are searching for more images, please visit the full NRHS 2009 Graduation Gallery. All images are available for purchase with proceeds going to Stow's Community Chest.

Stow School Picnic

2009-06-02T09:45:00Z

Every year at this time, just a few short weeks before summer break, our elementary school's PTO hosts the Pompo/Center School Picnic. It's always a wonderful event and, for the kids, it's pretty much the social event of the year. Practically everyone shows up. There's plenty to eat, lots of field games, and fire and police activities. The most popular event, of course, is the dunking booth, where the kids get back at their favorite, or not so favorite, teachers. The parents sit around and commiserate about all the time they'll have with their kids in a short while, wondering how they will fill the long summer days.

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T22:35:07Z

Stow has the wonderful tradition of celebrating Memorial Day with a parade and ceremony. The parade begins at Center School and winds its way down to Brookside Cemetery. Every year, the names of all of Stow's fallen veterans are read as well as a reading of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, laying of the wreaths, playing of Taps, and volley by the Stow Minutemen. But perhaps most moving is when the first graders lay marigolds they have grown at the graves of veterans. After the ceremony at the cemetery, we all march to the Randall Library for the National Moment of Silence at 3PM and an address by our State Representative, Kate Hogan. It's gratifying to see so many come out to honor our veterans; brave men and women who fought to defend our liberty.

Spring at Acton Arboretum

2009-05-11T17:22:11Z

If you live around here and have yet to take a trip over to Acton Arboretum, you really owe it to yourself to do so. My wife and I were there last weekend and it was quite a sight to behold. There are blossoms everywhere, including from the new lilacs planted last year. But also there were many flowering trees, from Eastern Redbuds to the familiar apple trees, tulips and daffodils. The arboretum is completely free, with picnic tables and open lawns for you and your family to spread out and enjoy nature.

Acton Arboretum (5/31/2008)

Stow Gymnastics Abuse Scandal Update

2009-04-29T12:39:30Z

The abuse scandal which rocked our community nearly 1.5 years ago may have died down almost completely here in Stow, but the case goes on in court. The trial has kept getting pushed back for various reasons, but on Monday Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan made it clear that this could not happen indefinitely. It was revealed that there are 15 boxes of evidence being held by Acton Police. The defense was claiming they thought there would be only 4 boxes of evidence and therefore requested more time for review. The motion to suppress (where the defense asks for certain evidence to not be considered) is May 19, 2009 and the trial date is now set for September 21, 2009. As of today, Infante and DiTullio are being tried together even though there are separate charges against each of them. It appears that defense attorney Kevin Reddington, representing DiTullio, may ask to decouple the cases.

Steve DiTullio, former owner of Five Star Gymnastics in Stow now named 10.0 Academy, is formally accused of perjury. His associate, Steve Infante, is charged with far greater crimes including child rape. The details of the case have been widely reported here and elsewhere (see related posts below). Among the allegations are that both DiTullio and Infante gave alcohol to minors, that DiTullio allowed Infante to participate in programs despite his lifetime ban by USA Gymnastics, and that that both men participated in inappropriate sexual activity with minors.

Five Star Gymnastics Renamed to 10.0 Academy (2/8/2008)
Explanation for Pictures Emerges (11/30/2007)
The Role of the Media in Abuse Scandals (11/29/2007)
Gymnastics Abuse Scandal Unfolds (11/28/2007)
Sad News Comes to Stow (11/26/2007)

Spring Soccer

2009-04-19T18:26:20Z

Spring soccer has arrived, along with seasonable weather, and parents all over are rejoicing. Stow's program starts with munchkins (as young as 4.5 year olds) and goes up to U16 and U18 and the highly competitive Nashoba United teams. Soccer was never my favorite personal sport to play or to watch. But I do think soccer is a great sport to get involved for an initial foray into sports. There's a lot less to learn than, say, baseball. Stow has made great strides in its younger leagues over the past few years by involving the Play Soccer program. The program is quite popular in New England and they send us real UK coaches to help the kids learn skills. I'm still not quite sure if they are authentically British, they could just have really good accent training. Maybe I'll place a pint of Samuel Smith's near a goal and see if they go for it. Image: Players get ready for a kick-in during the today's first U7 game at the Pompositticut School fields.

Stow's Arts Buffet Festival

2009-04-05T00:02:16Z

For elementary school children, one of the major social events of the year is the Stow Arts Buffet Festival. Held at Center School and sponsored by the Stow PTO, upwards of 200 kids engaged in numerous arts and crafts projects in the school's gymnasium. T-shirt decorating and clay modeling were probably the favorites. The time capsule will be the most enduring. Kids answered some questions about themselves and put the paper inside a plastic tennis ball can which is only to be opened upon graduation from high school! The recycled art section challenged kids to be creative and many unique pieces of art were made. In addition to the art, music teacher Judy Dyer coordinated a musical talent show with acts student acts including guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, piano and violin performances. On stage was the Art Show, displaying kids' framed art.

To view a larger set of images, visit: Arts Buffet Slideshow.