April 2023: Spring Means Time for Pole Capping, Egg Hunt and Tough Ruck

Six Bedford High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps were part of Saturday’s pole capping. By design, it took more than one attempt to get the red cap on the pole. This was done as a way to get more students involved. Courtesy photo by Chris Gittins

TOWN BOARD, COMMITTEE, AND DEPARTMENT NEWS

Bedford’s assistant health director Katharine Dagle stepped into a state position.
The Bedford Select Board on Monday approved Town Manager Sarah Stanton’s requested waiver of the 60-day notice requirement in her employment contract, and agreed to establish a seven-member screening committee – two board members and the other five at-large – to interview applicants and narrow the pool to finalists.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Bedford High School National History Day Team competed in the History Finals/Massachusetts State Competition. Evan Kelly earned second place in the documentary category.
The Bedford Public Schools’ Director of Athletics Keith Mangan has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association with the 2023 State Award of Merit.
Bedford High School senior Danielle DiGangi is the recipient of this year’s Marion Bryan Citizenship Award, sponsored by the Bedford Minuteman Company.

FEATURES

Barbara Doyle reflects on her 41 years as the first and only chief executive officer of Carleton-Willard Village.
Tate O’Loughlin, Bedford third grader aspires to be a comic book artist when he grows up. Tate shares his comic “Welcome to the Bedford Clubhouse.”
Bedford High School students Jamie and Justice Buchannan reflect on their success as student and sibling athletes.
Tom Devine looks back upon his career in law enforcement – the last 24 years with the Bedford Police Department, as he steps into retirement.
Nathifah Hussein discussed what it is like to be a Bedford High School student fasting during Ramadan. Eid al Fitr, a festival marking the conclusion of Ramadan begins at the end of this week.

SPORTS

More than 800 participants marched, jogged, and trudged through Bedford and three neighboring towns on Sunday as part of the Tough Ruck 26.2 Boston.
Sean Laffey was the top finisher among Bedford residents running in the Boston Marathon.
Two Bedford athletes, senior Jessica Lin and junior Carter Rauch, finished an incredible indoor winter track season, resulting in new school records and a trip to Nationals. They are now primed to continue their success in the spring season.

IN OTHER NEWS

There were large eggs by the Bedford Minuteman statue on Great Road for the annual egg hunt. Courtesy photo by Caroline Larson

More than 130 families came out with their kids in tow for the Annual Bedford Family Connection Spring Egg Hunt. It was a sold-out event with 200 children running through the Davis School fields collecting some of the 4,000 eggs.
The annual pole capping ceremony at Willson Park in Bedford is a tradition in town – a commemoration of the colonial period and the events that led to the American Revolution. This year’s event included a twist.
Donna Argon, the first director of Bedford’s senior center, died at the age of 94. She was celebrated as Bedford’s 13^th Citizen-of-the-Year in 1991 shortly before her retirement.
Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty hosted their annual Spring Art Soiree at their office at 51 The Great Road. The delightful evening was brimming with colorful art, the sounds of music, the aroma of tantalizing food, and the chattering voices of Bedford residents, among others.
The Bedford Council on Aging (COA) held its ninth annual Jacob Wren Throckmorton Art Show and reception on Saturday, April 6. Jacob’s artwork, along with pieces submitted by local artists, aged 55 and older, were on display for the community to enjoy.
The Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell (GIGL) board unanimously appointed Bopha Malone to lead the 107-year-old, girls-only youth-serving organization. Malone also serves as Chair of the Bedford Select Board.
The Trustees of Carleton-Willard Village (CWV), one of the earliest nonprofit continuing care communities in Massachusetts, announced that Christopher J. Golen has been appointed as its next President and CEO.
The tenant in one of Bedford’s prime retail locations informed customers that it will be closing in three months. Juan Rozon, New England Region district executive, wrote that its Santander branch at 94 Great Rd. “will be consolidating into our Lexington branch” as of the close of business on July 20.
Mezzo-soprano Natalie Lewis (BHS Class of 2017) continues to win prestigious competitions for aspiring young opera singers. Read more here.