508Local, 25 Elm Street, Southbridge, MA (2026)

08/09/2026

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Winners Seth Varin and Katie Stevens.

Run for Ryan hosts Eighth Annual race at Owen Bell

BY JASON BLEAU
VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT

DAYVILLE — The annual Run for Ryan event returned for its eighth year on July 18 honoring its namesake Ryan French, a Thompson naive who passed away in 2017 while attending Killingly High School.
The run presserves his life and legacy in many ways. Not only is it a cross-country race on the track at Owen Bell Park he once ran as a member and eventual captain of Killingly’s cross-country team, but it also raises money for a scholarship program through a foundation founded by Ryan’s parents, Joselyn and Jeffrey French, to support Killingly High School Regional Agricultural Education students, a program Ryan himself was enrolled in while at KHS.
The 2026 race was one of the biggest years to date according to Ryan’s parents, and it also resulted in major milestones for the winners including a course record. An estimated 232 people signed up for the run and walk portions of the event, 148 participating in the run alone. While the final financial take from the race was not available for this story, the couple estimated the foundation has provided $34,100 in scholarships to date benefitting 59 seniors from Killingly High Schools Agricultural Education program.
Ryan’s mother, Joselyn French, said the annual support they receive for the cause has made Run for Ryan an uplifting experience for all involved.
“It’s actually the greatest gift we could really receive is keeping his memory alive and having people continue to talk about him and remember him,” Joselyn French said. “We’re still finding out things about him that we didn’t even know that he did behind the scenes at the school, and it always warms our hearts when we hear that. We feel so fortunate to be part of this corner of Connecticut. The fact that people choose to come to our event, to support us, to be part of this and remember him, it’s all very special.”
Ryan’s father Jeffrey spoke about how he thinks his son would feel seeing how his memory has helped create such a great cause for everyone to get behind.
“I think he would be pleased that we’re doing this and that the event is helping to turn tragedy into something positive by helping out Ag-Ed seniors,” he said. “We found out after he passed away some things about Ryan like that he helped kids who were being bullied. He was the kind of kid where if there was a younger classmate who was sitting alone at lunch, he would come over and invite them to join him and his friends. Because he was a giving kid, he would be pleased that we’re doing something positive to help other students.”
The winners of the cross-country run were Seth Varin as the first male and overall winner, and Katie Stevens as the first female across the line. The victories were milestones for both in this event. Varin has placed second or third three times prior but finally broke through for the overall win with a time of 16 minutes and 50.96 seconds. Stevens, who was friends with Ryan in school, set a new record for a female besting the previous record which was held by another of Ryan’s friends, Angie Rafter, until this year. Stevens crossed the line with a time of 18 minutes and 36.99 seconds just barely beating the previous record of 18 minutes and 37 seconds by the smallest margin.
The family has already announced that Run for Ryan will return in 2027 with the ninth iteration set to take place on July 17 next year.

08/09/2026

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Officers from the Northbridge Police Department make it a rule never to drive past a lemonade stand without stopping. Photo courtesy of the department’s page.

08/08/2026

Russ Buzzell

Russell Buzzell named Town House Artist of the Month

NORTH BROOKFIELD — Russell ("Russ") Buzzell has been named Artist of the Month for August by the Friends of the North Brookfield Town House.
Buzzell is a painter and illustrator from North Brookfield whose work is closely tied to the rural landscape, wildlife, and the history of central Massachusetts. He has had a professional career spanning many years, moving from illustration to fine art and historical painting.
Buzzell grew up on his family’s farm in North Brookfield. He milked the cows, drove the tractor, and participated in all the other jobs required of a farm family. But art was his first love.
A close family friend and artist known to young Buzzell as “Uncle Louie” nurtured his interest in art and helped him develop his skills. Russ graduated from North Brookfield High School in 1960 and the Art Institute of Boston in 1966.
He spent several years illustrating the publications of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His impressive work there led to his being called upon to illustrate books and magazines, including “Animals Nobody Loves” by Ronald Rood, “The Farm Book” by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and “The Wilderness Home of Giant Panda” by William G. Sheldon. He also illustrated for Gray’s Sporting Journal and Wisconsin Sportsman magazines and freelanced for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Buzzell’s most notable artwork includes “Sunday Afternoon on the Buzzell Farm” and the historical rendition of “Wheeler’s Surprise,” the ambush by Nipmuc Natives during the King Phillips War in West Brookfield on Aug. 2, 1675.
Buzzell works out of his Buck Hill Studio in North Brookfield where the majority of his time is spent on privately commissioned paintings and drawings of New England farms, landscapes, and wildlife. He works with oils, scratchboard, watercolor, and pen and ink.
People attending the 2026 Backroads Studio Tour Oct. 3 & 4 will be able to visit Russell Buzzell’s Buck Hill studio to appreciate his work in person. While there, they can purchase original art, limited edition numbered prints, and greeting cards.

