ALL ARE WELCOME "Run For Your Lunch" 5.5K fights hunger in Middleboro, MA

Fighting Hunger in our communities is important as too many in our own towns and cities deal with hunger on a daily basis.

One woman in Middleboro, MA is making a big difference "one meal at a time"

Road race benefits Middleboro community kitchen

Taunton, MA — Taunton Gazette 01/20/13

More than 200 participants in the second annual Run for Your Lunch raced five and a half kilometers before dining at the finish line on Sunday.

It was all to help All Are Welcome community kitchen in Middleboro, which is a type of restaurant with a policy of asking its patrons to pay what they can afford for a meal.

“I think it’s fabulous for everyone to come out and support us,” said Karen Cook, who founded All Are Welcome last year, opening it in March 2012 using funds from the inaugural Run for Your Lunch Race. “I have friends in road race community. It’s a fun thing to do. To put the community kitchen work and the running together is a lot of fun. We’ve got a lot of community support.”

Each participant paid at least $20 to run the road race and to have a lunch of clam or corn chowder, along with freshly baked bread and desserts. The race was based at the North Congregational Church.

All Are Welcome operates twice a week inside Middleboro’s Episcopal church, the Church of Our Savior on Union Street. On Thursdays a community meal is offered at lunch time, featuring soups, salads, sandwiches and special hot dishes, while breakfast is served on Saturdays.

The concept of the community kitchen is to provide restaurant-quality service while relieving hunger, Cook said. More fortunate guests pay what they feel is is a fair price and more if they wish to contribute additionally to the cause, while those who are fairing less well financially can pay what they can or volunteer.

Cook said the model has been working well since All Are Welcome opened.

“We are starting to see the need of the community and are starting to reach the community who needs us,” she said. “Whether you’re poor or not, you should be made to feel welcome and should appreciate the meal. We serve in a church, but we are definitely a restaurant. We are not a soup kitchen. We try to provide a restaurant atmosphere. For the most part, it seems to be working.”

For Paul Nickerson, of Middleboro, it was his first road race. Asked how it felt, his one-word response was “tiring.”

Nickerson said he knows for sure that the 2013 Run for Your Lunch was for a good cause, because he has eaten at All Are Welcome and said the food served there is excellent.

“This race was a good time, and there’s a sense of accomplishment,” Nickerson said. “The community kitchen is a good cause. I’ve had breakfast a few times and it’s good stuff.”

Sunday’s road race was also dedicated to Mary DuPont, a member of the board of All Are Welcome who died of pancreatic cancer on Nov. 11. All Are Welcome pledged to donate $1 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for every pre-registered entrant in the 2013 Run for Your Lunch race.

Runners like Adam Petti, 15, of Raynham, said he knew DuPont’s story and that everyone was wearing orange in honor of her.

“It’s good when a community comes together and helps different causes,” Petti said.

One of the youngest participants in the road race was Raynham’s Gregory Melusky, who is 10 years old. Melusky said he was proud to help out All Are Welcome.

“The race was tough and it felt longer than it really was,” Melusky said. “I think the All Are Welcome is a great cause. I like to support it because there are some people out there who don’t have any food to eat. Raising money here is giving those people an opportunity to have a lunch and breakfast.”

 

The media driven Bullshite regarding swearing in Middleboro, MA

It's time to clear the air about the whole issue of swearing in my hometown of Middleboro, MA.

1. The anti-swearing rule has been on the books in Middleboro since 1968. 

Yes, read that again 1968. 

The statute was approved that year and was designed to make use of vulgar language similar to what they now call " hate speech" where police could summons someone to court for use of vulgar language in a manner that would be similar to verbal assault and battery.

2. The "new" aspect of this is the Chief of Police simply was trying to make a change so that his officers could issue a ticket for this type of issue instead of having to go through an arrest or summons.  The local ordinance would be still in effect with that one minor change.

3. The MEDIA have ginned this up into something it is NOT.  Like many issues, the MEDIA reported it wrong and the story has gone around the world and has attracted this low-rent activist to come to our fine village to put on a Media covered spectacle.

4. The citizens of Middleboro would like the reporters to work on producing stories about how our country is failing in education, falling behind on innovation, better ways to create good jobs for the citizens and leave stories like this where they belong, lining the bottom of a bird cage.

As a resident of Middleboro, I would like to tell the media types who will cover this huckster's demonstration that there are larger problems that need coverage and you should all focus your attention on our country's REAL problems ( The economy, unemployment, the Federal budget, failing politicians, lack of trust in ourleaders, etc. etc.) instead of the sideshow that will take place on Town Hall lawn today.

