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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.

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.

Related posts:

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

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.

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.

Related Post:

• Acton Arboretum (5/31/2008)

Even though a snowstorm is theoretically possible, twelve years ago we were socked with 25.4 inches from the famous April Fools' Day Blizzard, the fact that Erikson's Dairy opens today at noon bodes well for those of us who are tired of Winter. Erikson's is by no means the only spot around for the traditional warm weather treat. Dairy Joy in nearby Hudson and Weston as well as Kimball Farm in Westford and Carlisle are also worth exploring.

I've been following Jackie Murtha (pictured) for over a year now. She's an extremely talented senior at Nashoba Regional High School, full of expression and super easy to photograph. Jackie reprises the role of Eliza Doolittle in Nashoba Drama Society's production of "My Fair Lady" which will run from March 20-22, 2009 at the high school in Bolton, MA. The set is wonderfully done and the production is fantastic as always.

"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring. It was performed this past weekend by Nashoba Drama. The play is a comedy, and certainly has its funny moments, but it was written in 1939 and certainly has that sense about it as you watch. Nick Sestito certainly stole the show as the eccentric Teddy Brewster, who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt. Mike Sestito (as Jonathan Brewster) and Jackie Murtha (as Abby Brewster) performed fabulously as always. Image: Mike Sestito and Taylor Leaming perform as Jonathan Brewster and Elaine Harper.

Related Galleries:

• Thoroughly Modern Millie (Spring 2008)
• It's a Wonderful Life (Fall 2007)

The Nashoba Chieftains aren't exactly having a stellar year (they are 4-5 overall and 2-2 in Central Mass Division 1), but they did put on an offensive show for what was my first photo shoot of the team this year. They demolished St. Peter Marian of Worcester by a score of 50-16. Some of you may remember last year's near fight that broke out as rowdy parents got a little testy, forcing Stow's police chief to take charge who was there watching his son. This year there were no such theatrics. From a photographer's perspective these aren't the best games to shoot as there are so few passes. Nashoba made a total of 7 passes all game. Today was the Travis Patterson show as he rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns, even though he didn't start his show until almost the end of the first half. Top image: Offensive lineman Dan Trefry (#56) of Stow keeps defenders from getting inside for the point after. Bottom image: Nashoba's Travis Patterson (#32) rushes in for another score as Stow's Matt Murray (#44) ensures his side of the defense is cleared.

Related Posts:

• Fall 2007 Football Gallery no. 13
• Fall 2007 Sports Gallery no. 10

At the Union Common in Marlborough (intersection of Main and Bolton Streets) is a rather interesting bell and tower called the John Brown Bell. The story goes that during the US Civil War, Company I from the 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was given the task of removing from Harper's Ferry items from the US Arsenal which John Brown had captured in 1859. A bell was to be brought back to Marlborough for their fire engine house. On the plaque where it now stands is inscribed: "Symbol of a nation's efforts to obtain freedom and equality for its people".