For more information on Russell Buzzell visit nbtownhouse.com and click on featured artists.

The Friends of the North Brookfield Town House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on restoring, preserving, and sustaining the historic Town House in the center of North Brookfield. Every month this organization recognizes a featured artist in their community.

08/08/2026

Danielson tackles Hawkins Street fire

BY JASON BLEAU
VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT

DANIELSON — A fire on Hawkins Street in Danielson brought multiple departments to town with fears of entrapment inside the building creating a dire situation for first responders.
According to a report published on social media by the Danielson Fire Department, a first-alarm fire was struck at 6:44 a.m. the morning of July 27 with reports of people trapped inside the burning building at 32 Hawkins St. in the Danielson Borough of Killingly.
Killingly-Brooklyn Ambulance was the first on scene only minutes later, arriving at a fully engulfed building. Fire crews soon arrived on scene sparking a second alarm. It was confirmed that all occupants had safely escaped the building, with one civilian sustaining burns and smoke inhalation injuries and transported to a hospital. Occupants of neighboring buildings were also evacuated due to the home's proximity to nearby structures.
While the human occupants survived, the report from the Danielson Fire Department confirmed that numerous cats perished in the fire, although one was rescued.
“A KB medic, assisted by firefighters on scene, successfully revived the cat before a good samaritan transported it to a local veterinary hospital for further care. Tragically, despite the efforts of firefighters, approximately 30 cats perished in the fire,” the Danielson Fire Department report stated.
One firefighter also sustained injuries after being struck by falling debris. They were treated on scene but then transported to a hospital for further evaluation.
The fire came in the midst of a difficult time for the Danielson Fire Department. The department has endured several changes since more than half of its membership resigned in May during a dispute over the hiring process for a new chief and the perceived lack of support from the town. Kevin McNeill was eventually appointed chief.
Despite the recent controversies, the department was able to respond and manage the scene effectively. The department’s official release did not shy away from addressing the controversy stating that, despite everything, the department remains focused on protecting the community.
“The Danielson Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to all of our mutual aid partners for their rapid response, professionalism, and teamwork. Since early May, the department has been focused on rebuilding and strengthening relationships with neighboring agencies through collaboration, joint training, and a shared commitment to providing the highest level of service to our communities. Today's incident serves as a powerful example of those efforts and demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies train together and respond as one unified team,” the department wrote.
The cause of the Hawkins Street fire remains under investigation by the Killingly Fire Marshal's Office and the Connecticut Office of the State Fire Marshal.

08/07/2026

Ruth Wells Center spotlights life and work of Michel Merle

SOUTHBRIDGE — The Ruth Wells Center for the Arts, 111 Main St. in Southbridge, is excited to present a retrospective of the life and works of Michel Merle. The opening reception will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, 4-8 p.m. The galleries will then be open throughout the month Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Please join us to celebrate his works, meet the artist and share refreshments in this historic setting. All are welcome.

The artwork of Michel Duncan Merle serves as a vibrant and provocative crossroads where legendary artistic heritage meets decades of technical mastery.

A native Parisian born in 1937, Merle spent more than three decades as a Professor of Art at Worcester State University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he taught generations of students to view creation through an alternative or philosophical lens.

Artistic practice and innovation run deeply in his veins: Merle is the son of artist and gallery owner, Ligoa Duncan, the grandson of artist and philosopher Raymond Duncan, and the great-nephew of modern dance pioneer and virtuoso Isadora Duncan. Merle’s extensive studies, from the Akademia Raymond Duncan in Paris to the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he earned an MFA in Sculpture and Painting, reflects a global, lifelong commitment to the avant-garde.

Merle has participated in a myriad of artistic organizations and collaborations over the years, including: Grove Street Gallery (co-founder/co-curator); Noh Place Artists Cooperative (board of directors/performer); Forbidden Poets (piano/spoken word); WCUW 91.3 FM (radio show featuring The Stranger and Think Tank Tango); Worcester County Poetry Association (former president); and a variety of performances and contributions as a member of Worcester Artist Group, Invented Thing Quartet, Theater Now, and Kasner Gooch Multimedia.

Merle is also the author of a volume of cut-up poems, “Glass Bedding” (North American Editions) and continues to produce poems/art in this fashion. More recently, he produced collages in response to a series of René Magritte-inspired poems by Stephen Campiglio, as part of a multimedia manuscript, including the work of two other artists, Andres Juarez and Jennifer Forest, entitled “Other Turns.”

