Recently in News Category
Yesterday at 3:30PM I received my regular customer e-mail from Verrill Farm. This one informed me about their turkey order from Stonewood Farm Turkeys in Vermont. Little did I know that something terrible was happening about the time of the e-mail. Verrill Farm burned down yesterday. The result of a suspected electrical problem causing the propane tanks to explode. This is a very sad day for the community.
The farm consists of 200 acres. The farm started in 1918 as a dairy business. In 1982, after years of planning and negotiations, the land was placed under an Agricultural Preservation Restriction, thus preventing development of this land. In 1990, the dairy herd was sold and plans began to replace the existing tent retail space with a new farm stand, which was built in 1995.
We go to Verrill all the time. I pass by it several times a week on my way into work in Boston. It's just a lovely oasis. They have the best corn and the best tomatoes, and they celebrate every summer with their annual "Corn and Tomato Festival". This year, unfortunately, the festival was cancelled because of rains. Little were we to know that this would happen shortly thereafter.
We give the Verrill's our best wishes and prayers.
Steve Verrill released this statement in early October 2008:
As many of you know, a fire destroyed our farmstand Saturday, September 20. We are grateful that everyone made it out of the stand safely and that our fields were not touched by fire. Thanks to all of our customers, friends, business associates and neighbors who have stopped to offer support - it is appreciated and the out pouring of concern is over-whelming. Many have asked how they can help. For those who would like to contribute to the rebuilding of the stand, we have set up a special account, The Verrill Farmstand Fund, at the Middlesex Savings Bank, 1208 Main Street, West Concord, MA 01742. Another important way to help is shopping at the temporary stand which supports both the farm and our employees. On Monday, September 22 we started selling corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, mums and more from the wagon we used before the farmstand was built. Soon there will be a temporary building where you will find a selection of familiar items including our own baked goods, produce and other items. We're open from 9 am - 6 pm every day - we look forward to seeing you!
Link: Verrill Farm
The sex abuse scandal of Five Star Gymnastics' owner Steve DiTullio and his friend Steve Infante has been widely reported, both here and in the local and national press. A couple of weeks ago the Five Star Gymnastics sign on Great Road (Rte. 117) in Stow was taken down and its website was replaced with a new logo and name–10.0 Academy under the ownership of Christalle and Dave Auger. While I have nothing against either of these two fine individuals and wish them every success, it is important to note that it remains to be seen how complete the change of ownership is. Christalle is Steve DiTullio's daughter and Dave is her husband. There are no comments on the website (still named fivestargymnastics.com and with a couple of remaining and embarrassing references to Five Star Gymnastics) concerning the "situation" which is still under investigation and prosecution. DiTullio and Infante are still required to make regular appearances in court as the case continues. The 10-0gymnastics.org website is not currently available, even though the site is advertised on the new sign and on the old website's logo. A potential parent would have no indication that any alleged impropriety has occurred. There have also been no letters in the local press from the new owners addressing the situation that has occurred (e.g., what role Steve DiTullio is playing, assurances of safety, explanation of allowing Infante to coach students at Five Star despite the USAG lifetime ban, etc). If the new owners want to be viewed as legitimate, they must address these issues publicly. If they do not, parents should still be wary.
Over the past couple of days, an explanation for the damaging pictures that have been circulating around the Internet has emerged. The pictures I am concerned about are the girl in handcuffs and the photographic proof that Infante was at the camp, despite a lifetime ban by USA Gymnastics. It bothers me greatly that not only it is a fact that Infante was there and participated in activities, but that he was allowed to touch girls and in one picture appeared to be about to spank a young girl. Given that the USA Gymnastics ban was based on credible evidence, it is unforgivable that the organizers of the camp would allow Infante to participate in any capacity. It is also inexcusable that USA Gymnastics did not report what they learned to the police nearly a decade ago.
The handcuff pictures show DiTullio, and apparently an off duty police officer who was dating one of the coaches, applying handcuffs to a 12-13 year old girl to her wrists and ankles and then coupling them together to hogtie her. The explanation for this is that everyone in the room consented to it and there was a desire to feel what it would be like to be handcuffed and to try to get out of an awkward situation. Some are saying I took the pictures out of context. While there may have been no harm intended and while the girl involved–and others who witnessed it–may not have felt it was harmful, it does not make what was done right. The context does not matter.
I will leave it to others to determine whether what happened was a crime. Consider this was a gymnastics camp where kids as young as 8 years old attended. It was not a camp to learn about magic or Houdini. I highly doubt that parents who allowed their kids to go to the camp knew that something like that was going to happen. And the fact that my 8 year old was encouraged to attend this camp makes me wonder what effect this would have on younger kids. Even if the younger kids were not in the room, what happened could have found its way back to them. There is no excuse for this deplorable behavior by adults. Ignorance is certainly not an excuse.
