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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.
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It's been a long time coming. Twenty two years ago another "Big Three" won over the Houston Rockets. You just assumed they played against the Lakers? Nope. That was 1987 and 1985 when the Lakers won and 1984 when the Celtics won. Many of us who followed the Celtics-Lakers rivalry in the 80s with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as the league's premiere athletes probably didn't realize the rivalry was born decades earlier. Going back to the 1960s, the Celtics squared off against the Lakers in the finals six times that decade, with the Celtics prevailing each time!
Those were the glory days. It's been a tough couple of past decades, though, to be a Celtics fan. Honestly, they have been very hard to watch, except in 2002 with that miraculous comeback against the Nets. Not only is it a good time to be a Celtics fan, but Boston has become a city of sports dynasties. The Red Sox broke their almost century-long skid, the Patriots emerged from bottom dwellers to perennial champions, and now the Celtics have joined them. If you are a hockey fan, you can always root for Boston College or Boston University who are always among the best in Division I NCAA hockey or follow the Beanpot. Boston College, after all, won a national championship this year, much to the chagrin of Boston University fans. In Boston, that BC-BU rivalry is as big as those on the professional-level: Yankees-Red Sox, Celtics-Lakers, or Bruins-Canadiens. Yes, we have great sports rivalries in Beantown.
The NBA playoffs were immensely exciting. I am amazed at how much better play is now than it was 20 years ago. Celtics defense has been oppressive. And the Celtics no longer lumber down the court like they did in the 80s. The Celtics are fast now. And exciting to watch. Paul Pierce showed why Shaquille O'Neal nicknamed him "The Truth." This new generation of the "Big Three" has been nothing short of spectacular. But, as Kevin Garnett (aka KG) remarked after the game, it's a team effort. They could not have won without the other players. This is true for any team at any level.
Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris did a superb job with the NBA "There Can Only Be One" commercials. Talk about gearing you up for the game. I've been wondering what the piano background music is on the "Compilation" commercial. Some have said it's Elijah Bossenbroek's Song of Simplicity. Close, but that's not it. It's just a simple riff with some interesting chords: Am, Am7, GCE, and G#BE. The difference is the last chord: Bossenbroek's ends in a bright G major. I finally discovered the song is actually Carly Comando's single Everyday which is much richer and complex in its chord structure. Her song has the same chord progression (though different key) as Philip Glass's song Truman Sleeps from the 1998 film The Truman Show which is similar to his Etude no. 1 from 2003. If you listen to her whole song, it's beautiful and haunting at the same time, but certainly not traditional. The main theme repeats an awful long time and then there is a little melodic riff added way into the song. It sounds like it's all improvised, which it probably is. The song could easily be chopped in half or more and maintain more punch. But the song's length was intended to match the length of photographer Noah Kalina's YouTube video he made from stitching together photos of himself every day for six years. I had this song in my head all evening during the finals game and I am not sure whether it was my being overtired or not, but I could have sworn they were playing the piece continuously in the background of the ESPN wrap up show! For more on Carly Comando, see my interview with her on my personal pages. The Magic and Bird commercial is awesome too about the "rivalry". The KG-Kobe commercial about fear is a great mental motivator. In listening to Doc Rivers in the huddle and locker room, it's all about mental toughness. It's a good lesson for sport and a good lesson for life. Paul Pierce displayed this tough mental attitude when he said at halftime they wanted it too bad to let LA back in the game and "the foot's on the pedal".
Congratulations Celtics. Basketball is back in Boston!
Image: A Celtics banner hangs on the Massachusetts State House.
There is nothing that signals spring more than baseball's opening day, whether it's at the professional or tee ball levels. The Assabet Valley Little League serves the towns of Maynard and Stow and draws approximately 600 players on 52 teams. A far off dream for many of these kids is to play Tee Ball at the White House. President Bush, who as you probably know is the first President to have played Little League, has been hosting annual Tee Ball games on the South Lawn of the White House. This year, there will be a Tee Ball "All Star" game with one player selected from each state. A more realistic dream is to just be part of a local All Star team in the regular baseball and softball local and regional tournaments where they can hope, with skill and a little luck, to get to Williamsport, PA. Image: Manager Jeff LaPlante and his Minor League "Reds" team prepare for the first Opening Day exhibition game this past Sunday on DJ's Field in Maynard, MA.
Tragedy struck Stow last week with the death of Frankie DeMeo in an automobile accident. Frankie was a star wrestler for the Nashoba-Clinton varsity wrestling squad in the 112-pound weight class. DeMeo was a hard working student who struggled with learning but succeeded in the classroom and on the wrestling mat. Memorials are listed on Facebook.com and on MassWrestling.com. Pictured are Frankie's teammates at sectionals last weekend. See Jordana Foster's article from The Stow Independent.
