Quilt for college's 150th to be presented

In honor of the college's 150th anniversary, Levine stitched 17 panels of a 20-panel quilt. Eighteen squares depict campus buildings, one replicates the 150th anniversary emblem, and the last lists the names of the people who made the quilt. College librarian Peg Snyder and Andrea Pickles, former librarian and now director of academic technology training and support at FSC, helped Levine with the other three squares.

``It was one of those things that just snowballed,'' said Levine, who started the project this summer and had never made a quilt before.

The quilt will be presented and put on display at the college's 150th anniversary gala Dec. 13. This year's Festival of Trees will also commemorate the college's milestone, Levine said.

IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP - Some are household names, others have made their mark on society more quietly, but all of the 2003 inductees to the Natick High School Wall of Achievement have made significant contributions to work, home, community, or volunteer efforts.

This year's honorees are Natick residents Nicholas Arthur ('42), who has provided 30 years of service to town government; A. John Crisafulli ('50), who earned a bronze star in the Marine Corps and was a teacher and principal in the elementary schools for a total of 35 years; Darren Flutie ('84), pro football player; Robert Ghilani ('56), high school teacher and coach; David Linksy ('75), former assistant district attorney and now state legislator; Marlborough resident Pamela Johnston ('86), Emmy award-winning television producer and news director for Boston's WLVI-TV, as well as an active supporter of Rosie's Place women's shelter in Boston; Charlton resident Monique Lemaire Kestigian ('70), whose extensive community service and fund-raising talents earned her Yankee Magazine's 2003 Barn Raiser of the Year award; and former Natick District Court Judge Edward Snow ('31), who is deceased.

``We call it a wall of achievement, not a hall of fame, because we honor alumni from all walks of life who have accomplished a lot with their lives. They are role models for our students and show that you don't have to be famous to be successful and do something with your life,'' said Wall of Achievement committee chairwoman Diane VerShure.

The inductees were scheduled to spend time talking with students during classes last Tuesday and to speak at the dinner and ceremony honoring them later that evening.

APPLES AT HER CORE - Priya Khetarpal, a business student at Babson College in Wellesley, is simply mad for apples.

Khertarpal's obsession with the fruit began in a literature course she took her sophomore year where she learned about John Chapman, more commonly known as Johnny Appleseed. Inspired by Chapman's dedication to teaching apple culture and spreading seeds far and wide, Khertarpal set out to find out as much about apples as possible, visiting every orchard in Massachusetts and studying the apple aisle in every nearby supermarket and farm stand.

She can spout arcane facts about apples, such as they have 2,500 names and can slow down the balding process, and can recite statistics on the apple's nutritional value, flavors, and overall popularity in the supermarket produce aisle (the apple ranks in the top 10 out of 315 fresh produce items sold in US stores, she says) and has perfected methods for drying and storing rarer varieties.

But Khertarpal hasn't forgotten she's a business student. She has applied to Babson's Hatchery Program, a leased space on campus where she can set up a production and distribution center and put her apple knowledge to use as a fledgling business, making and selling apple chips. Already, she says, she is selling 50 bags a week, and is negotiating contracts with farmers, national nonprofits, and business ``incubators'' to bring her product to the mass market.

MODEL MENTOR - The Big Sister Association of Greater Boston last week honored Weston resident Edmund F. ``Ted'' Kelly, chairman and CEO of Liberty Mutual Group, for his innovative corporate and civic leadership.

The Big Sister Achievement Award is presented annually to community leaders who have enriched the lives of women and girls in Greater Boston, according to a statement.

Kelly, a native of Ireland, supports mentoring relationships and serves as co-chair of the Mass Mentoring Partnership. He is also a board member of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay; the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay; the Boston Private Industry Council; the American Ireland Fund; Segue Software Inc.; and Boston College.

AWARD FOR SERVICE - The Sherborn Lions Club recently presented its first community service award to Sherborn police Sergeant Michael McLaughlin at the community center. McLaughlin was honored for exemplifying the Lions' motto ``We Serve'' through his community service to the town during 20 years on the force.

DECK THE HALLS - Many people in the area had their holiday lights up before Thanksgiving, so it must not be too early to hang a wreath on the door.

If you'd like to make your own, Nancy D'Eon from Schafer Nursery of Bellingham will provide greenery and supplies and teach adults how to prepare and decorate holiday wreaths.

The 7 p.m. Wednesday event, sponsored by Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, is limited to 18 pre-paid registrants. Call 508-966-1660.

Cate Coulacos Prato can be reached at prato@globe.com.