As I said in a previous post, often our first instinct is to rationalize experiences even if they are wrong. If you can rationalize what happened, then so be it. But I believe doing so makes our kids less safe. Apparently the authorities did not rationalize it in the same way that some parents have nor have prominent psychiatrists I have talked to about this.
In a separate incident, it has been widely reported that this fall DiTullio taped four gymnasts mouths closed with tape going under their chin and over their heads. There was a mixed reaction from parents and not an apology by DiTullio. Apparently the girls involved, including one as young as 9, were not upset over the incident. Again, this goes to my point about kids–and apparently adults–rationalizing their experiences. From these two examples, the taping and handcuffs, it appears a pattern is emerging of abuse of power, at the minimum, that is troubling to say the least.
The handcuff pictures show DiTullio, and apparently an off duty police officer who was dating one of the coaches, applying handcuffs to a 12-13 year old girl to her wrists and ankles and then coupling them together to hogtie her. The explanation for this is that everyone in the room consented to it and there was a desire to feel what it would be like to be handcuffed and to try to get out of an awkward situation. Some are saying I took the pictures out of context. While there may have been no harm intended and while the girl involved–and others who witnessed it–may not have felt it was harmful, it does not make what was done right. The context does not matter.
I will leave it to others to determine whether what happened was a crime. Consider this was a gymnastics camp where kids as young as 8 years old attended. It was not a camp to learn about magic or Houdini. I highly doubt that parents who allowed their kids to go to the camp knew that something like that was going to happen. And the fact that my 8 year old was encouraged to attend this camp makes me wonder what effect this would have on younger kids. Even if the younger kids were not in the room, what happened could have found its way back to them. There is no excuse for this deplorable behavior by adults. Ignorance is certainly not an excuse.
As I said in a previous post, often our first instinct is to rationalize experiences even if they are wrong. If you can rationalize what happened, then so be it. But I believe doing so makes our kids less safe. Apparently the authorities did not rationalize it in the same way that some parents have nor have prominent psychiatrists I have talked to about this.
In a separate incident, it has been widely reported that this fall DiTullio taped four gymnasts mouths closed with tape going under their chin and over their heads. There was a mixed reaction from parents and not an apology by DiTullio. Apparently the girls involved, including one as young as 9, were not upset over the incident. Again, this goes to my point about kids–and apparently adults–rationalizing their experiences. From these two examples, the taping and handcuffs, it appears a pattern is emerging of abuse of power, at the minimum, that is troubling to say the least.
The Stow Independent newspaper today reported additional details and made connections in this case that appear not to be reported elsewhere. Specifically, the articles said that:
If someone thinks that sexual incidents with a 17 year old is not so bad since it's "almost legal"–DiTullio is 53–consider that it's not just an issue of age. DiTullio is a person in authority who has considerable influence in children's lives. Many of these kids spend upwards of 20 hours at gym per week. Often they come home from school, go to gym, go to bed. They may see more of their coach than their parents. Also, it's often true that a 17 year old gymnast started at the gym when she was quite a bit younger. She might feel comfortable with or even develop an infatuation for her coach. It's the coaches responsibility to respect the boundary between what is right and what is wrong. Abuse of authority is common and reprehensible whether it occurs with a 17 year old or even an adult. As to the other "evidence" like the images on the web I say this: even if there is some context that explains things like handcuffing a 12-13 year old girl, it still doesn't meet the smell test. We are designed as humans to rationalize our experiences. Whole societies can get brainwashed into thinking something is right when in fact it is very very wrong. Just look at World War II Germany.
While I am acutely sensitive to child abuse, especially child sexual abuse, I did not ever wish for this to happen. My family was a member of the Five Star "family." We trusted DiTullio. Indeed the Five Star Mission as quoted from their website is: (1) to encourage each child to grow emotionally and physically, (2) to help each child express themselves through gymnastics, (3) to foster acceptance of self and others, and (4) to make each child's day brighter through positive reinforcement. The disconnect between the mission and the allegations emerging in this case could not be more dramatic.
I am saddened by the lives that are being affected and the damage this will cause to our close community. I hope our town and its neighbors can come together and stand united in protecting our children.
- Leslie King, Media Relations Director for USA Gymnastics, confirmed that in 1998 Infante was banned for life and was not permitted to participate in any USAG sanctioned meets. As recently as December 2006, a gymnastics judge from Massachusetts saw Infante participating at a sanctioned meet directed by DiTullio and demanded he be removed.