To the media idjits, I would ask how about you go back to being journalists for a change ??  It would be a much welcome change from the crappola I see passed off as news.


Town OK with activist’s cuss-fest demonstration
By Laurel J. Sweet  |   Monday, June 25, 2012 
|  http://www.bostonherald.com  | 

A tart-tongued activist hosting today’s “Free (Expletive) Speech Demonstration” at Middleboro Town Hall to protest the town’s $20 fine for cursing in public is inviting President Obama — in Boston today — to come on down, take up a bullhorn and join him in swearing up a blue streak ... for freedom!

“In fact, I invite all politicians who believe in freedom of speech to join us,” Adam Kokesh, a libertarian Internet talk show host, told the Herald in a phone interview from New Hampshire’s Porcupine 2012 Freedom Festival.

Town Moderator Wayne C. Perkins said TV trucks were parked outside town hall yesterday as interest in the swearing story persisted. He said Kokesh doesn’t need a permit so long as he and his supporters limit their outburst to dirty words and he has “no security concerns.”

“Let’s face it, people have a right to voice their opinion,” Perkins said. “If I see Secret Service here, then I’ll be concerned.”

Kokesh said the only exchange he plans to have with police is, “Have a nice (expletive) day.”

The “swear-in” is set for 12:30 to 1 p.m. — Kokesh said he wants to be foul-mouthed, but he doesn’t want to be disruptive — and he expects as many as 200 people to blaspheme about the 183-50 Middleboro Town Meeting vote earlier this month to establish a $20 fine for potty talk. The measure is under review for its constitutionality by the Attorney General’s Office.

“This is about standing up to a bully — maybe a bully in the form of 183 voters and a police department, but a bully nonetheless,” said Kokesh, 30, an Iraq war veteran and anti-war protester who stumped for Ron Paul’s campaign for president.

“I think it’s child abuse to tell your children that certain words have an emotional power that can cause sensitivity or hurt people’s feelings. Language is a tool. You can use it for good or bad. But a word should never be taboo,” said Kokesh, who was arrested in Washington, D.C., last year for taking part in a flash mob protesting the prohibition of dancing at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Selectman Stephen McKinnon, who said he’s been approached about the ban by reporters from ABC News and the BBC, said he doesn’t have much time for the ban himself. “We have bigger problems in our town than worrying about cussing.”

Cross in Middleboro, MA since 1959 now offends an unnamed lawyer

There have been a number of issues from people who are       " offended " because of a cross being displayed in a public area. The protesters claim it offends them and that by allowing it, the country is sanctioning one faith over another.

Bullshite.

This country is a predominantly Christian-Judeo nation. We were founded on the freedom of religion, not non-religion. I am sorry that as an atheist, sun worshiper or member of some other belief, you feel that you are " offended " by anything that doesn't please you personally. I have three words for you -

Get Over Yourself.

This is a prime example of a case of "Tyranny of the Minority" plain and simple. Kudos to the Middleboro Selectmen for having the common sense needed to respond positively to  crappola from someone who got all worked up about a cross that has stood by the side of the road since 1959 in Middleboro, MA.

My final words to the unnamed Boston lawyer who made a stink about the cross in Middleboro

- Get a life.

Cross erected in 1959 draws controversy

By JANE LOPES - Middleboro Gazette Editor


MIDDLEBORO — It's 12 feet high by 7 feet wide, but it's likely that few people who drive by pay much attention.


The brick cross was erected in 1959 by the Kiwanis Club on a small triangle of land where one takes a right turn to head toward Middleboro center near the Trucchi's shopping center. The triangle and the cross have benefited from the ministrations of club members and other local organizations over the years, but the cross — which exhorts passersby to "worship" any way they choose, according to current Kiwanis President Robert Kinney — is in a fairly bedraggled state. Recently, someone stole the "worship" message from one side, presumably to obtain the copper backing.


Meanwhile, a Boston attorney passing through town around Christmas time last year noticed the cross and protested to the state Department of Transportation on the grounds that the cross violates the "separation of church and state" guarantee in the Constitution. MassDOT investigated and determined that all but three feet of one arm of the cross sits on town land. The attorney who complained to the state has been in touch with Kiwanis officials, but has taken no legal action to date.


Mr. Kinney appeared before the selectmen Monday night looking for support, which he received, for a plan to beautify the traffic triangle and preserve the cross.


