PHOTO: Every second counts

SPORTS: Red Raiders bring the hammer down on Winchester

Veterans helping those in need

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Local Headline News, Melrose News, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Veterans helping those in need

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition MELROSE — The Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veteran Services District will be accepting donations for those in need during this holiday season. Donations will go to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans and to Rosie’s Place. Those living in these locations are in need of basic “everyday” items. Through our offices we would like to gather as many of the following new, unopened products for men and women. • Combs/brushes • Deodorants • Soap • Shaving cream • Razors – men’s and women’s • Unscented lotion • Shampoo • Conditioner • Dry shampoo • Baby power • Toothpaste • Tooth brushes • Mouthwash (alcohol free) • Dental floss • Lip balm • Nail clippers • Tampons/pads • Crossword books • Cribbage boards • Playing cards • Dominoes All donations can be dropped off at one of our three locations below during normal business hours. Please have all donations in by Dec. 1, 2017 at 12 noon. • Melrose: 562 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176 • Wakefield: 30 Converse St., Wakefield, MA 01880 • Saugus: 298 Central St., Saugus, MA...

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Melrose Station supports ‘Greenlight a Vet’ project

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Local Headline News, Melrose News, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Melrose Station supports ‘Greenlight a Vet’ project

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition MELROSE — The Residence at Melrose Station (www.residencemelrosestation.com) located at 158 Essex St., announces that the community will be participating in “Greenlight A Vet,” a campaign created by Walmart to create visible national support for U.S. veterans by having businesses and households display a green colored light. The Residence at Melrose Station is collaborating with CAREtenders Visiting Nurse Association on the campaign and providing free green light bulbs to the public. Those who would like to participate are invited to pick up a free green light bulb at The Residence at Melrose Station from October 23 through November 10 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  The green bulb is then to be used, preferably outside, in place of an existing regular light bulb for the month of November, or beyond, to show your support and appreciation for our veterans. The Greenlight a Vet campaign is designed to raise awareness and support for men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Learn more about it at greenlightavet.com. Owned and operated by LCB Senior Living (www.lcbseniorliving.com), the Residence at Melrose Station offers the area’s finest independent, assisted, and memory care assisted living for local seniors. Independent Living residents at The Residence at Melrose Station have private apartments with a kitchenette and bath, along with the peace of mind of 24-hour security, three nutritious meals prepared and served “Anytime Dining” style on-site, available laundry and cleaning services, a full engagement program, building and grounds maintenance, and a host of optional services. Assisted Living residents have all of the above, along with assistance with the activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, medication reminders, and other services. The community also includes LCB’s renowned Reflections Memory Care services for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. In addition to offering sophisticated cognitive programming and a range of daily services, Reflections is a secure, safe environment with its own common areas, walking courtyard, and other amenities. All programming was developed in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. LCB Senior Living, LLC is a leading senior housing operator and developer with roots that go back to 1994. Headquartered in Norwood, the LCB team was among the region’s first Assisted Living providers. The company owns and/or operates communities throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, offering the finest Independent, Assisted and Reflections Memory Care living options. Further information can be found on the community’s website (www.residencemelrosestation.com) or by calling...

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MAAV walk, vigil Sunday

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Local Headline News, Melrose News, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on MAAV walk, vigil Sunday

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition MELROSE — The Melrose Alliance Against Violence invites the entire community to its 22nd Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil starting at the Veterans Middle School Auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m. Plan on coming a little early to get settled. The weather looks great, and organizers hope everyone can join them for what promises to be a fantastic day. The walk and vigil are important events meant to shine a light on domestic and dating violence, and to bring home the necessity of ending them. MAAV works to break the cycle of domestic violence through community awareness, resources and support for victims, training for professionals, and education and prevention programs for youth. You can find out more at http://www.maav.org This is one of the organization’s signature events of the year. Stop by and check things out. You’ll be glad you...

