Ongoing community initiatives can use your support

Here are some links to recent posts from organizations and town groups seeking community participation and support:

The Milton Food Pantry is participating in the Feinstein Foundation Challenge which distribute funds to food relief and distribution centers. View the original post here.

The Friends for Mike Madden, a group of local folks and work colleagues have formed a committee to raise funds to assist Mike, a treasured asset of the local soccer community, while he recovers from surgery. View original post here.

March is American Red Cross month. “The need is constant.” All is takes is a little time. View original post here.

The Milton Planning Board wants to know what you think! And they have posted an online survey to find out. This is an important effort that all Milton residents should participate in. See the original post here. NOTE: There are also printed hard copies available at local libraries, town hall, and Council on Aging.

Milton Hospital facing fierce economic challenges

The Boston Globe reports this morning that Milton Hospital is one of several Massachusetts Hospitals that is facing financial hardship as a result of declining patient volumes, lower investment income, and competition from nearby institutions.

They reports, “Standard & Poor’s, the financial rating firm, recently dropped its ranking of $44 million in Milton Hospital bonds to below investment grade, or junk-bond status.” You can read the full story here.

MHS Bulletin for 03.17.09

  • Congratulations to Mr. LoPresti, for being named Boston Globe’s All-Scholastic Coach of the Year!
  • We also congratulate Coach LoPresti for being chosen as March’s Good Goin’ Winner. Not only is he an AWESOME coach for shepherding our Boys Basketball team to victory, but he also supports our students in other sports, in music, and in drama. He’s an all-around great guy, so Good Goin, Mr. LoPresti!
  • Tomorrow, Sophomores in Group 10C will meet at 9:22 for their third session of Group Guidance. Mrs. Cove’s Juniors in Group 11B will meet at the same time for Library Lab. On Thursday, Freshmen in Group 9A will meet for their third session of Group Guidance and Mr. McPartland’s Juniors in 11C will meet for Library Lab.
  • The Observer will have a meeting after school in Mr. Tart’s room (218) on Tuesday.
  • Drama Club open meeting today for all interested in brainstorming our spring production of SNL-style skits. All are welcome — those who take part in the brainstorming will, of course, have first chance at the roles. Room 224 at 2:30.

03.08.09 – The week that was: candidates, concerts, and a Championship!

A weekly recap of key events and items of interest to the Milton community:

Chief among those this week was the MHS basketball’s thrilling MIAA Division 2 playoff run which ended with them taking the championship. The pulse pounding finish to the semifinal against Woburn is here; a post with links to stories is here; and a post on the win along with video is here.

The second of three school concerts took place. The string ensembles from the elementary, midle, and high schools treated the audience to a night at the movies, playing music from film scores.

Three candidates filed papers to run for town treasurer: Charles McCarthy, James McAuliffe and Janet Lorden. Rick Dumais, who announced his candidacy, did not file papers by the deadline.

The Planning Board meeting resumed the Citizen Speak discussion regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Temple Shalom property.

Milton Commuter Alert: Boston Road Closures for 3/15

I-93 South Approaching and through Downtown
Nighttime Multi-lane Closures

Two-to-three lanes of I-93 South will be closed at night approaching and through Downtown Monday, March 16, 2009 through Friday, March 20, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning.

These lane closures are for maintenance and inspection work.

Storrow Drive On-ramp to I-93 South
Nighttime/Early Morning Ramp Closure

The Storrow Drive on-ramp to I-93 South will be closed at night Sunday, March 15, 2009 and Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5 AM the following morning and early morning (Friday night) Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 1 AM to 5 AM.

Motorists destined for I-93 South should follow posted detour signs via Martha Road and Merrimac Street to the I-93 South on-ramp at New Chardon Street.

This closure is to allow for inspection and maintenance work.

MHS Highlights for 03.16.09

  • Key Club officers meeting after school today.
  • Open Drama Club meeting today and tomorrow for all interested in brainstorming our spring production of SNL-style skits. All are welcome –those who take part in the brainstorming will, of course, have first chance at the roles. Room 224 at 2:30.
  • Girls Lacrosse will meet today at 2:54 at Brooks Field.  Clearance card, goggles and mouth guard are necessary.  No exceptions.
  • SADD will meet after school today in room 305.

