Hollywood Comes to Devens
By Ann Needle
Massachusetts has taken a big step closer to becoming the film-making mecca of the Eastern U.S. – and that means a potential boon for the area. New England Studios, with sound and film stage capacity and equipment to attract big names, world-class projects, and jobs to its surrounding towns , recently opened on the grounds of the former Fort Devens.
Built on 15 acres, at an estimated cost of $60 million, NE Studios “unofficially” opened in October to public viewing, according to Marketing Director Chris Byers. Four 18,000-sq. ft. sound stages anchor the full-service television and film facility. Other features include 24-hour gated security and video surveillance; drive-on stages; two 20′ x 20′, exterior “elephant doors’ for hauling in large equipment and sets; a complete fiber optic network throughout the complex; and a 30,000 sq. ft. office building.
Believe in Cheerleading
By Ellen Oliver
Before the Nashoba cheerleading squad takes the floor in competitive meet, they place their hands in the middle of the huddle and say in unison: “I Believe.” That faith in each other brought the team back to the Division 2 state cheerleading competition at Wachusett High School on Sunday, November 24.
Coming off a third place finish at regionals and a second place spot in leagues, the Nashoba squad’s routine earned a score of 152 points and an 11th place finish in the state meet.
According to Head Coach Tanya Beaudry, the divisions for cheerleading are realigned every two years based on school enrollment numbers. “This year, four teams in Division 2 were in Division 1 last year,” she said. “For us to make Division 2 states this year was incredible.”
The Independent Clause
Ok, who’s the joker that changed the calendar? Very funny, but now can you put January back where it belongs and bring November back? Or maybe you just changed the years and we’ve gone back to the 70s when this was more typical November weather? I really don’t want to go back to the 70s. I’ve…
Calendar
7th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K Run/Walk Please consider running, walking, or volunteering in the 7th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K. The race will take place this Thanksgiving morning (November 28th), beginning at Stow Community Park and ending at Bose in Stow. Supported by Stow Recreation, this event will donate all proceeds to Habitat for Humanity and…
Public Safety Log
Excerpts from the Public Safety Logs. Please note, arrests are made based on probable cause but do not determine guilt or innocence until proven in court. Monday November 18, 2013 9:39am ANIMAL A caller from Great Road reported a large raccoon in her yard. It appeared to be sick. The Animal Control Officer was notified…
In This Week’s Print Edition… November 20, 2013
Where to Buy a Copy Subscribe for Home Delivery Tanks & Military Vehicles Bound for Stow Rob Collings, President of the Collings Foundation based in Stow, is planning an expansion of the exhibit facility there to house a new, expansive military vehicle collection. The $30m collection was donated to the Foundation this summer, with its…
Curriculum Costs for Nashoba Budget
By Ann Needle
Last night’s Nashoba School Committee meeting hinted at more of next year’s resources being devoted to assessing performance and managing the core curriculum. Center and Nashoba Regional High Schools also reported on their activities, and administration feted the latest national recognition for the high school.
NRHS received kudos recently from Newsweek magazine, which ranked it among the top 2,000 high schools in the nation. At 451, the high school’s rank was based on such factors as graduation and college acceptance rates; average scores on major standardized tests, such as the SAT; average scores on Advanced Placement and other college-level courses; and how many students have taken at least one of the AP/college-level courses.
A Human Life Story
By Nancy Arsenault
For Stow’s Jody Newman, her most difficult personal experiences are just milestones along life’s path. For the creators of the Boston Museum of Science Hall of Human Life, unveiled last weekend, Newman’s experiences are significant enough to be featured permanently in the interactive exhibit.
The Hall of Human Life explores the human body and its systems in ways that traditional museum exhibits have never done before. Working their way through the hall, visitors learn exactly how their bodies do both simple and complex actions such as sleep, breathe and recognize faces. There are interactive stations and personal data collections that anonymously gather and feed one’s own personal responses back to the exhibit’s pool of information.
Nashoba Sends Shakespeare to India
By Ann Needle
It sports a plot seemingly ripped from reality TV, though it was written more than 400 years ago. William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes to the Nashoba Regional High School stage this weekend — with a twist guaranteed to put zip into what was already one of Shakespeare’s liveliest works.
“There are things in this that you are definitely not expecting,” stressed Director Bill Grady. “But I’d rather keep it a surprise.” For those who crave a hint: The surprise lies in a form of very, very lively, and lushly choreographed, Indian dancing.