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Chester High Alumni Coming Home!

Chester – Chester High School Alumni will be coming home to Chester this year for their annual reunion and meeting. The annual Alumni Association Meeting draws a large group of people associated with the former Chester High School, including Chester Residents who graduated from Gateway after Chester High School closed in the late 1960’s. This year’s festivities begin with a social hour at 3 PM at the Chester Railroad Depot and continue informally throughout the entire weekend as “Blue Devils” and “Quarriers” wander around town visiting old friends and relatives.
Chester High has traditions dating back well over one hundred years, but the Association has no members from that long ago! Among the many mysteries every year are questions like, “Who will be the oldest member?” and “Who will come from the farthest away?” In the midst of all the reminiscing, prizes are awarded for the first local and first out of state reservation. There is never a lack of laughter, perhaps because the threat of detention is long gone even though former teachers frequently attend.
Association President Walter Boomsma noted, “Thanks to a scheduling error, we’ve been forced to break tradition this year and do something different! We’re actually addressing some requests we’ve had from a number of members who want to have the reunion back in Chester. A number of folks have wanted to start earlier and everyone has been concerned about the increasing banquet costs.”
“Our plan is to make this event truly focused on reuniting old friends! Five year classes will be honored, especially the class of 1958. Of course we’re required to have a meeting, but we’ll keep it short and moving. We are working closely with the Chester Foundation and will have snacks and drinks available, but the focus is on people—not on food.”
He also pointed out that by using a more informal approach ticket prices have dropped to $10 per person instead of close to $30 required by a formal banquet. “Classes can still have a meal together, of course, but they get to choose where after formal activities end around 6 PM.” Boomsma also noted that Association Leadership is also excited that the event will be a bit of an economic stimulus package. “We’re thrilled to be bringing dollars into Chester instead of Westfield” and they hope local businesses and organizations will make the town “open and welcome” to those who attend.
Details and invitations will be mailed to Association Members mid to late June. Since maintaining an accurate mailing list is always a real challenge, alumni who have not received an invitation may simply send a check (tickets are $10 per person, payable to Chester High School Alumni Association) to Edith Whittaker, Association Secretary at 324 Russell Road #215 Westfield MA 01085. Edith can also be reached at 413-564-8124.
Additional officers of the Association include Robert Goewey, Vice President and George A. Morey Treasurer. Board Members include Nancy Allman, Mary Thayer of Russell, Jack Young of Becket, Brenda Budreau of Huntington and Tino Cardarelli, Annette LaMountain, Charlotte Pease, and Janice Brown, all of Chester. Any one of these people may be contacted for information.
The Association also manages a significant scholarship fund and Gateway Seniors are encouraged to contact their guidance counselors for additional information. Scholarship Custodians include Maurice Pease, Duane C. Pease, and Bruce Cooper.

Annual Memorial Day Weekend Festival

The Littleville Fair Association will be holding it's Annual Memorial Day Weekend Festival on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at the fairgrounds located at 15 Kinne Brook Rd. in Chester, MA.
The gates will open at 7:00 AM and admission is $6.00 for Adults, $5.00 for Seniors and Children 10 and under are free.
The days events will include two classes of Oxen draws and two classes of Horse draws starting at 10:00 AM with the under 2800 lb. Oxen class going first.
There will also be a craft and vendor show, a tag sale to benefit the fair, a bake sale and special raffles. The Fair food booth will be open all day.
The Association will be serving a chicken barbeque starting at 5:00 PM. Tickets for the barbeque are $10.00 per person. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 413-667-3987 no later then May 17, 2008, or they can be purchased the day of the event. Anyone who purchases a barbeque ticket in advance and presents it at the gate the day of the event will receive free gate admission.
For more information, or for a craft show application, please call 413-667-3987 or you can email Littlevillefair1@aol.com.

MASSIVE HOUSE CLEANING SALE!!

$0.50 ¢ to $100 !!! Complete home furnishings!! Furniture, lamps, tables, dining room, bedrooms!! Complete room accessories!! Priced to sell! Many Items NEW!!!  594 Main Street Becket MA – fenced yard across from Becket Country Store & Café.  Every Sunday in May.

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Town Hall Information
P. O. Box 9
15 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Ph: 413-354-7760
Fax: 413-354-2268
Office Hours: Monday - Friday  9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Email: selectmen@townofchester.net
Website: www.townofchester.net

Selectmen meetings are Mondays, 6:00 p.m.  

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Carm's Restaurant
241 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011

Charlie's Garage
241 Rt. 20
Chester, MA 01011
Ph: 413-354-7740
Wed - Fri - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun - 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Mon & Tue

Mass Call / Volunteer Firefighters Assoc.
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Website: www.mcvfaTravel.com

Stoney Acre Farm
Llama ~ Sheep ~ Ewes ~ Rams ~ Lambs
Coonhounds ~ & Golden Retrievers
See our Ad Here
Pam & Tom Brisson
66 Lyon Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Ph: 413-354-0286
Email: pam@stoneyacrefarm.com
Website: www.stoneyacrefarm.com

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