Woman Frames New Business
Westford Eagle — September 1994
Like it or not, holiday gift-giving season is fast approaching. If mega-store shopping is not your style, Paula Eldridge may have the answer. Leave behind the traffic whizzing by on Route 110 and step into the quiet of Holly Hill Framing. It’s just down from American Video, ClassiKids, and Agresti’s restaurant. Proprietor Eldridge offers each customer a personal welcome.
The muted gray tones of the carpeted floor and walls, coupled with contemporary jazz tunes playing softly in the background, are the backbone of the store’s cozy ambiance. Hanging arrangements provide not only inspiration, but a diversity of framing techniques, colors, textures, openings, mats and shadow boxes. There’s just enough to spark original ideas, but not too much to overwhelm. The simplicity allows customers to be creative, with Eldridge’s expert guidance available when needed...
Making Statements In Glass
Glass Art Magazine submission — January 1995
Imagine the expertise and courage it takes to pour molten glass over a delicate lampwork design. That’s exactly what paperweight artist Debbie Tarsitano has been doing quite successfully for nearly two decades.
In 1973, the Westford artist was unknown to the world of collectors and museums. In fact, Tarsitano herself knew nothing about creating paperweights. By 1976, her work was on exhibit in museums and galleries nationwide.
The renowned Corning Museum of Glass invited Tarsitano to submit a paperweight for its 1978 exhibit “Flowers Which Clothe The Meadow — The Greatest Paperweights.” This unique display was to feature only the finest examples of paperweights, many on loan from private collections and other museums throughout the world.
The then 23-year-old viewed the personal invitation from Amory Houghton, president emeritus of the Corning Museum, the U.S. Ambassador to France and a paperweight collector, as a challenge. Tarsitano’s creation, Flowers In The Meadow, was the first lampwork paperweight to include such a massive amount of flowers of all variety and type. It was so well-received, the paperweight remains part of the Corning Museum’s collection.
Today, the name Tarsitano is synonymous with fine glass paperweight art. A list of her exhibits and shows is a virtual who’s who of fine arts.
Tarsitano, daughter of equally-renowned glass artist Delmo Tarsitano, learned her art not from her father, but rather alongside him. Delmo, who enjoyed making artistic sculptures, paintings and sketches, bought a modern glass paperweight on impulse at an antiques auction in the 1960s. Intrigued, he was soon reading books and talking to experts, intent on learning more about the unique art form...
Gingerale Idea Bubbles
Chelmsford Independent — October 1994
Like most folks too young to remember its heyday, Allen Bunker used his imagination when he drove by the abandoned Chelmsford Gingerale Company on Route 110. He thought not of hustling, bustling workers, clean glass bottles, and sparkling gold tonic, but instead created a picture of the century-old building without decades of twisted vines and grit defacing its bricks and granite.
“I enjoy old buildings. I always admired the gingerale factory while it was up,” said Bunker. Perhaps that’s not surprising, since he’s been in the construction business for more than a decade.
Bunker, who moved to Parker Road just two years ago, visited the site one day after the demolition crew had left. “Even as a kid I liked to stop and poke around. I just can’t resist,” he admitted...
Nashoba Students Go High (Bio)Tech
Westford Eagle — February 1993
Science teachers often read about techniques like gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA or protein quantitation, but rarely have the opportunity to try any of them in the classroom or to develop effective methods that make biotechnology interesting or relevant for their students.
Last month, two dozen Nashoba Valley Technical High School students got the chance most science teachers only dream about when they participated in a unique program sponsored by the Boston University School of Medicine’s CityLab, a Biotechnology Learning Laboratory funded through the Science Education Partnership Award...
Wrap Yourself In Familiar Scenes
Westford Eagle — September 1995
Christos and Helen Limperis are hoping for a cold winter and lots of community spirit — the owners of Beautiful Windows, Inc. in Westford Valley Marketplace are exclusive dealers for the 50 x 65-inch, 100 percent cotton throws featuring popular Westford landmarks...
Are You Home Alone?
Chelmsford Independent — circa 1990
Maucauly Culkin isn’t the only one who’ll be Home Alone this holiday season. If you can think of someone else who is, chances are they’d like to know about Lori Cogliano.
Cogliano and her husband, Herb, are partners in a new business venture called ‘How Are You Today?’ Up to six times daily, Lori’s voice asks subscribers if everything is okay. If it is, a simple press of the number 1 will complete the call. If there is a problem, pressing the 0 key (or giving no response at all) will kick a computerized system into action, dialing backup numbers clients provide...
Garden Club Project Will Put Town In Full Bloom Next Spring
Chelmsford Independent — August 1995
Like most avid gardeners, members of The Chelmsford Garden Club are used to planning ahead. Today, the club’s focus is on October when some 700 daffodil bulbs will be planted in seven areas around town. Brenda Lovering, chairman of the Daffodils For Chelmsford project, is credited with devising the plan that will produce an abundance of yellow King Alfred daffodils next April...
Who Needs A Wedding Consultant?
Community Newspaper Company Bridal Supplement — September 1997
Who needs a wedding consultant? Just about every bride and groom.
With more and more folks living and working in cities far away from their original home town, it is not uncommon for couples to find themselves planning a wedding long-distance. But whether it’s across state lines, across the country, or right in their own back yard, today’s brides and grooms face unique challenges in getting ready for their special day.
Now that most women today work outside the home, it’s often the little things that become overwhelming or, worse yet, overlooked until it’s too late. Brides need someone they can rely on to organize appointments and take care of details. And these days, who has the time to make appointments with six or seven different photographers before choosing?
Karen Derby of Weddings, Etc ., that’s who...