The Ruth Wells Art Center exhibition invites viewers to experience a brilliant collection that honors Michel’s family’s historic legacy, while celebrating his own distinct, thought-provoking aesthetic.

08/07/2026

Leicester celebrates longtime police officer’s retirement

BY JASON BLEAU
CORRESPONDENT

LEICESTER — The Leicester Board of Selectmen celebrated the retirement of a longtime member of the town’s police department, Officer Michael Lombardozzi, in late July.
After 18 years Officer Lombardozzi, also known to many as “Lombo,” officially retired from the force earlier this year and was recognized by town and state leaders last month for his years of service. A Coast Guard veteran turned police officer, Officer Lombardozzi has made an impact in his community becoming a leader and mentor to both his fellow officers and local youth alike.
Chief Kenneth Antanavica commended Lobardozzi for his unending commitment to his duties and his community during the Board of Selectmen’s July 21 meeting.
“Mike started as a part-time officer in 2008 and when the department went exclusively full-time in 2014, he went to the academy - during Mike’s tenure at the LPD he was a mentor to many juveniles that needed a little guidance through life and worked with them in Project New Hope along with many other tasks like cleaning up roadsides and many other community services,” said the Chief. “Mike has always proudly worn his LPD uniform and always looked sharp and ready to take on any challenge.”
In addition to recognition by the Select Board, State Sen. Peter Durant also made an appearance to present a citation from the State Senate. Speaking about the ceremony on social media, Durant said he was proud to help recognize a clearly popular figure in the local police department.
“For 18 years, Leicester Police Officer Michael Lombardozzi has been an integral part of the community - It was an honor to present him with a citation from the State Senate to recognize his commitment to the town and to our country as he also served in the US Coast Guard,” Durant wrote. “It is clear from the responses to his retirement that he is greatly loved in Leicester.”
During his tenure with the Leicester Police Department, Lombardozzi supported the Officer Tarantino cause by running and riding in charity events and recently took part in the Police Unity Tour, a 320-mile trek from New Jersey to Washington DC to benefit families of fallen police officers. He’s also been involved in the department’s stuff-a-cruiser and color guard.
Antanavica also commended Officer Lombardozzi for be the “go-to guy” for properly folding the American flag, one of which was presented to him as a memento during his retirement ceremony.
After receiving his retirement badge, Officer Lombardozzi concluded the ceremony with a soft-spoken note to the town that he may be retiring from the force, but he will remain a part of the community.
“I’ve been in town 56 years, this will always be my home no matter where I am. I just hope I represented the town as best I could,” he said.

08/06/2026

Polly Currier

Polly Currier joins the Pearle as Youth Services Librarian

DUDLEY — Storytime just got even more exciting at the Pearle L. Crawford Public Library.
The Town of Dudley is pleased to welcome Polly Currier as our new Youth Services Librarian.
Currier brings more than a decade of experience inspiring young readers and creating engaging learning environments for children and families.
With more than 12 years of experience working with students in grades K–8, she brings a passion for literacy, creativity, and community engagement. She began her library career at Tantasqua Regional Junior High School. Prior to joining the Pearle, she served as the librarian at Leicester Elementary School.
“Her experience in youth services, education, and library programming will be a tremendous asset to our community,” Library Director Nicole Messier said.
Currier holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, is a member of the prestigious Beta Phi Mu International Honor Society, and has earned both a
Massachusetts Certificate of Librarianship and a Massachusetts Academic Provisional Teaching
License. She is eager to build on the library’s tradition of engaging Dudley’s youngest residents.
“As I spend more time in the Children’s Library, I hope to increase accessibility and foster a sense of community and discovery in even the youngest patrons,” she said.
Currier’s diverse background includes experience serving patrons of all ages in a variety of library settings, from K–8 schools to the Worcester Art Museum Library.
“Polly’s experience, enthusiasm, and genuine love of helping young people discover the joy of reading make her a wonderful addition to the Pearle,” Town Administrator Jonathan Ruda said.
“Our library is a special gathering place for Dudley families, and I know Polly will make story time, learning, and every visit to the Children’s Library even more welcoming and memorable.”
Whether it’s introducing toddlers to their first storybook, helping students discover a favorite series, or creating programs that bring families together, Polly says she looks forward to making the Children's Library a welcoming place where curiosity grows and imaginations flourish.

08/06/2026

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Newly promoted Douglas Fire and Ambulance Chief Kelly Manning (center) is congratulated by Theresa and Z from Capital Cannabis, who stopped by the department recently with pizzas for the on-duty crew. Photo courtesy of the department’s page.

