Singing through their grief and in memory of their schoolmate Soheil Turner, who was tragically shot dead as he waited for a school bus on May 7, the Warren-Prescott School chorus took to the stage and sang their hearts out. On May 8, the chorus traveled to six Flags New England in Agawam where they participated in the Music in the Parks Choral Festival as the only elementary school against middle and high schools from across the state. With an outstanding rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” the chorus earned the highest point total and the highest rating of “superior.” The chorus won two trophies, one for best elementary school choir and one for best middle school choir. Second-grader Emily Ringrose earned a medal for best student accompanist and third-grader Chloe Shea won a medal for best vocalist.

PHOTO: From left, Adrienne, Dylan (4), Connor (6) and Chad Groff at last year’s Touch-a-truck Day. This year’s Touch-A-Truck Day takes place Saturday, June 6 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Parking Lot 1 at Bunker Hill Community College. It is free and open to the public.

Charlestown Mothers Association Board Member Adrienne Groff and her husband Chad, a GM for Aggregate Industries, a New England based construction materials company, came up with the idea to host a Truck Day in Charlestown last year. “Our boys have always loved trucks.” Adrienne said of her two sons, Connor, 6, and Dylan, 4. “Chad takes them to the plants on the weekends and they love exploring the construction trucks.”
Chad and Adrienne wanted to share that experience with other truck-loving families. After the Charlestown Mothers Association (CMA) enthusiastically embraced the idea last year, Adrienne and Chad went to work. With the help of many willing truck companies, along with the generosity of many local organizations last year, Charlestown’s first Touch-A-Truck day was unveiled.
“Turnout far surpassed our expectations. We really had no idea what to expect.
People were waiting in lines 20 people deep for their turn to try out a truck, smiling the whole time.” recalls Adrienne. More than 2,000 visitors arrived to climb on all sorts of vehicles and talk to the equipment operators. “It was wonderful to see the drivers happily showing off all the bells and whistles to their delighted audience.”
“It was really easy, while thanking everyone who participated, to say ‘see you next year,’ but, with the current economic downturn we thought it was too much to ask of people this year.” But, after a good discussion with the Charlestown Mothers Association Board, Adrienne’s mind was easily changed. The Board was again very enthusiastic and felt that this year, if anything, it was even more important to make this kind of fun family event happen for the community.
“Everyone’s budget is smaller this year, but their generosity and enthusiasm has not been diminished,” says Adrienne. “Once again, it was amazing to see the response when I started making calls.” Bunker Hill Community College was again happy to host this event.
All of the companies that contributed last year are coming again -- some offering more vehicles and some offering donations to help defray the costs for CMA. In addition, there are more organizations in and around Charlestown participating and more Charlestown residents helping put the event together.
Participating organizations include Aggregate Industries, La Farge, Bono Trucking, the Teamsters Union Local 25, Boston Sand and Gravel, the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Police Department, the Coast Guard, Boston’s Department of Public Works and Boston’s Department of Transportation, Cataldo Ambulance, UPS, DHL, Johnnies Foodmaster, and many more.
Admission is completely free for this CMA sponsored event. Attendees will also receive giveaways donated by John Doherty of Zume’s Coffee Shop and Doherty’s Flowers and the Charlestown Mothers Association. Other features will include refreshments and snacks and raffle ticket sales with fun prizes to help defray costs.

As was discussed on Charlestown online earlier in the year, this question has been pondered, yet left unanswered for generations!
And the answer is…you decide! No, we are not taking an on-line poll, having an election or selling raffle tickets; nor would Jack “the Barber” look down favorably if we let you text your answers.
So rather than tempt the spirits of Townies past, the Charlestown Historical Society will embark upon its next fact finding venture. In an effort to accumulate in one place the evidence to back-up or debunk the arguments, urban legends and boasts (lies), that have be spewed and fostered over many countertops and park benches through the years…The Charlestown Historical Society - Sports Committee would like to invite all history buffs, sports enthusiasts and Charlestown-centrists in general, to an open house to be held:

Saturday, May 30th from 3 to 5 p.m.
Bunker Hill Museum
43 Monument Square, Charlestown

We are looking for people who are interested in joining the committee for the long haul. Or, if folks just want to stop by to exchange stories, news-clippings or artifacts they are welcome to do so. We are open to all ideas.
Our goal is to eventually tell a story not just of Charlestown’s most formidable athletic legends but also to put together a picture of how sports are woven into the fabric of the community. Any events or athletes that come to mind should be brought up for consideration. We encourage people to peruse their memory banks and photo albums for footage of CYO games, pick-up basketball and sand-lot baseball for ideas. We will work to ensures that these cherished memories will not pale in comparison to the accomplishments of our most famous Townies; but rather, will be used to enrich the personal stories of all who played here.
We look forward to hearing from you. If we find an answer to that ever looming question, that would be great too. But then…what would we have to talk about?
Please e-mail any questions or ideas to the Charlestown Historical Society at editor@chs.org

The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee requests the financial support of the Charlestown community in order to continue our tradition of outstanding parades. This year’s parade will commemorate the 234th anniversary of the Battle Of Bunker Hill and will be held on Sunday. June 15, starting at 12:30 p.m.
The parade committee is dependent on Charlestown businesses, labor organizations, community groups and individuals to raise the money needed to hire the many musical units necessary for a grand parade.
The parade committee would like to thank the Patriot-Bridge for continuing the practice of acknowledging contributions of $25 or more and the filling in of the monument to show the total amount of funds received.
The Chief Marshall of the 2009 parade is Lt. Colonel John Collier, U.S. Army Ret. John attended Charlestown elementary schools and graduated from English High School. He went on to Bowdoin College where he participated in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army. His military career covered twenty years and included two tours of duty in the Republic Of Viet Nam. John is a highly decorated veteran. His many military awards include the Silver Star.
Contributions should be made payable to: The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee and mailed to:

The Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade Committee
P.O. Box 29 1776
Charlestown, MA 0219

There will be a meeting of the Parade Committee on Thursday evening, May 21 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the American Legion Hall, 23 Adams Street. Anyone interesting in assisting with this year’s and future parades is encouraged to attend.