"It's sitting there and looking pretty bad," Mr. Kinney said of the cross, which is believed to be one of a kind in terms of its design and construction. "The triangle it's on is really shabby."


In recent years, Mr. Kinney said he has tried to spruce up the area by fertilizing the grass and with plantings. But the salt spread during the winter on the nearby state highway, Rte. 28, damages the vegetation.


Mr. Kinney said he has some ideas about long-term preservation of what is, in his view and that of others, an historic landmark. He said the state has an "adopt a visibility" program where it assists local groups and businesses to preserve such landmarks. The care and maintenance of the triangle and the cross could be an Eagle Scout project, he said, or a project for all the town's service clubs.


Chairman of Selectmen Al Rullo wondered whether it makes sense to invest a significant amount of time and money in the project given the potential legal issues.


"This is going to be some legal issue," he said. "It's like a tree hanging over a property line. If the state decides they can't have that on state property ... I assume it can't be moved."


Mr. Kinney said he believes that is unlikely. He said pending resolution of the legal issues, he would at least like to "put some plants around short term and see what happens."


Selectman Stephen Spataro made a motion for the selectmen to support whatever efforts the Kiwanis Club or other groups undertake, and to offer guidance from the town's DPW.


"That's a landmark, for sure," he said.


His colleagues voted in favor of the motion.

ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL....VOTE ADAM BOND in Middleboro, MA

Tip O'Neill, former Speaker of the House stated, " All Politics is local ". I could not agree more.

VOTE ADAM BOND for the 12th Bristol District Massachusetts House in the September 6th Primary and the General Election on November 6th.

RUN FOR YOUR LUNCH 5.5K Road Race - Jan. 15th, 2012

I am posting the enclosed info along regarding an upcoming Road Race & Fund Raiser for Middleboro, MA based ALL ARE WELCOME in Middleboro, MA on Sunday January 15th, 2012. The race will start & finish at North Middleboro Green, 38 Plymouth Street, North Middleboro, MA 02346 at 1:00 p.m.

You can sign up at their website - www.allarewelcome.us

ALL ARE WELCOME is working to fight hunger and food insecurity in our community by establishing a Donation Cafe & Bakery in Middleboro that allows all to have access to good nutritious food regardless of their ability to pay for a prepared meal. The target is to raise $5000 to start serving nutricious meals in February 2012 to those in need in our community. Even if you are not from our local area, your support is needed as many hands can lift a heavy load.

The RUN FOR YOUR LUNCH 5.5K road race will allow ALL ARE WELCOME to get the operation up on it's feet and start serving the community. Run, Walk and/or join them for lunch to support a great cause.

You can contact Karen who is the Executive Manager at her email address manager@allarewelcome.us or her phone 508-443-0243. ALL ARE WELCOME also has a mailing address of ALL ARE WELCOME, P.O. Box 1244, Middleboro, MA 02346

Any support you can lend would be deeply appreciated. Even if you don't run, you can join them for lunch on Jan. 15th as your purchase of lunch the day of the race will also support ending food insecurity in our community. All contributions (large & small) are important to helping meet the goal. Please send this info along to others you know who might be able to assist.

Thanks again for all your help.

The Scott Brown effect & " All Politics is local "

Things are moving in the right direction politically here in the bluest of blue states. Voters are finally seeing that having one party dominate the political landscape is NOT best for the taxpayers or citizens.

Case in point, US Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts. He was known in his district as a State Rep. and a State Senator but not much well known statewide. He put his message out to the voters and was elected to the Senate seat that Ted Kennedy had held for over 48 years. The voters were starting to see that they needed someone who would speak for them and not just lock step to what the Democratic majority wanted.

2nd case in point is much more local, as there was an election to fill a vacant state rep's seat in my home district. The seat had been held by a democrat for over 30 years. A son of a well known political family ran with backing from the Unions.

HE LOST even though he out spent his opponent, a not as well known citizen who decided that we needed someone who could make a difference. The Unions bet heavy that they would get their candidate in but lost as voters saw that having another rubber stamp in place for the Unions was not in the best interest of the district.

IF we can get the voters to see this with the nationwide elections next November, there is a better chance for our country to move forward. If we stay as it is now, with an ineffective President and a do-nothing Senate controlled by the Democrats, we will be stuck in place. We need to elect people who will work to really make a change, not just lecture us and call us "lazy" like the President does.

It can happen and it did happen here in Massachusetts. Let's make it happen for the rest of the country too. Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil said, " All Politics is local." He was right.