Douglas promotes new Fire and Ambulance Chief

DOUGLAS — The Town of Douglas has promoted Kelly Manning to Chief of the Douglas Fire and Ambulance Department. She will be the third person to serve as Chief since the Department began delivering full-time service in 2017, and the first woman to earn the top spot.
The Department provides 24/7 fire coverage and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance services with a full-time trained staff of 10 supported by over 30 active call members.
Manning started as a call firefighter in Wellfleet, Massachusetts in 2004. She earned her EMT-Paramedic status as a university student in 2006, the year she joined the call department in Douglas under then Chief Don Gonynor. She worked for the Amherst Fire Department for three years, more than nine years as a career firefighter in Southbridge, and two more in Westborough while she climbed the ranks of the Douglas call department. Chief Kent Vinson hired her as Assistant Chief in Douglas in November 2020, after town meeting created the position. Manning was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2024 by Chief John Furno.
Douglas Town Administrator Matt Wojcik noted, “Kelly is highly qualified to serve as Chief. In addition to her experience, she has a master's degree in public administration, numerous certifications including hazardous materials response, SCUBA, fire training and instruction, fire prevention, and emergency management, and she is a registered nurse. She has had the last three years to work with retiring Chief Furno, whose more than 40 years of public service and experience as a manager provided a perfect example of leadership from which to draw.”
Furno noted, “In her role as Deputy Chief, Kelly has been a tireless advocate for health and safety, professional development, and operational readiness. She embodies the definition of public service—selfless, dedicated, and deeply committed to helping others. This is truly the best job in the world and I will miss working full-time with a team who will overcome any obstacle to fulfill their calling.”
Manning commented, “It is both an honor and a privilege to serve alongside and support the dedicated men and women who provide fire, EMS, and all-hazards response to the Town of Douglas as your Fire Chief. I look forward to continuing to build strong community partnerships, embracing innovation, and ensuring the health, safety, and
well-being of our personnel as we move into the future.”

07/22/2026

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Tuskegee Airmen briefing before a mission.

Pomfret Historical Society hosts program on “Witnessing Hidden Patriots”

POMFRET — On Aug. 1, the Pomfret Historical Society (PHS) will host a program about the military legacy of one Connecticut family from the Revolutionary War to World War II. The program will take place at Pomfret’s historic Old Town House, 11 Town House Dr., at 3 p.m.
Pat Wilson Pheanious of Ashford will share the journey of her family from an enslaved couple in Guilford to her father, Lt. Col. Bertram Wadsworth Wilson, a Tuskegee Airman who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The family military legacy and their commitment to education and Civil Rights is an American story deserving a place in the 250th celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
A Connecticut native and E.O. Smith graduate, Pat Wilson Pheanious holds degrees in English Literature, Social Work, and Law from the University of Connecticut. A lawyer since 1981, her career has spanned academia, social service administration, and public policy. She served as Connecticut’s Commissioner of Social Services (1999–2007) and represented Ashford, Tolland, and Willington in the Connecticut House of Representatives (2018–2022).
Pheanious’ commitment to education about Black History is deeply personal. She had long cherished her father’s legacy as a Tuskegee Airman but had no idea that her history reached far into America’s past in pre-revolutionary Connecticut. However, in 2017, research by The Witness Stones Project founder Dennis Culliton revealed five generations of her family history that had been lost to time. That discovery reshaped her life and inspired a new direction in public service. Pat became Chair of the Witness Stones Project Board in 2019 and its Executive Director in 2024. In September 2025, she led the Project’s transition to Historic New England, where she became Director of the Stopping Stones Program. The Program now includes the Witness Stones Project as its educational arm.
As Director of the Stopping Stones Program, Pheanious works with communities across the country to research, acknowledge, and commemorate the lives of enslaved people through permanent memorials that restore their names, honor their humanity, and recognize the essential role their labor played in building towns, institutions, and prosperity throughout the North and across the nation.
“Witnessing Hidden Patriots from the Revolution to the Tuskegee Airmen” is a personal testimony about finding one’s place in American history and a lesson for all of us about what it means to be an American.
The program is free and was funded by an America 250 grant from The Last Green Valley. Donations to support the renovations in The Old Town House are always welcome. Arrive early for parking and refreshments. For more information contact Donna Dufresne [email protected]

07/21/2026

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Saint Louis Parish held their annual summer picnic on July 10 in honor of the 250th anniversary of the USA. The community enjoyed eating great food, music and dancing, meeting new and old friends, and the kids enjoyed everything from getting their faces painted, making crafts, playing games, and racing through the inflatable obstacle course and bouncing in the play zones.” God bless America.

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