Full of New Year’s Resolutions? If any of them include getting in shape or trying something new, let our local recreation departments help you get started.Not only are there great community education classes offered in our own town but by simply looking to adjacent towns you can multiply your options tenfold.
Don’t hesitate to sign up for fear of being a non-resident. These towns want us to utilize their offerings. This is evidenced by the fact that there are no additional fees for residents of other towns. In many instances classes will not run if there are less than five students; full classes mean a greater number of viable offerings.
The Winter 2008 Program offered through the Stow Recreation Department shows classes such as Music Together for children from birth through age five. Classes are offered Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Town Hall. Men’s Basketball is a great choice for those who aren’t fond of outdoor, cold-weather exercise. This class is held on Tuesdays at the Hale School Gym from 6:30-8:30 pm.
The Town of Sudbury Park & Recreation Department offers a huge and varied selection of programs. Most of their programs are held at the Fairbank Rec Center at 40 Fairbank Road. This facility also houses a gorgeous six-lane pool and diving well.
Class offerings for adults include, for example, Jazzercise and Introduction to Snowshoeing. Children might enjoy a ten-week Musical Theater class that culminates with a performance for parents during its last week. Sudbury uniquely offers weekly Kindergarten workshops that run 1.5 hours and focus on a specific topic. “Hawaiin Luau,” “Medieval Castle Fun,” and “Jungle Safari,” are just a few. These are great for half-day Kindergarteners because they are offered in the morning and afternoon. You can sign up for one or all fourteen.
The Town of Acton offers two separate recreation program guides. The larger of the two is a listing called The Interaction and is assembled by Acton Boxborough Community Education. “How to Buy & Sell on Ebay” is a popluar class as well as “Photoshop for the Absolute Beginner.” You might not think you could find “Beginner Fencing for Children” outside of Boston but The Interaction has it. For the more intellectual child perhaps “Mad Science” would be an option. The Interaction also lists options for swimming lessons and open swim utilizing Acton-Boxborough High School’s pool.
The Town of Acton Recreation Department offers Landscaping Workshops and bus trips such as The New England Patriots vs. The Buffalo Bills. For children interested in cooking there’s “Edible Fun Stop” and “Valentine Candy Class.”
In general, programs offered through recreation departments have a more relaxed, non-committal feel than those offered through commercial vendors. The children’s programs, in particular, have a less-competitive, fun atmosphere.
From a financial standpoint, you can’t beat the price of town offerings. One of the reasons being that those who teach classes don’t need to cover large overhead for rent and utilities. In addition, you, the consumer, don’t need to commit to a one-year gym membership if you’re simply curious about a Pilates class.
By taking advantage of the offerings of neighboring recreation departments, adults and children alike can entertain themselves through the long Winter months.
Area Recreation Departments:
- Stow Recreation Department: 380 Great Road, Stow, MA.
- Town of Sudbury Park & Recreation/Atkinson Pool: Fairbank Community Center, 40 Fairbank Road, Sudbury, MA.
- Acton Boxborough Community Education (The Interaction): Administration Building, 15 Charter Road, Acton, MA. Phone (978) 266-2525 to obtain a catalog.
- Town of Acton Recreation Department: Acton Town Hall, 472 Main St., Acton, MA.
- Concord Recreation Department: Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow Street, Concord, MA. Includes the new Beede Swim & Fitness Center.
- Hudson Division of Recreation: 78 Main Street, Hudson, MA.
- Marlborough Recreation Department: 239 Concord Road, Marlborough, MA.
- Minuteman Regional High School: 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA.
Well, two out of four ain't that bad. Do I hear dynasty? I don't know what I'm going to do with myself, though, now not being a fan for an underdog team. I have followed the Sox all season (with slightly waning interest toward the middle of the season) and for many seasons past, and it does feel good to win. Of course, being from Boston I thought the lead since the beginning of the season was eventually going to evaporate (which it nearly did) and was sure there was going to be a crushing by the Yankees coming (which there was during the late series in the Bronx). So, I guess I'm not a truly faithful fan. But I would venture to guess that not too many are. And if they tell you they are, they are probably lying. What can I say? I'm not used to this new dynasty stuff. I've lived through the glory days of the Celtics with Larry Bird and then the many miserable years, the miserable years of the Patriots, and then of course the inevitable losses to the Bronx Bombers. I met a woman today who is definitely faithful to the Sox. Rosemary Bawn from Stow is a quilter and decorated her barn with one of her Fenway quilts, banners, and caricatures, including a dancing Jonathan Papelbon and an MVP Mike Lowell. The image made it to boston.com today. Theo: Please keep Lowell and offer Tito a contract and bonus will ya? Ditch Crisp and promote Ellsbury!
