Celebrate our Wild and Scenic Rivers at the 12th Annual RiverFest, June 21 through 23
Don't miss the 12th Annual RiverFest celebration- a rare opportunity to enjoy a full weekend of activities free of charge.
RiverFest, which celebrates the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers, includes over 45 events in 10 communities and is open to all who want to experience the beautiful rivers flowing through our communities, according to a press release.
In the MetroWest area, from Hopkinton to Lowell, events will be hosted on and along the rivers highlighting all the things that make these rivers so special.
The offerings are diverse, suitable for young and older people, those who are adventuresome and want to be on the water, as well as those who enjoy history, the arts, or a scenic stroll along the river banks.
There are boat rides, bird watching walks, and canoe trips, as well as historical reenactments, art exhibits and music.
Kids may especially enjoy events allowing them to explore the river banks or get an up close look at some wildlife. Local community groups plan and organize all the activities. Stay close to home, or travel a short distance, and spend the day enjoying all the rivers have to offer.
In recognition of their outstanding and remarkable resource value, the U.S. Congress designated 29 miles of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers as part of the national Wild and Scenic River System in 1999.
The River Stewardship Council (RSC) was created to promote the preservation of these river resources. The RSC is a partnership of representatives from each of the eight shoreline communities, state, and federal agencies and three regional conservation organizations.
For a full listing of events, maps, and to find the events in your community, please visit www.sudbury-assabet-concord.org/riverFest/index. Call 978-369-3956 with any questions.
What's the best independent coffee shop in Greater Boston?
We're obsessed with coffee over at Boston.com, so wanted to put together Coffee Week to celebrate all things java!
New interactives, maps, and galleries for the caffeine-obsessed will be unveiled each day this week. On Sunday, we wrote and mapped out how Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks are battling for coffee supremacy in Massachusetts. Today, we took a look at the national trend.
We wanted to find a way to feature local independent shops that have also developed a passionate following. Sadly, we still couldn't fit everyone in (but we've got something Wednesday that might go toward fixing that). We didn't want to leave anyone out.
FULL ENTRYConcord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: Patriots knocked off by Chieftain
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
In spite of CC junior attack Becca Olsen’s season high 6 goals, the Masconomet Chieftains defeated the CC Patriots 11-10 in the first round of the Division 1 North playoffs in Boxford Wednesday.
The hard driving Chieftains outfought the Patriots through much of the game winning the majority of both draw controls (15 of 21) and ground balls.
Chieftain midfielder Kathleen Gillespie set the tone for Masco winning the initial draw control and driving straight down field to goal for the early lead while Masconomet’s high pressure defense limited CC’s ability to transition the ball down the field for much of the game.
CC battled to stay in the game as Hannah Dudley (2 goals), Kate Wyeth (1 goal), Allie Barrett (1 goal, 2 assists), Olsen (6 goals), and Emma Mahoney (3 assists) worked hard to keep pace with the Chietains.
CC had several scoring opportunities in each half, both on free positions shots and play set around the 8 meter but were unable to take advantage as aggressive and speedy Masco defenders made well placed stick checks causing Patriot turnovers.
Patriot’s Olsen made the most of her scoring abilities in the second half tallying all 5 of CC’s goals and at one point giving CC the lead. But it was shortlived as Chieftains would go on a 3 goal surge as Masco’s Amy Arnold would contribute for two back to back tallies.
The Chieftains finished the final four minutes of the game stalling the ball and limiting CC to just one scoring opportunity.
Coach Paul Morrison commented, "It hurts to lose a hard fought game like that, but if you take a step back you have to say it was a great game. Our goalie Conley Ernst, and their goalie Lili Miller were both outstanding under heavy pressure. I couldn't be prouder of my team. We knew coming in Masco was going to give us their best effort. We had beaten them four times in a row since 2010 and they were hungry, yet my girls played tough and had chances to pull this game out. Becca Olsen was outstanding today. She works so hard at her game I was thrilled for her to see that effort payoff this season. I loved coaching the 2013 version of the CCHS Patriots, and I can't wait for late February of 2014 because I know we are going to be good."
Streak runners share their favorite routes
By Nancy Shohet West, Globe Correspondent
"Streak runners" don't ever take a day off, but they do vary their daily running routines. Here are a few favorite routes shared by runners west of Boston who belong to the US Running Streak Association.
Bill Robertson, Ashland; streak began 2/8/77:
“Now that I’m living in Ashland, my favorite route is the Boston Marathon course. It is familiar, and, of course, has all the miles marked."
Dr. Harvey Simon, Newton; streak began 10/31/78 and ended 4/24/13 after glaucoma surgery:
“During the first 22 years of my streak, I averaged about 84 miles a week. My usual daily route was an 11-mile run that took me up and down the four Boston Marathon hills in Newton; on weekends, I ran various longer loops through Wellesley, Needham, Weston, and Dover, usually chasing fast friends. In recent years, I’ve been running half as far along quiet neighborhood streets in Newton. But my favorite Massachusetts route is my summer run in the Berkshires.”
Scott Cyphers, Bedford; streak began 8/29/05:
“Minuteman [Bikeway] can be nice if you don’t get run down. In addition to the well-known paved part from Bedford to Alewife, there is a branch from Bedford to Billerica called the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail, and another branch, Reformatory Branch Trail, to Concord Center.”