Lakeville Republican Keiko Orrall won after being outspent
State House News Service
Posted Nov 22, 2011

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Republican Keiko Orrall bucked a campaign finance trend by defeating an opponent who outspent her during the run up to a special election in September.

Orrall’s win flipped the 12th Bristol seat from Democratic control for the first time in more than 30 years. In addition to New Bedford and Lakeville, the district includes parts Taunton, Middleboro and Freetown.

Campaign finance statistics released Monday show Middleboro Democrat Roger Brunelle, a commercial and industrial painter and 19-year member of a painters union, outspent Orrall, $39,727 to $26,179 and also benefited from $11,475 in independent expenditures from the Massachusetts Teachers Association and $6,301 from 1199 SEIU. Brunelle also received support from Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.

Orrall’s campaign contributions included $8,636 from the Marlborough Republican City Committee and $3,241 from the Republican State Committee.

Orrall won the seat given up by Stephen Canessa, a New Bedford Democrat who left to take a post at Southcoast Health Systems. Voters in Lakeville turned out in greater numbers than nearby New Bedford precincts, choosing Orrall by a three-to-one margin.

Project Life Saver’s GPS system saves a life

Great ideas come from individuals who have a desire to make improvement to the status quo. Ed Beaulieu of Middleboro, MA founded Project Lifesaver to save lives.

Project Lifesaver is a small non-profit that provides GPS bracelets for Alzhiemers patients that can wander away from their homes and get
injured. Ed's efforts saves lives.

Bravo Zulu to Ed for making a difference.

GPS device helps locate Middleboro woman
By Alice Elwell
Enterprise correspondent
Posted Oct 07, 2011

MIDDLEBORO — Project Life Saver’s GPS system was instrumental in locating an elderly woman who wandered from her home early Friday morning.

Police Chief Bruce D. Gates said the woman was reported missing from her Rocky Meadow Street home at 3 a.m.

Sgt. Joseph M. Perkins scrambled the State Police air wing and called in officer Jerry J. Donahue and his dog, Caro, while officers Mark E. Meaney, Richard Harvey and Nathan J. Ferbert began searching.

Gates said Project Lifesaver activated a tracking device the woman was wearing on a bracelet and within 90 minutes she was found a few houses away, sitting in a neighbor’s van in her nightgown and shivering, Gates said.

Gates said an ambulance took her to Jordan Hospital in Plymouth to be checked.
Project Life Saver was donated to the town by the Future of Middleboro Trust.

Gates said several residents wear the bracelets for emergency situations. Gates said Ed Beaulieu, a trustee, raised the money by selling a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle of the Town Hall.

“It worked great and did what it was designed to do,” Gates said of the bracelet.

Middleboro Soldier visits his little Sister at School before deployment

This is the 2nd Good News story of the day...Glad to share courtesy of the Brockton Enterprise

Middleboro soldier surprises his little sister at school
Jun 08, 2011 - Brockton Enterprise

Army Private 1st Class Joshua S. McLaughlin is bound for Afghanistan after he spends a week at home in Middleboro following combat training at Camp Attlebury, Ind. He visited his 9-year-old sister at her school on Tuesday.

Female Soldier From Middleboro, MA Awarded Purple Heart

(Enclosed picture is of the Town of Middleboro, MA Veterans Park, built by the Veterans of Middleboro, MA)

It is no surprise that MIDDLEBORO, MA produces men & women who go on to serve in our military with distinction. Middleboro has produced TWO Medal of Honor recipients, Patrick Regan from WWI and HM3 Wayne Caron, Navy Medic from the Vietnam War.

The history of Middleboro shows that this farm community in the Southeastern Massachusetts also holds the distinction of being home to a Revolutionary War Hero, Deborah Sampson who served disguised as a man for a few years until gravely wounded on the field of battle.

BRAVO ZULU to our own, Deidra Neeley - YOU make all of Middleboro proud for your dedication to country and selfless service.

Female Soldier From Middleboro Awarded Purple Heart
May 21, 2011 2:32 PM
WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Doug Cope reports

MIDDLEBORO (CBS) – A Middleboro servicewoman received a huge honor on Saturday.

Deidra Neeley became the first female ever in Massachusetts to receive a Purple Heart.

Neeley was a combat medic when she was wounded in on August 27, 2009 in Afghanistan.

“It’s an honor. Of all the firsts I could have done, I definitely wasn’t choosing to get injured,” said Neeley.

Both Neeley and her husband remain on active duty and work at Walter Reed Hospital Washington, DC.