Americal Civic Center getting a new floor...

Sep 18, 2019 by

Published September 18, 2019 By MARK SARDELLA WAKEFIELD — Soon after the Recreation Department moved its office into the Americal Civic Center several years ago, Director Dan McGrath became acutely aware that the flooring in the Drill Hall was in rough shape. “We were past borrowed time,” McGrath said, adding that the risk of someone getting hurt was a constant worry as areas of the old floor were buckling, splintering and even developing “divots” in spots. Having served on the Recreation Commission for seven years, Tony Longo also knew first-hand how bad the aging floor in the Drill Hall at the Civic Center had become. McGrath recalled that it was Longo, then a Town Councilor, who suggested trying to get state funds to replace the floor. “Tony pushed for this,” McGrath said, “as did...

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Wakefield girls’ soccer ready to make some noise in 2019...

Sep 18, 2019 by

Warriors off to a 2-1 start; host Watertown in youth game tonight Published September 18, 2019 By DAN PAWLOWSKI WAKEFIELD — If there existed strength of schedule statistics for Wakefield High sports, girls’ soccer would be at the top. Most fall teams start their campaigns against Middlesex Large opponents, but in girls’ soccer, those opponents are consistently the best in the state. There’s no break when it comes to playing Freedom Division teams either. Not with squads like Stoneham (15-1-3 last year) in the mix. Typically, gaining experience and fighting to pick up a tie against the likes of Reading, Lexington and Arlington to start the season is a fair expectation for not just Wakefield but any Freedom team. Clearly, the 2019 Warriors don’t agree. Wakefield won their first two games of the season. First, on Sept. 5 against Reading,...

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Doris A. LaSpina, 90

Sep 18, 2019 by

Member of Saint Florence Church Published September 18, 2019 WAKEFIELD — Doris A. LaSpina, 90, of Wakefield died Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Born December 20, 1928 the daughter of the late Michael and Alice (Condon) Beatty. She was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School class of 1946. Doris had been a Wakefield resident since 1950. She was a retired clerk from the former American Mutual Insurance Company of Wakefield. She was a member of Saint Florence Church and a member of the Ladies Sodality of the church. Doris was the wife of the late William P. LaSpina. She was the loving mother of Patricia Krol of Wakefield, Doris Conway and husband William of Ipswich and the late Janet Corkern. She was the sister of Arthur Beatty of South Yarmouth...

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First Baptist Church to rebuild...

Sep 17, 2019 by

Published in the September 17, 2019 edition. WAKEFIELD — A much-anticipated decision on the future of the First Baptist Church site has been made. The congregation voted on Sunday to rebuild on the site of last year’s devastating fire that destroyed the historic house of worship. “I wanted to let you know that today the congregation of First Baptist Church took a vote to rebuild on our 8 Lafayette Street site,” church moderator Melinda Parry announced on Sunday. “Applause broke out at the meeting when we took vote. We have been told that it will take 18 months to break ground and an additional year to complete construction.” The town will not soon forget the blaze that destroyed the nearly 150-year-old church. As a storm rolled through town in the early evening of last...

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Record numbers have Warrior harriers ready for another great season...

Sep 17, 2019 by

Published in the September 17, 2019 edition. By DAN PAWLOWSKI WAKEFIELD — Nearly all high school sports go through ebbs and flows in regards to participation. The Wakefield High boys’ cross country team is pretty much at high tide. With a program record 52 Warriors, head coach Perry Pappas, in his eighth season at the helm, knows how much it can change in one year, but considering the 23 freshmen on the team, it’s safe to say that one of Wakefield’s most successful programs is as strong as ever. “I’m not really sure,” said Pappas when asked why the uptick. “We have some freshmen who have had older siblings on the team, maybe they told some of their friends.” Or maybe they want to be a part of a championship run. The Warriors have...

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James R. Scrivano

Sep 17, 2019 by

Published in the September 17, 2019 edition. PICAYUNE, Miss. — James R. Scrivano Sr., of Chelsea, Mass., Mississippi, and the road, passed away on September 7, 2019, in Picayune, Mississippi after a short but hard fought illness. He attended the Williams School where he was president of his class and he graduated from Chelsea High School where he made his mark as a saxophone player, playing in the school band, the German Club Band, and performing at numerous school activities. He attended Boston University where he was the only freshman invited to join the orchestra. Known as Jimmy Vee he spent most of his life on the road. Before he was drafted he spent 26 weeks playing at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City. Jimmy was a talented saxophone player and singer and...

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