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Red Raider soccer proves top of the league

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Sports, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Red Raider soccer proves top of the league

Melrose (6-1) on cusp of playoffs, league title Published in the October 20, 2017 edition By JENNIFER GENTILE MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider soccer team has led a quiet campaign in the Middlesex Freedom League, where they enjoy a current 6-1 record. Melrose has lost two games over the course of the 2017 season and at 6-2-5, are one win away from a tourney bid. If they beat rival Watertown on Thursday (post deadline) they can help clinch their second straight league title. According to coach Dean Serino, some critical games this week will determine their future. “We want to win another title, and we are very close to playoffs. But we’re going to maintain focus and take it one game at at time.” Melrose helped their cause with a 4-0 league win over Stoneham on Tuesday night at Stoneham High. Melrose enjoyed a 2-0 lead at halftime thanks to goals by Cam Rosnov and Lance DeSelm. Melrose broke it open in the second half with goals from Stian Forsberg and Miguel Contreras. Goalie Jared Dowell earned another shutout at the net, keeping the Spartans scoreless in both halves.  “It was a good team win and everyone contributed,” says the coach. “And Stoneham played competitively. This was a big game for us and we needed it.” Melrose enjoyed solid defense and midfield play courtesy of Lucien Carbonneau, Pete Wiesen and Will Pzegeo. “I thought we moved the ball well, played strong at the middle. And Jared came through with us at the net.” The Red Raiderss strength this season has been its adaptability, something Serino touched upon. “What I like about this team is the players are interchangeable. They fill in for each other, move to different spots. It works and they enjoy it that way. I think it’s a sign that they are real students of the game.” This year, nearly half of Melrose’s games have ended in ties. “We’ve had a lot,” says Serino. “There have been good ones and bad ones. Our first one against Arlington was a good one. Later in the season, our ties with Reading and Belmont were more disappointing because we let them back into the game. But the good thing is, we learn from these ties. We review the game and see what we did wrong and how to right it. We don’t want to get upset over it.”  As for a (likely) playoff run? “Right now, we want to take it one step at a time,” Serino said. “This team supports each other and love the game and that will always serve us well.” Melrose next travels to Wakefield on Tuesday, then hosts their final regular season game against Burlington on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6:30...

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Red Raiders bring hammer down on Winchester

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Sports, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Red Raiders bring hammer down on Winchester

Melrose (6-0) thinking playoffs after 46-14 victory Published in the October 20, 2017 edition By LUC SULLIVAN MELROSE—The Melrose High School football team showed up in spectacular fashion at the Fred Green Memorial Field on Friday, October 13 with a 46-14 win by a mile against the Winchester Sachems, to remain undefeated at 6-0 at the top of the ML Freedom League.  Melrose dominated early after forcing a Winchester turnover with six minutes left in the first. The Raider offense took over at the Melrose 19 yard line and opened with three Rey Guity handoffs that put them on the Winchester 41 yard line. On the ensuing handoff to Isaac Seide, a blitz forced Seide to make the cutback and break two tackles on his way to another Raider first down. After a Stanton QB keep and a Rey Guity bolt up the middle, the Raider offense were situated just outside of the Winchester red zone. Colin Kiernan found an alley into the end zone for Melrose’s first touchdown with two minutes left in the quarter. Melrose stalled Winchester’s next drive, thanks to defense from Dylan Robertson and a monster hit by Kevin Peete that broke up a sure-catch. After a Sachem punt, Melrose began the domination once again with QB Charlie Stanton zinging a pass to Michael Fennell for a gain of fifteen yards. Rey Guity took the following handoff for a huge gain, zipping up the left sideline, shaking off one tackler and bringing the rock another 10 yards before finally being brought down. On the next play and the last of the first quarter, Guity made an excellent effort at the Winchester 45 yard line, somehow holding onto a pass after turning upfield and taking a crushing high-low hit from two Winchester defenders. Guilty would come out of the game and not return. The second quarter opened up with Isaac Seide bolting up the left sideline on an end-around for a first down, and then Gabriel Nyland hauling in a 30 yard Stanton bomb and sprinting into the end zone for a Melrose touchdown. An extra point made the score Raiders 13-0 with 10 minutes left in the second. The Sachems saw their next drive thwarted by Charles Femino and Colin Kiernan to set up a crucial 3rd and 10 at the Winchester 40. As the Sachem QB took the snap and dropped back looking for targets, but Melrose’s Kevin Peete broke up another pass and forced the punt. Seide received the next punt and took off past the 50 yard until finally brought down at the Winchester 40. Jack Sullivan hopped in the pilot seat at QB for Melrose with great field position and took the first down snap up the middle for a solid 8 yards before handing off to Seide who brought the Raiders to the Winchester 25. Two more handoffs for short gains brought the situation to 3rd and 3. From there, Colin Kiernan took the handoff up the middle through traffic, ping-ponging into the end zone and catapulting the score to Melrose 19, Winchester 0 with five minutes left in the first half. Winchester finally got their wheels turning on their next possession, carrying the ball downfield and scoring their first points of the night, leaving 2:35 on the clock. The Raiders had a solid go of a 2 minute drill but couldn’t...