How To Rent A Limousine
Community Newspaper Company Bridal Supplement — September 1996
A late-arriving limousine can throw off the entire wedding day schedule — not to mention the havoc wreaked on the bride’s nerves. In fact, Patricia Earle and Pam Bettencourt, owners of All Occasion Limousine, say arranging for wedding vehicles is perhaps the single most important choice a couple must make. They should know. The twin sisters, who also own Dracut Limousine Service, have played an integral part in area weddings since they started their business in 1985...
“Our most unusual request was to have the ceremony in the limousine, which was stationed in the parking lot of the bar where the couple first met,” added Earle. There have been sad moments, too. Bettencourt told of a bride whose father died the night before the rehearsal dinner. The bride’s older brother stepped in to walk his sister down the aisle... Earle offered these helpful hints to help make a wedding day extra special, right from the start"
Man Gets New Lease On Life
Chelmsford Independent — June 1985
Sonora Drive resident James O’Reilly received a new lease on life Tuesday afternoon when a donor organ became available and was successfully exchanged for O’Reilly’s damaged heart in a multi-hour operation at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas...
Joslin Center Seeks Westford Doctors For Help In Nationwide Study
Westford Eagle — September 1995
November is National Diabetes Month — but if one Buckboard Drive resident had her way, people would think about diabetes all year long.
Debbie Conboy is the Joslin Diabetes Center’s Trial Coordinator for a nationwide study to determine if insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) can be prevented.
Researchers at 10 diabetes centers nationwide are recruiting relatives of people with IDDM (also called juvenile diabetes) to be screened for two specific antibodies associated with eventual development of the chronic, debilitating disorder...
A Technical Knockout
Chelmsford Independent — June 1993
One of Ricky Bijlani’s earliest memories is learning how to add and subtract. His parents tell him he was three years old. Before long, he was multiplying and dividing, too. Bijlani remembers how, as a little boy, he loved to take things apart, see how they worked, and put them back together again.
“I was always curious and interested in learning,” he said.
Last week, the young man’s love of math and quest for knowledge helped him earn the honor of being selected Valedictorian for the Nashoba Valley Technical High School Class of 1993. Ironically, he spent his entire senior year away from his classmates at Nashoba Tech, returning only for graduation ceremonies.
Last year, Bijlani, a senior at the vocational/technical high school, was a full-time student at Middlesex Community College. Nashoba Tech and MCC have a dual-admissions program which allows qualified seniors to earn college credits during their senior year at the Tech...
Brink’s Bandit Nabbed In Drum Hill Drug Arrests
Chelmsford Independent — February 1985
Customers at the Drum Hill Dunkin’ Donuts shop got more than the usual cream and sugar with their coffee and doughnuts last Saturday, when a daylight drug bust unfolded in their midst. When the dust settled, Chelmsford and State Police, in a cooperative effort, had arrested two reputed underworld figures — Vincent Costa, 72. and Ivan Brown, 55, — on drug charges.
Costa, one of a group of 11 men who stole $1.2 million from the Brink’s building some 30 years ago, and Brown, who is on parole from a state prison sentence in New York, were arrested following what police termed a drug deal. Police Chief Raymond McKeon said no customers or employees in the shop knew what was happening, nor were they in any danger...
Archery Camp Is On Target
Chelmsford Independent — March 1994
Anthony Bellettini is a straight shooter. His aim is to teach the nation’s young people about archery. By all accounts, he’s right on target. Last summer, he taught his favorite sport to young people all over Massachusetts.
As a child, Bellettini wanted to learn how to shoot arrows, but never got the chance. He lived in Brooklyn, NY. His only contact with the great outdoors was on the roof of his apartment, where he would count the stars. Inside, he counted different stars — the ones found on the television screen. He loved to watch old movies like The Adventures Of Robin Hood, where heroes shot arrows...
Neighbors Call For Safety Measures At Dangerous Curve
Chelmsford Independent – January 1994
Brian Finnegan teaches CPR and First Aid to McCarthy Middle School students. Last Thursday night, he thought he would finally have a chance to use his certified skills in a genuine emergency situation. While that was unnecessary, at least one young lady is probably grateful he was nearby.
Finnegan, who lives at #97 Westford Street, was the first to arrive on the scene after a 17-year-old Courtland Drive woman’s car rolled over and landed upside down in the driveway at #100. Finnegan’s son Mike heard the thud first. He looked out the window and saw the Honda Accord, its wheels still spinning freely in the frigid night air. He alerted his dad, who dialed police for help, threw on a coat and bolted out the door. “When I got there, I heard music still coming from the car radio. I saw a hand dangling down. I could tell it was a female. I told her she was okay, to undo her seatbelt and let go, but I couldn’t get her out the driver’s side,” he explained...
Official Search For Clues In Unsolved Angel Mystery
Chelmsford Independent — July 1994
An all points bulletin has been issued for anyone with information leading to the identification of two angels found hiding in the attic of the former North Town Hall on Princeton Boulevard.
According to Town Manager Bernard Lynch, the four-foot tall angels, wings permanently spread, pose no threat to anyone in the community. The mirror-image cherubs, who each hold a body-length, electric golden torch, were discovered some months ago when Building Superintendent Ted Godfroy was preparing the structure for sale.
Godfroy said the angels were “just standing there,” behind Pop Warner football equipment stored in the attic of the former North Town Hall. He thinks they might have been props that were used on either side of the stage in the building’s auditorium.
Godfroy said the angels have dirty faces. And the rest of their heavenly bodies aren’t too clean, either. Their ages remain unknown. Weight is estimated to be about 60 lbs. each...
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