Milton among South Shore towns to benefit from earmarks in omnibus spending bill

Several South Shore projects will benefit from the $410 billion omnibus bill that was signed into law this week according to a story in the Boston Globe.  The nonprofit Residences for the Elderly will receive $595,750 through an earmark obtained by US Representative Stephen Lynch. The Milton Police department will also receive $175,000 for surveillance equipment. You can read the full story here.

Wildcats = CHAMPIONS!!! Milton wins MIAA Div 2 State Championship!

Oh my goodness! This was their day.

When the buzzer went off to start the MIAA state basketball championship between the Milton Wildcats and the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes, it was as if someone had given the Wildcats a car with a gas pedal and no brake.

miaa_winnersAnd they put the pedal to the metal and didn’t let up. The result was a dominating 81 – 44 win over Hoosac Valley, a team that couldn’t seem to get out of neutral. Milton led by 12 at the end of the first period, by 14 at the end of the second, by 33 at the end of the 3rd. They just kept going and didn’t look back. As many coaches like to say, “We are going to go with what got us here,” and so it was. Milton shined at every facet of their game: solid defense, solid teamwork, selfless play, a deep bench, and superb 3 pt shots. They neutralized the Hurricane’s chief threat, Robbie Burke. While Nick Aiken, a 5′ 8″ guard, proved a dangerous 3 pt shooter, there simply wasn’t enough fire power on their end. They could not catch a break, and the ball would not fall for them. On the Wildcat side, Marcus McDermott scored a game high 20 points followed by Emanuel Hutcherson with 11; but as with most Wildcat ball, points came from everywhere.

And then there were the fans. The Copeland Crazies staked out their usual position behind one of the baskets on two tiers and resplendent in red. After the game ended, they saluted Coach LoPresti with one of their ear splitting cheers, which he acknowledged with a grateful fist pump and wave. There was evidently quite a bit of happy fanfare (no pun intended) when the team buses returned to Milton.

Congratulations to both of these teams! They fought hard and long to get here. And thank you Coach LoPresti, Coach Donovan, and all you Wildcats for a terrific playoff run and FANTASTIC conclusion! The school system, the town, we are all so proud of you!

(P.S. Read Hoosac Valley’s comments of game here.)

Go Wildcats!! MIAA CHAMPIONS!!

View video highlights here (courtesy of Boston.com): (be patient, takes a little bit to load). Please see bottom of page for links to related coverage.

Related coverage

A breeze for McDermott, Milton (Boston Globe)

Marcus McDermott provides lift (Boston Herald)

Milton boys roar to Div. 2 state basketball crown (Wicked Local)

All things Wildcat Basketball! GO WILDCATS!!

wildcat-logo

In advance of tomorrow’s game we’ve pulled together some links of articles etc about the Milton Wildcats.

Get psyched!

In case you missed the game against Woburn or simply want to relive a bit of it, there is a video available of the electrifying final two minutes. Great stuff!  View it here.

Nice Patriot Ledger slide show here.

Coach Bill Robinson of the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes speaks about the upcoming game here.

Local freelance photographer Roy Chambers has taken some nice photos of recent games. View his photos of the Semifinal game vs Woburn here. And his photos of the Division 2 South final against Catholic Memorial here.

The Patriot Ledger has profiled some of the  Milton’s players. Here they are:

Manny being Manny: Emanuel Hucherson
One wild cat: Rene Castro
McDermott’s Shooting: Marcus McDermott

and let’s not forget those Copeland Crazies!

. . . and how ’bout them Copeland CRAZIES?!

The power and passion of the Wildcat fan base has not be lost on Coach LoPresti, the team, or the media. And none are more passionate and fiery than the white shirted maniacs known as the Copeland Crazies. They take up shop in the stands, wherever that may be, and promptly let everyone know they are there.

miaa_semifinals_crazies

A few of the faithful

It is a given that tomorrow they will be out in full force at the DCU center in Worcester and be as loud, raucous and supportive as ever.

You can find comments about the fan base by LoPresti, Atheltic Director Steve Traister, and Superintendent Gormley in a Patriot Ledger article here.