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Girls’ swim team leaving rivals in their wake

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Sports, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Girls’ swim team leaving rivals in their wake

After Wakefield win, Melrose shines among small schools Published in the October 20, 2017 edition By JENNIFER GENTILE MALDEN—The Melrose Lady Raiders swim team are knocking out local teams, including rival Wakefield in a 87-81 thriller that took place on Oct. 12. Melrose remains 4-5 on the season, with postseason on the horizon, and remain undefeated in “league” play. “This was an outstanding team effort,” said coach Deb Deacon. “We had a lot of personal best times. I knew Wakefield was going to be a tough team. We had to swim our best, not make mistakes and the place finishes would determine the meet.” Melrose started off strong, taking the top spot in the 200 Yard Medley Relay for an 8-6 lead thanks to efforts from swimmers Molly Williams, Virginia Guanci, Maddie Hughes and Jen Kahler. In the next race, Molly Williams clinched first place in the 200 free to tie it,15-15. Virginia Guanci also clinched first, which kept it a tied meet at 23-23. But Melrose broke ahead in the 50 free, with Sam D’Allesandro (1) and Jen Kahler (2) sweeping the top spots, and that gave Melrose a 33-29 advantage.  Maddie Hughes came up big for Melrose in the 100 fly (first). D’Allesandro took the 100 free to help Melrose take a lead of 53-41. Molly Williams clinched the 500 free, and the 200 free relay team of Kahler, Guanci, Williams and D’Allesandro also took first, which gave Melrose a larger lead of 72-52. Wakefield was back in the meet with a first place finish in the 100 backstroke, but Virginia Guanci placed first in the 100 breast, which allowed Melrose to pull away 87-69. In the final event of the day, the 400 free, Melrose earned a critical first place finish behind efforts of Olivia DeCecca, Natasha Brown, Maddie Hughes and Sam D’Allesandro. Wakefield’s solid 2-3 finish narrowed the gap, but Melrose prevailed in the meet, 87-81. Deacon credited the collective effort. “There is more to winning a meet than first place finishes. Natasha Brown has been stepping up in many events and Olivia DeCecca has been a solid contributor. Both will be Sectional contenders in a relay event.” Equally important for the team are decreased times, and those are happening at a rapid rate. Melrose capt. Josefa Baeza Diaz, Grace Nally, Delia Frederick, Jennifer Kahler and newcomer Melissa Aguirre have all dropped times. And some of the swimmers will see their season extended in post season competition.To date, Melrose has several swimmers qualifying for State and Sectional competition.They include Sam D’Alessandro, Virginia Guanci, Madeline Hughes, Jennifer Kahler, Molly Williams and all relays. Melrose may go 4-0 in league. Wait, what league?  It’s hard to overlook that in any other sport, the Melrose girls’ swim team would very likely be league champs (Freedom League Champs) and the banner in the MMVS gymnasium would reflect it. One problem: there is no such thing as the Middlesex Freedom League for girls’ swim. The question of why struck the chord of Deacon.  “The team is reminded of this almost daily,” she said. “They ask why we aren’t broken down into Freedom/Liberty. In our eyes, if we win against Stoneham, we are the “Deb and Cassie’s Small Schools Middlesex League Champs.” It would be a title the swimmers have worked very hard for and are very deserving of all season.” Currently, Wilmington is the only school...

