Dancing With The Norwood Stars Contestants Announced

The Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation is proud to announce the contestants for the 2012 Dancing with the Norwood Stars.

The contestants are Patty Griffin Starr, Jeanne Babel, Donna Breen, Paul Bishop, Jack Tolman and Rick “Miggy” McGowan. Each contestant will take 10 weeks of dance lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Norwood leading up to the competition on Friday, March 23.

This is the fourth year the Circle of Hope Foundation has held this fundraiser featuring well-known local “stars” in a night of friendly dance competition. Commentary on the dancing is provided by a panel of local notable and celebrity “judges” along with co-hosts Tim McDonough, Circle of Hope President, and Norwood Senior High School Principal, George Usevich. The winners are chosen by a combination of judges’ score and votes cast by those in attendance.

Patty Griffin is a mother of two and step mother to four. She is a former teacher and volunteers on committees in town including the Norwood Housing Authority, Friends of St. Nick and the Norwood Scholarship Foundation. She enjoys a trip to the Cape or to see her daughter in Philly as well as reading and decorating for every holiday.

Jeanne Babel was born on the Fourth of July. For more than 20 years Jeanne has worked with her husband Vic at the family business in Norwood Center. Jeanne is the mother of two children. She formerly was the chairman of the Norwood Economic Development Committee working to attract new businesses to Norwood’s downtown area and is currently President of the Friends of Norwood Center - a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the economic vitality of Norwood’s downtown.

Donna Breen is a mother of three and grandmother of three. Donna is a hair stylist who describes her clients as more than just customers but very close friends and family who have supported her throughout the years. She has also worked as a crossing guard for more than 20 years and enjoys talking with the children and families she sees each day.

Norwood-born Paul Bishop was a police officer in town from 1971 until 2011 and served the last 24 of those years as assistant to the Chief of Police. Paul is serving his first term as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is also the President of the Town of Norwood Employees Credit Union and a member of Norwood’s Orient Lodge of Masons. Paul is a father of two, with his son Patrick serving as the third generation of Bishops on the police force.

Jack Tolman is a father of two and perhaps best known around town for his work with NPA-TV. Under his guidance, NPA-TV has recently completed the construction of a state-of-the-art public access television studio. Jack has produced historical documentaries about Norwood’s own Richie Hebner and Colonel George T. Lee. This past year Jack produced “Understanding and Preventing Bullying” a three-part series for the Norwood Public Schools. This program received a third place award for Excellence in Educational Programming by the North East Alliance for Community Media.

Rick McGowan is the owner of the popular Colonial House Restaurant on Savin Avenue in Norwood. He is the father of six children and enjoys a good round of golf. Most everyone around town knows Rick as “Miggy” - a nickname he earned 45 years ago while at the Norwood Civic Center with his friends.

Norwood Bank is again the lead sponsor of this event along with Central Auto Group and Four Points at Sheraton on Route 1 in Norwood where this year’s competition will be held. NPA-TV will broadcast the event live on local cable providers. Funds raised are used to assist residents of Norwood who find themselves in need due to a catastrophic medical event. Since its founding in 1998 the Circle of Hope Foundation has provided over $258,000 in assistance to Norwood residents.

Tickets are $30 each and are available by calling 781-762-3549.