By Kevin Vendt
Photos by Kenan Cooper
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Reading celebrated Veterans Day with two different, though connected, ceremonies at Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) on Friday. The first unveiled a new monument honoring those who served in the conflict in Vietnam, and the second was a ceremony naming the RMHS track for one of those men, former teacher, and coach Harold Croft.
The first ceremony took the opportunity to pause and commemorate those who served in the Vietnam conflict by unveiling a new monument that recognizes the sacrifice of all who served in Vietnam, specifically memorializing the seven Reading residents whose lives were lost in that conflict. The new memorial is a dignified black stone marker located by the RMHS main entrance with the roll call of those seven men listed along with their graduation year and the date on which they were killed in action. The ceremony was highlighted by comments from RMHS Assistant Principal Jessica Theriault and retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, a Reading native.
Theriault, a veteran with many family members who also served, reflected on the experiences of her relatives who served in Vietnam. “I have seen [them] flinch and shake when a car backfires or when loud pops occur on the Fourth of July – their eyes filled with terror,” Theriault shared. “The flashbacks they have are real and haunting. They served to honor our country,” she continued. [Read More]
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The assembled crowd then moved to the track, where the naming ceremony honoring Croft was held. During his tenure as coach, the boys track team had 252 consecutive victories, securing twenty-nine straight state titles. Croft is in the Massachusetts Track Hall of Fame and was named the National Coach of the Year in 1996. He also was named the Disney-McDonalds Coach of the Year in the same year. Croft is a 1999 inductee into the RMHS Hall of Fame and was the Boston Globe-Herald Coach of the Year six times. [Read More]
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On Tuesday, by a 5-0 vote, the Select Board approved the placement of a menorah for display on the Town Common during the holiday season. Select Board chair Mark Dockser introduced the idea by reading a list of nearby towns that already display a menorah in a public space, including Wakefield, Lynnfield, and North Reading. “It is a mainstream sort of activity that goes on,” Dockser indicated. He continued to share that, if approved, an event would take place in partnership with other organizations, such as the Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, or the Clergy Association, on December 14 with the lighting of the first light. A new light would be lit for eight consecutive days; then, the display would come down. “It would be a welcoming thing for the community to have,” Dockser suggested. |
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Dockser continued to share that the Supreme Court had ruled that a menorah was not considered a religious item but could be deemed more celebratory of inclusion. Town Counsel Ivria Fried confirmed this assertion stating that the Supreme Court ruled that “A menorah does not violate the establishment clause of the Constitution.”
Fried continued to delineate the subtle differences between government speech and private speech for the board. Select Board member Christopher Haley, while expressing support for the placement of a menorah, questioned whether or not the board was opening itself for many more such requests through its members in the future. Select Board member Carlo Bacci also wondered whether or not a different non-religious symbol of the season, a Christmas tree, should also be erected on the common given the context of the Supreme Court decision. Select Board member Jackie McCarthy stated, “Context matters and ownership and control matters – we need to analyze future requests.” The board added a discussion of such matters to their list of future agenda topics. [Read More]
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The Chocolate Truffle 494 Main St, Reading, MA |
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By Isabella Pastore
Photos by Kenan Cooper
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The Chocolate Truffle, a family-owned business operated by Craig Burkinshaw, prepares for the holiday season with handmade chocolate and truffles for its seventh year in the location.
Burkinshaw comes from a long line of candy makers, going all the way back to his great-grandfather. He grew up in the business but initially worked for wholesale companies doing consulting work.
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Admittedly, this work in wholesale was not necessarily fulfilling as Burkinshaw began to turn to a career in retail. The margins are small in the wholesale business, and he was hoping to take more of an artistic approach to candy making.
The former owners of The Chocolate Truffle were getting into wholesale as Burkinshaw was getting into retail, and it became a “match made in heaven,” according to Burkinshaw. It was much easier to start with another location with a kitchen, which significantly helped the opening process.
Most of Burkinshaw’s training came from his grandfather, carrying on a family legacy. He also considers some friends in the industry to be his mentors, whom he learned from and helped Burkinshaw get into retail. They even donated items to The Chocolate Truffle, including a stove and kettles, to help him with his business endeavor.
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The Chocolate Truffle sees the most revenue in chocolate sales and makes its own hand-rolled truffles. They have expanded their hand-dipped chocolate products as well, of those caramels and turtles sell most frequently. The Chocolate Truffle makes a lot of gift items, including platters of chocolates, gift baskets, and corporate gifting on a larger scale. Generally, people go to The Chocolate Truffle to buy something for a friend, but “nobody leaves without a little something for themselves,” said Burkinshaw. [Read More]
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Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved Article six of the warrant on Monday, which dissolves the current Affordable Housing Trust fund, established in 2001, and creates a new fund as provided for under updated Massachusetts General Law (MGL). The new fund will have an appointed Board of Trustees who will manage the fund, raise new funds, and more nimbly use funds to create, enhance, or encourage affordable housing in town. Town Manager Fidel Maltez described the article as taking five steps: abolishing the current fund, adopting the new MGL, creating a bylaw to establish the new fund, amending the bylaw to incorporate the new board, and file for certification of the Trust with the registry.