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Annette C. Kirkland, 81

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Obituaries, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Annette C. Kirkland, 81

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition MELROSE — Annette C. (Nickerson) Kirkland, of Melrose, died at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem on October 10, 2017 at the age of 81. Annette was born and raised in Cambridge and was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge High School. She resided in Cambridge until 1966, in Somerville for five years and Melrose since 1971. Mrs. Kirkland worked as a Shipper for Automatic Radio and at Tympanium Corporation for over 25 years. She loved taking long rides with her husband Fred and enjoyed traveling to Florida and Montreal, Canada. Annette like doing word search puzzles, watching Days of Our Lives and Perry Mason and loved her weekly phone calls with her brother Barney in Colorado. She especially enjoyed the times spent with her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Frederick N. Kirkland for 58 years. Loving mother of Linda J. MacLaren and her husband Donald of Tewksbury and Robert A. Kirkland of Melrose.  Cherished grandmother of Jenn MacLaren-Soucie and her husband Ronald, and Donald MacLaren and his wife Allyson, all of Tewksbury. Great grandmother of Quintin, Aidan, Natalia, Ryley and Jackson. Caring sister of Ronald “Barney” Nickerson and his wife Kathy Alcorn of Colorado, and Douglas Nickerson of Cape Cod. Caring sister-in-law of Marion Hesketh of Tewksbury. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday October 16.  A funeral service was held at the Gately Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 17.  Burial in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Annette’s name to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave, Norwood, MA 02062. To send a message of condolence please visit...

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Mary Ellen Sturrock, 91

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Obituaries, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Mary Ellen Sturrock, 91

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition MELROSE — Mary Ellen (Sexton) Sturrock, 91, of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Beloved wife for 66 years of the late Hugh M Sturrock. Loving and devoted mother of Jeanne Mahoney and her husband Richard, Hugh Sturrock, Sheila Sturrock and pre-deceased by Maureen Gibbs. Cherished grandmother of Caitlin Gibbs, Kristin Cataldo and her husband Joseph, Timothy Mahoney and great grandmother of Joseph Cataldo. Sister of Eileen Lester and her husband Tom and John Sexton. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Chelsea, Mary is the daughter of the late John and Ellen Sexton. She was a graduate of Chelsea High School and an employee of New England Telephone for over 25 years. She was also a member of the NE Telephone Pioneers.  Mary enjoyed traveling with her family, gardening and reading. Visiting Hours were held on Wed., Oct. 18, at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose.  Funeral procession from Gately Funeral Home was on Thurs., Oct. 19, followed by a funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Saint John’s Seminary, 127 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135. To leave an online message of condolence please visit...

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Antonetta M. Mancuso, 93

Posted by on Oct 19, 2017 in Melrose Obituaries, Melrose Weekly News | Comments Off on Antonetta M. Mancuso, 93

Published in the October 20, 2017 edition EAST BOSTON — Antonetta M. (Rossi) Mancuso, 93, of East Boston, formerly of Melrose, died at the Don Orione Home in East Boston on October 14, 2017.   Antonetta was born in Boston, raised in East Boston and attended East Boston schools. She resided in East Boston for most of her life and in Melrose for 14 years. Antonetta worked as a talented seamstress for the Nurses Uniforms Manufacturing Co. in Boston and enjoyed going to Foxwoods Casino, cooking, crosswords puzzles, and the Boston Red Sox.  She loved spending time in Florida, was a very social person and her family was the most important part of her life. Antonetta was the beloved wife of the late Anthony J. Mancuso for 24 years. Loving mother of Anthony J. Mancuso and his wife Rosa of Melrose. Caring sister of the late Elvira D’Amore, Ida Minerva and Louis and Henry Rossi. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Wednesday, Oct. 18.  Funeral was from the Gately Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 19.  Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Boston. For directions and to sign online condolence visit...

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