Experiencing college amidst a global pandemic: Stories told through students’ eyes...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By ALLIE HASTINGS MANY COLLEGES have added green space to their campuses to encourage students to socialize safely outdoors. Monika Stantcheva (center), a junior at Boston College, enjoys a socially-distanced picnic with friends on the converted grounds of an old gymnasium. (Courtesy Photo) NORTH READING — When COVID-19 first took the country by storm in March of 2020, schools all across the United States shut down, tasking teachers and professors with the mission to finish off their spring terms remotely in accordance with CDC guidelines. As the year started to approach the fall months and a new school semester, many undergraduate students were left to wonder what kind of decision their college or university might make – would they be forced to take Zoom classes from home, or be encouraged...

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Final tally of 2020 Christmas fund for CCS: $43,837...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — We could not me more thrilled with the community’s response to the Transcript’s 31st annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (NHNF). Generosity is certainly more bountiful than the coronavirus in our little town. With so many more people needing to turn to Christian Community Service (CCS) to make ends meet during this pandemic, it is comforting to know that those who are fortunate to have their health and their wealth are willing to share their good fortune by assisting neighbors in need. It is the balm that our society needs now more than ever. We have passed along the $43,837 donated to the fund this year to CCS, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the North Reading Food Pantry and also provides other vital services to...

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Town Election season officially opens Jan. 19...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — Who’s ready for another election? Ready or not, a new election season gets underway next Tuesday, January 19, which is the first date candidates for political offices in town may officially take out nomination papers. The town’s annual election is Tuesday, May 4. Seats on three boards plus the town moderator’s position are up for election this year. There are two seats with three-year terms on the School Committee, Select Board and Community Planning Commission (CPC) and one seat for a one-year term for Town Moderator. There are no vacancies for an elected five-year seat on the town’s Housing Authority this year; this is the year the appointed position to that board is made, state Town Clerk Barbara Stats. Election Day: May 5 The...

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Hornet boys’ basketball is grateful to compete...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By DAN NUNN SENIOR Brayden Scribner is one of three captains leading the Hornets in 2021. (NRHS Athletics Photo) NORTH READING — In a season unlike any other, in the face of uncertainty due to the fluid COVID-19 situation, the NRHS boys’ basketball team will need to count on their tri-captains and four other returning players to get through the season. “The pandemic has thrown everything out of whack and it’s certainly been an adjustment,” said head coach Joe Casey. “We are looking to establish our identity as a team and without any preseason scrimmages it’s been a big learning curve. We are leaning heavily on our three captains and our returning players to provide leadership and stability particularly in the early going.” The three returning starters in the backcourt are all captains...

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Hornet hockey falls to Triton 3-0...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By DAN ZIMMERMAN SAM ELLIOTT stops a shot during an early Triton power play on Jan. 6. The junior had plenty of big saves during North Reading’s season opener against the Vikings at Kasabuski Rink. (NRHS Athletics Photo) SAUGUS — Last season, the North Reading hockey team didn’t fare very well against Triton, losing a pair of decisions by a combined 11-1 tally. The trend continued last Wednesday night as the Hornets dropped their season-opener to their nemesis, 3-0. On the strength of a goal in each of the three periods, the Vikings skated out of Kasabuski Rink with a decisive shutout win and took with them the ambitious Hornets’ hope that they could run the table of their COVID-abbreviated 2021 schedule. That schedule, originally 10 games deep, has already begun to dwindle...

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Girls’ hoop conquer Generals in season opener...

Jan 14, 2021 by

Published January 14, 2021 By DAN NUNN JUNIOR Rose Morelli had nine points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists during North Reading’s season opening victory over Hamilton-Wenham on Jan. 5. (NRHS Athletics Photo) NORTH READING — The NRHS girls’ basketball team opened the season on Jan. 5 with a hard fought 41-37 home victory over the Hamilton-Wenham Generals.  Junior Rose Morelli stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists. Sophomore Brianne Slattery was terrific with nine points, four rebounds and two assists and senior captain Sarah Gerber was a beast on the boards with two points and 13 rebounds. NRHS roared out of the gates to a 14-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and were up 26-14 at the half.  But the visitors refused to...

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