Town Meeting in April of 2021 approved an instructional motion asking for the current Affordable Housing structure to be amended. Town Meeting member Barry Berman, speaking in favor of Article six, stated, “This [article] will create leadership to come up with ideas or solutions as well as raise money.” [Read More]
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Reading’s Fat Larry’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop has made Boston.com’s list of Best Sandwich in Greater Boston. The list was created from readers who submitted their favorite spots for lunch.
Fat Larry’s, located at169 Haven Street, is owned and operated by the brother-sister combination of Crystal Hodson and Greg Hodson. [Read More]
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Reading-native Kayla Iacopucci has run her eyelash extension business, Kaylash, since 2013 and looks forward to continuing to give back to the Reading community. The Arlington-Catholic graduate currently lives in the house she grew up in and is raising her young family there.
Iacopucci attended Fitchburg State, originally intending to be a dental hygienist. She always had an interest in skincare and esthetics but was initially worried about whether or not she would make a living in the skincare industry. After finishing her undergraduate degree and before attending esthetician school at Catherine Hinds, Iacopucci took an eyelash extension course and began practicing on her friends. [Read More]
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On December 6, 2022, the Reading Public Library and the Pleasant Street Center will co-host a special intergenerational screening of Cycle of Memory, the new award-winning documentary about two siblings’ bicycle adventure to find and explore the memories their grandfather lost to Alzheimer’s. The film is 72 minutes long and will be followed by a Q+A with the filmmaker.
Cycle of Memory tells the story of how Mel Schwartz escaped the Great Depression on a bicycle adventure he’d remember for years. But when Alzheimer’s takes Mel’s memories away, grandsons Alex and Koby recreate the life-changing bike trip and find those memories again. While searching for Grandpa Mel’s past, the two brothers are confronted with their own fraught history. If they’re going to complete the turbulent journey, they’ll have to face their own emotional potholes and tumultuous relationship. [Read More]
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Reading Senior Citizens are invited to attend the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hillview Country Club in North Reading on Saturday, November 19 at 1 p.m. Doors will open at 12:15 p.m.
Held annually since 2008, the Reading Thanksgiving Dinner is hosted by Representative Brad Jones, his wife Linda, Representative Richard Haggerty, and Senator Jason Lewis. As in years past, hundreds of local residents are expected to attend this year’s event and enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings served buffet style. Guests will enjoy a DJ and dancing at the event.
“We are excited to be able to return to a sit-down dinner this year to help celebrate the start of the holiday season with Reading’s seniors,” said Representative Jones. “Thanks to the support of my legislative colleagues, Representative Haggerty and Senator Lewis, as well as the generosity of the many local businesses and individuals who have partnered with us over the years, we are able to carry on this wonderful annual tradition for the community, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the 19th.” [Read More]
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Kick off your holiday season on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, by visiting Reading Education Foundation’s (REF) 20th annual Festival of Trees, a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by local families, organizations, businesses, and schools that festival visitors can win for themselves! This signature REF fundraising event, held at Reading’s Parker Middle School, is a magical and memorable community holiday tradition for adults and children of all ages. Fun can be had for all ages while raising money that REF provides to the Reading schools through teacher-initiated grants. [Read More]
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This holiday season, believe in magic … believe in kindness … believe in hope as Colonial Chorus Players presents Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play. Based on the beloved holiday movie, the story centers around a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal, which leads to a court case to prove his identity and whether Christmas miracles really do happen.
This production is presented as a live 1940s radio broadcast, with an ensemble cast that brings a few dozen characters to life on stage: Josh Hyatt, Ann Marie King, Ken McElroy, David Murgo, Ellie Orsburn, Tom Ostrowski, Kevin Pierson, and Laura Raynor. The show is directed by Bob Beckman and Fred Gallagher, and produced by Maryellen Kenney. [Read More]
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The Reading Community Singers is excited to present their Annual Holiday Concert, “Holidays Favorites,” on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm, at Parker Middle School, 45 Temple St, Reading, MA. Beth Mosier, as Artistic Director, and Joe Beninati as Accompanist, lead the chorus of more than 70 Singers of all ages. Included among the Choral numbers will be “Mary Did you Know?”, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “The Chanukah Song (We are Lights),” and the ageless audience favorite, the “Hallelujah Chorus.” There will also be several solo performances by talented RCS members, a featured youth choir – and look out for some other Holiday Surprises – Ho, ho, ho! [Read More]
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AVERY ABATE Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon
Favorite Quote: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” Oprah Winfrey
Favorite Subject: Anatomy and Physiology
Athletics/Activities: RMHS Gymnastics Team, Reading Gymnastics Academy, Reading Gymnastics
Academy Coach, Special Olympics Coach
Plans After Graduation: Avery plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in Exercise Science.
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Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
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