Community Corner

Celebrating Our Second Year With 10 Stories

Today we celebrate the birthday of Reading and North Reading Patch.

On this day two years ago, North Reading Patch was launched. However, today we celebrate more than just our second birthday. We are now part of Reading-North Reading Patch, two sites combined, both of which have been around for two years. 

It may have been a difficult transition, but I'd like to think that we have joined forces to create a bigger and better site. On this special day, I'd like to thank all of our loyal readers, contributors, bloggers, followers on Twitter and Facebook and of course those of you who have allowed us to tell your stories, sent in a tip, said hello on the street and helped make our articles come to life. We wouldn't be Reading-North Reading Patch without you.

Let's reminisce and take a look at some of the top stories from the last year.

Find out what's happening in Readingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. North Reading School Building Project Approved. No one will forget when the school building project was approved. The project passed at the Special Election in March 3,075 to 802 and soon North Reading will have a new middle school and high school with shared core facilities.

2. 38 Minors Charged With Possession of Alcohol in Reading. This story had the towns talking. On Sept. 2, according to Reading Police, officers reported to a house party were over 40 youths were present without adult supervision. As a result of the party, 38 minors are being charged with possession of alcohol and one youth is being charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, police said. The town implemented a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drinking, and Patch sat down with Chief Cormier to hear his thoughts on the subject.

Find out what's happening in Readingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. Joe Fish May Be Moving into Old Picadilly Pub Location. North Reading Residents were happy to hear about the Joe Fish opening on Main Street where the old Picadilly Pub used to be. The restaurant is still under construction.

4. Bunratty Tavern Coming to Reading. Reading residents cannot wait for the Bunratty Tavern to open in town. The tavern will be located in the historic M.F. Charles building and is currently under construction. 

5. North Reading Remembers Kristen Pulisciano. The town was both saddened and in shock when they heard about the death of Kristen Pulisciano, a North Reading native and 1991 North Reading High School graduate. She was stabbed to death at her home in Burlington in May. 

6. RMHS Athletic Director Leaving in June. Reading Memorial High School Athletic Director Phil Vaccaro had been athletic director since 1994, but according to Superintendent John Doherty, Vaccaro submitted a letter of intent to retire in April.

7. Best of Patch: Which Hair Salon is the Best? Remember these contests? With a whopping 722 votes, this catergory received the most attention. Reading and North Reading sure do love their hair salons. The Salon on Haven and Em-belle-ish both received more than 100 votes, but Lumina won with 202 votes. 

8. Mrs. Felix's Cupcakes to Open Store in North Reading. Lindsay Felix grew up in North Reading and still lives in town with her husband and three children. For the last 10 years, she had been making cupcakes from scratch for the community free of charge. After an overwhelming amount of orders, Felix decided to start her own cupcake business online this past May and now is ready to open a store. North Reading is still awaiting the arrival of the Mrs. Felix’s Cupcakes storefront, but you can still order the delicious treats online or pick them up at Heav'nly Donuts or the Hornet's Nest.

9. Reading Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner to Retire in a Year. Reading found out that Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner will retire on June 1, 2013. He has served for more than 25 years as the town manager.

10. North Reading Brought Back the Fourth. North Reading celebrated the Fourth of July for the first time in years this past July. The Bring Back the Fourth Committee was formed in September of 2011 to fundraise and plan for Fourth of July activities in North Reading. Chairman Fred Chalmers was joined by about 10 members who worked with various town departments to ensure that a celebration took place on Independence Day.


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