My Norwood

Light the Candles

Watching the town come together in an even bigger and better way.

The people of this town never cease to amaze me, but I couldn't have realized it more than I did last week. I have heard the stories of exceptional generosity. I have donated money, spare change in canisters, purchased tickets to fundraisers I knew I could not attend. Along with the rest of the town, I stood in line years ago and donated blood when it was needed, and later with many of those same people I was tested to donate my bone marrow. I donate what I can without hesitation simply because I grew up in this town and witnessed the town’s generosity; the way people give anything they can without question or consequence when someone is in need. It is a part of who I am because since I was six years old, I watched people give selflessly …

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Town Common Glows With a Record-Breaking Luminary Night

The annual Circle of Hope Luminary Night lit up the Town Common Saturday.

Approximately 1,200 luminaries lit in remembrance of loved ones lined the walkways of the Common and the surrounding sidewalks Saturday evening for the Circle of Hope’s 11th Annual Luminary Night. The event was the most successful to date, something that the COH members credit to the town's commitment to helping each other.  “This town always comes through, whether it’s helping the Circle of Hope or helping a neighbor - tonight is just a clear indication," Circle of Hope President Timothy McDonough said. "We sold the most luminary bags we ever have, the weather’s perfect for operating, I think a lot of blessings were answered tonight and it is really what the season is all about.” “You look around, see the faces of the people looking at …

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Luminaries Now Available for Purchase for the Norwood Circle of Hope's Annual Celebration

The luminary night on the town common will be held on Dec. 3 this year.

The Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation invites you to help light up the Circle of Hope by purchasing a luminary to be lit on Saturday evening, Dec. 3, on the Town Common. Continuing a Norwood tradition begun 11 years ago, the members of the Circle of Hope Foundation call the luminaries are a symbol of Life, Hope, the Season, and Remembrance of others. Luminaries can be purchased for $5 each from any Foundation board member, by calling 781-762-3549, or by mailing your check and messages to The Circle of Hope Foundation, 24 Myrtle Street, Norwood MA 02062. The purchaser can designate a short message of life, hope, the season or remembrance to be written on their luminary. The candles will be lit beginning at 5 p.m. and the Foundation members …

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Question of the Day

Question of the Day: Holiday Season in Norwood

What is the best part of the holiday season in Norwood?

We ask Norwood Patch readers a different question every weekday at noon. Questions could range from local decisions made by officials, to state issues, to national politics and entertainment. Whatever it is, we want to know what NORWOOD thinks! To answer, use our comments section below. Norwood kicked off the holiday season on Sunday with the yearly Extravaganza on the town common. Decorating has begun for the holiday house decorating contest, and this weekend the common will once again be lit up for the Circle of Hope's annual Luminary Night. So tell us, Norwood, what is your favorite thing about the holiday season in town?

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Susan Clare

7:11 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Absolutely, the beautiful night lights downtown! A couple of years ago, I checked with the electric dept. to see if it was advisable to use the energy/money having all these lights for much of the winter. It is! They are run off our regular street lights, cost very little, and use little extra energy. We can enjoy them every year! Best of all, they come on at dusk, so even little ones with early …   more ›

My Norwood

More Than Just a Day

The Day of Hope Carnival and all it stands for.

I was pleasantly surprised last week when I was roused from my sleep Friday morning by the welcoming chime of my doorbell rather than the irritating hum of an alarm clock. Friday was a day I couldn't wait for yet simultaneously dreaded. I was going to celebrate life, hope and youth at the Day of Hope Carnival, energy I would need to carry me through the rest of the day. Later that evening I was to meet family at Concannon's for a benefit for my cousin, an amazing drummer who embodies life and happens to be battling liver cancer - nothing he can't handle. We were told to put on our dancing shoes and show up ready to celebrate. I didn't think twice. I also know too well that life can change in a minute and Friday morning I woke (pulling my …

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Day of Hope, Community and Remembrance

The 7th annual Day of Hope Carnival continues to capture the essence of Michelle Kennedy's life and legacy — laughter, music, giving and hope.

A potential for rain did not dampen the spirits of those who took part in the 7th annual Day of Hope Carnival at Hawes Pool to benefit the Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation on Friday. The smiles of children throughout the day — many of whom were directly impacted by the generosity of the Circle of Hope — served as a subtle reminder that although life might not always be perfect, or fair, there is always hope and room for a little fun. The Circle of Hope was founded in 1998 in memory of Norwood resident Lee Kennedy’s daughter, Michelle, after she lost a battle with leukemia. People rallied behind the family during Michelle’s illness, and it was Michelle’s wish to quietly give back to the town that so graciously helped her and her mother. …

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My Norwood

Maureen O'Brien: A Lifetime Friendship of Seasons and Reasons

Through grieving the loss of a dear friend come lessons, laughter and memories.

I would like to apologize to my readers for the unanticipated and unexplained hiatus of My Norwood. For the past week, since losing a dear friend to ovarian cancer, my priorities changed a little and writing this column took a back seat to something more important - being with those I love. I tried numerous times to write. But each time I put pen to paper, reaching deep within for the emotional energy to compose a sentence or searching the corners of my mind for just the right words to honor the life of someone I loved dearly, I kept thinking, “This isn’t the right time." There is a poem about friendship that speaks of people coming into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime and though the poem describes three different types of …

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Norwood 'Stars' Compete for Dancing Title

Perry and Murphy took home awards but the foundation was the real winner.

Norwood's own "stars" put on their dancing shoes Friday night for the third annual Circle of Hope Foundation Dancing with the Stars event. The competition took place at Concannon's Function Hall and had a full and enthusiastic audience. Contestants Carolyn Murphy (owner of Murph’s Place), Paulette Alty (former owner of the Town Square Diner), Sue McQuaid (former member of the Board of Selectmen and director of development for the League School), Mark Ryan (Director of Public Works and Town Engineer), Lenny Sansone (local businessman) and Jack Perry (architect), took 10 weeks of dance lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Norwood leading up to the competition. Murphy took the judge's award, while fan favorite went to Perry and his "…

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My Norwood

We Can't Rewind Time, But We Can Dance Through It

Dancing with the Norwood Stars keeps a local girl's memory alive and well.

Time is a funny thing. Moments creep up on us. When we’re waiting for something important or exciting time seems to drag on, and all too often time catches us off guard. Months turn into years, flying by, in what frequently feels like the “blink of an eye.” As much as we try, we can’t slow the passing of time or freeze frame life for even an instant. Reliving a tender memory with a loved one for the briefest second is impossible. Time has a way of being cruel in this regard, continuously ticking on, unsympathetic to our pleas.     I watched Joey as he played baseball this weekend and thought, where has the time gone? The nervous, round-faced little boy who first tried tee-ball at age three has turned into a tall, confident eight-year-old, …

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My Norwood

Time Flies When You're Having Fun?

Some reflections on the always busy, crazy way we live nowadays.

Saturday evening the Circle of Hope held its annual Luminary Night on the common. While driving home that evening, I found myself reflecting on the past week and just how truly blessed I am. I have a beautiful, happy and healthy son; my family is my core; and I live in a wonderful town. I should have felt more than simply content, but something I couldn't put my finger on was nagging at me. Life moves so fast, I realized, for all of us. Especially now that I am a parent I want life to slow down - for time to stand still so my son and I can bask in his childhood. Between sports, homework, grocery shopping, making time for family and friends it's easy to get caught up and forget the biggest thing - the promise we make to our children that we…

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