- Court documents in Connecticut make allegations that DiTullio engaged in sexual activity with a 17 year old gymnast.
- In 1993, there are witnesses that allege DiTullio gave "hickeys" to gymnasts. According to the documents, an employee confronted DiTullio, he admitted he caused the marks, and shortly thereafter fired the employee.
- On the Five Star Gymnastics door there is a written statement by DiTullio saying he has no connection with Five Star Gymnastics Overnight Camp. However, the Five Star Gymnastics' own website states he is director of this camp.
- Records indicate the female gymnast whose wrists and ankles were handcuffed was between 12 and 13 years old at the time the picture was taken in 2006.
- Another written statement by DiTullio said authorities have "confused two different men with the same first name as well as the name of similarly named gymnastics programs."
If someone thinks that sexual incidents with a 17 year old is not so bad since it's "almost legal"–DiTullio is 53–consider that it's not just an issue of age. DiTullio is a person in authority who has considerable influence in children's lives. Many of these kids spend upwards of 20 hours at gym per week. Often they come home from school, go to gym, go to bed. They may see more of their coach than their parents. Also, it's often true that a 17 year old gymnast started at the gym when she was quite a bit younger. She might feel comfortable with or even develop an infatuation for her coach. It's the coaches responsibility to respect the boundary between what is right and what is wrong. Abuse of authority is common and reprehensible whether it occurs with a 17 year old or even an adult. As to the other "evidence" like the images on the web I say this: even if there is some context that explains things like handcuffing a 12-13 year old girl, it still doesn't meet the smell test. We are designed as humans to rationalize our experiences. Whole societies can get brainwashed into thinking something is right when in fact it is very very wrong. Just look at World War II Germany.
While I am acutely sensitive to child abuse, especially child sexual abuse, I did not ever wish for this to happen. My family was a member of the Five Star "family." We trusted DiTullio. Indeed the Five Star Mission as quoted from their website is: (1) to encourage each child to grow emotionally and physically, (2) to help each child express themselves through gymnastics, (3) to foster acceptance of self and others, and (4) to make each child's day brighter through positive reinforcement. The disconnect between the mission and the allegations emerging in this case could not be more dramatic.
I am saddened by the lives that are being affected and the damage this will cause to our close community. I hope our town and its neighbors can come together and stand united in protecting our children.
Last week, news came out of our town that is most unfortunate. Our children's gymnastic coach and his friend were indicted for crimes against children. The full indictment can be found on the Middlesex County District Attorney's Website. I have the following public statement to make on this situation that will appear in The Stow Independent's "Over the Post" section:We have been a member of the Five Star Gymnastics “family” for over 5 years, since we moved to Stow. My children have been members of the team and summer pool, attended classes, sleepovers, and more. My wife and I are completely disappointed and disheartened by the news we have learned concerning Steve DiTullio and his friend Steve Infante.Additionally, there are images circulating on the Internet showing a girl on the floor being handcuffed and hogtied by DiTullio at the 2006 Five Star Gymnastics Camp. There is another image of Infante about to slap a girl on her behind. I don't know what to make of these images, but they do not look explainable to me.
I have talked to many parents over the past several days. Some are defensive and want to support the gym. I appreciate this is a common first reaction. Many do not know what to do and are searching for answers. As a parent, teacher, and sexual abuse survivor, I can safely say that not talking is not helpful. I encourage parents to talk with one another to figure out how to deal with the situation and how to explain it to your children. This may be a good time to utilize the school counselors if you are unsure what to say.
There is also concern by many parents that there be a rush to judgement about Steve DiTullio and Five Star. While I agree with this sentiment, it is deeply troubling that the facts make it difficult to believe Steve DiTullio did not know that Steve Infante was banned from USA Gymnastics nearly 10 years ago. The two Steves are close friends. Yet Infante was allowed to attend numerous meets (that included sleepovers my daughter attended), the Five Star Gymnastics Camp in Springfield every summer, the team trip to Puerto Rico, and even coach. There was never any warning from anyone at Five Star that Infante was banned or was a threat to the safety of our children.
I can imagine the pain and suffering that the girls who came forward have endured. The effects of childhood sexual abuse are long lasting and pervasive. While I feel for the DiTullio family, I feel more strongly for the girls who may have been hurt and were not protected.
Indeed this is a sad time for Five Star and Stow. I feel personally hurt and my trust in the "Five Star Family," as it is often called, is completely shattered. If Steve DiTullio is innocent, I will be happy. But I will always believe he is at the minimum negligent. While this may not be a crime, it speaks volumes about the man.
