Town celebrates summer tomorrow...

Aug 17, 2018 by

Published in the August 17, 2018 edition. WAKEFIELD — Tomorrow afternoon into the early evening, weather permitting, Wakefield celebrates the summer with its annual Festival Italia. (Organizers were meeting this morning to determine whether to postpone the festivities to Sunday.) Along closed sections of Main Street and Albion Street, there will be activities for kids, street performers, musicians, dancers, food and drink. Groups looking to raise money for their causes will be set up along the way as well, adding to the color of the 2018 edition of the festival. The action gets underway around 2 p.m. and will run until 8 p.m. Along the festival route, you can partake of the many vendors, performances, activities, or just meet up with friends and relatives to enjoy this family-oriented day. There will be something for everyone, according to...

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Brewers walk off wild game two in Twi Finals, 8-7...

Aug 17, 2018 by

Series tied 1-1; game three tonight Published in the August 17, 2018 edition. By DAN PAWLOWSKI WAKEFIELD — There’s a general consensus in town that the best fireworks in Wakefield happen on the 4th of July. The ones at Moulton in August aren’t bad either. It’s been an extremely competitive, thrilling and at times contentious Twi League playoffs. Game two of the Finals was just the latest chapter. Following a 7-2 game one win for the Highlife, the Brewers fought back in game two, responding to a four-run top of the 7th for the Highlife that tied the game, by walking off on a sacrifice fly. The Brewers took control of this one with a four-run 2nd inning off Highlife starter John Evangelista. The shorthanded Highlife, without regular starters like Eric DiTonno, Mark Sulllivan,...

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Walton will be ready for start of school...

Aug 16, 2018 by

Published in the August 16, 2018 edition. By MARK SARDELLA WAKEFIELD – The Walton School is expected to be ready for faculty and students by the Sept. 6 start of school even as “two shifts of tradesmen” are “working overtime” to complete the $6 million addition/renovation of the school before the end of summer vacation. “We do anticipate that Walton will be ready for the start of the school year,” Superintendent Douglas Lyons told the Daily Item yesterday. “The Permanent Building Committee along with (Town Administrator) Steve Maio have provided significant leadership and support to accelerate the work. Crews are working overtime to complete the project before the start of the school year. We are also anticipating that we will have access to all spaces needed to start school.” Lyons sent a memorandum to...

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Tamagini of NYC returns to Wakefield...

Aug 16, 2018 by

Published in the August 16, 2018 edition. By GAIL LOWE WAKEFIELD — Lisa-Anne Tamagini, formerly of Wakefield and now a New York City resident, did not fall far from her musical family tree. Like her mother, she pursued a career in music, voice in particular. A well-known singer and voice teacher in New York City, she has returned this summer to the town where she grew up to bring “Annie Jr.” (an abbreviated version of the original “Annie”) and “Spring Awakening” (a coming of age story respectfully and tastefully done) to the stage at The Savings Bank Theatre at Wakefield Memorial High School on Saturday, Aug. 18 and Sunday, Aug. 19. “Annie” will be presented at 2 p.m. both days while “Spring Awakening” will be presented at 7:30 p.m., also on both days. (For...

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Merchants score four in 6th to top Reds 7-5 in game one of ICL semis...

Aug 16, 2018 by

Published in the August 16, 2018 edition. By DAN PAWLOWSKI MELROSE — Too bad it wasn’t in the seventh. That’s the only possible way Joe Barry’s three-run double in the sixth inning could have been any more clutch. With a full count, two outs, bases loaded and the Merchants down 4-3, Barry wasn’t hoping for a borderline pitch he could put in the hands of the umpire and tie the game. He wanted something to hit, and he got it, sending a deep drive to left-center at Morelli Field in Melrose, clearing the bases and completing a comeback that gave Wakefield a win in game one of the the Intercity League semifinals over the Watertown Reds. “That’s why the playoffs are awesome,” said Merchants manager Dave Ellegood, who was a member of the last...

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Susanjo Caira, 54

Aug 16, 2018 by

Published in the August 16, 2018 edition. MELROSE — Susanjo (Leavy) Caira, 54, passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on Saturday morning, August 11, 2018 with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Brian Caira. Sue was born in Malden. She was raised and educated in Melrose and a 1981 graduate of Melrose High School. It was while working at her first job out of high school that she would meet her future husband Brian. They married on September 25, 1988. They would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year. Sue and Brian settled in Wakefield where they would raise their two children Robert and Elise. Sue worked as an Office Manager for Sloane Valve Company. She was the “go to” person handling human resources, payroll,...

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