Paul Miller, Medfield; streak began 2/10/10:
“The roads around Farm Pond and the Charles River in Sherborn have a great mix of terrain and the scenery can be very picturesque at certain times of the year, especially after snowstorms in the winter.”
Nancy Shohet West can be reached at nancyswest@gmail.com.
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse:Patriots roll past Falcons
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
The Patriots began their MIAA Division 1 Preliminary Playoff round in true fashion Monday defeating Cambridge Rindge Latin 16-4 at Doug White field.
CC wasted little time in taking a 5 goal lead with tallies coming from senior Captain Kate Wyeth, junior Captain Allie Barret, Lexi Goodhue, and Hannah Dudley.
The Falcons appeared overmatched from the outset as CC repeatedly utilized high pressure, trapping Cambridge R&L ball carriers with double and triple teams. The Falcons were limited to short transitions with few shots on goal.
When shots occurred, Patriot goalie Conley Ernst kept the Falcons off the board for most all of the first half. Meanwhile CC’s starting offense ignited early then simmered as Coach Morrison took his depth from the bench for much of the half.
The Patriots went into the half with a 13-2 lead.
The second half began similar to the first as CC fielded their starting line up who notched 2 additional goals in the first 5 minutes. With the big lead Morrison resumed with regular substitutions for the remainder of the game. Senior Captain Maddie Holmes stood strong holding Cambridge R&L to 2 goals in the second half while the Patriots played a possession offense to close out the victory at 16-4.
"I was happy with the effort of the team," said Coach Morrison. "We were relentless when redefending to get the ball back. "My seniors, Kate Wyeth, Maddie Holmes! Lucy Fell, Miranda Gaehde, and Halle Burns got to walk off of their home turf as victors one last time."
CC (9-9-1) will play the Masconomet Chieftains (15-5) in the First Round of the MIAA Division 1 Playoffs on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in Topsfield.
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: Patriots hand one to Colonials
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
In a must win game to continue their quest for the Division 1 North playoffs, the Patriots allowed a 4 goal half time lead to slip away losing 15-14 to the Shrewsbury Colonials on Tuesday. It was a tale of two halves for the Patriots who took control for the first half of the game.
CC midfielder Becca Olsen dominated in the Shrewsbury end tallying 4 goals within the first 15 minutes of play including a beautiful stick check on the Colonial, scooping the ball and firing it to the back of the net.
Allie Barrett, Emma Mahoney, Jenna Carlton, and Cassidy Hale all provided additional tallies for CC as Johanna O’Neil provided them with 6 draw controls and 2 ground balls. Meanwhile CC defenders Lucy Fell, Madeline Leahy, and Brianna Stout coupled with senior Captain and goalie Maddie Holmes played a staunch, resilient defensive game making the Colonials work hard for every goal they could muster.
A Patriot yellow card allowed the Colonials to take an early lead of 3-2; however, once the teams regained balance, CC managed the ball better and went into half with a solid 9-5 lead.
The second half was all Shrewsbury; however, the Colonials made adjustments in their game plan, gaining more draw controls and modifying to a fast break game which stymied the Patriots.
The Colonials went on a 7 goal run to take a 12-9 lead as Coach Morrison called for a time out. Following the stop in play, the Patriots resumed play with a goal each by Mahoney and Hale to bring the game within one.
Shrewsbury responded with three straight fast breaks to push out to a 15-11 lead. With just over 4 minutes remaining and a second time out, the Patriots began to gain momentum again as Hale, O’Neil, and Mahoney all fought to win crucial draw controls. Kate Wyeth, Olsen, and Hale then followed through with needed tallies to bring the Patriots within back one a goal.
At 15-14 and just over a minute remaining, CC had to win the draw control for any chance to tie the game. And they did as Hale won the ball and raced down field toward goal spotting Barrett to her right.
Barrett-- seeking a must needed goal-- then drove to goal cutting between two Colonial defenders and firing a perfect bounce shot to tie the game. Unfortunately a questionable charging call was announced by an official negating the goal and giving Shrewsbury possession.
The Colonials then effectively went into stall mode for the remaining minute to win the game as time ran out.
"It was a tough way to lose," said Coach Morrison. "We had two goals called back in the second half with our season on the line. The kids never gave up, and like they have all season they fought and competed to the bitter end."
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: Patriots end season on high note
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
After losing to Shrewsbury Monday by one goal thus dashing any hopes for a Division 1 playoff run, the Patriots (8-9-1) rebounded in a strong fashion Tuesday by defeating #10th ranked Framingham (14-4) with a score of 15-13 at Doug White Field.
CC looked both strong and confident in their final game as they competed at the highest level against an athletic and stealthy Flyer team. Once again junior captain Allie Barrett led the charge wracking up 5 goals and 2 assists while Becca Olsen and Emma Mahoney both added 3 goals each.
Back in the lineup for CC were starters center Hannah Dudley who collected 1 goal, 5 draw controls, and 3 ground balls and sophomore Lexi Goodhue who had 3 tallies of her own with her distinct crease roll from around the net.
The Patriots battled the high powered Framingham offense matching them goal for goal through the first fifteen minutes of play but with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half and CC up by one, they managed the first notable lead as a Framingham shot hit the CC cross pipe.
The Patriots grabbed the ensuing ground ball then quickly transitioned down field for a tally. Moments later, Johanna O’ Neil would win the draw control and pass off to Kate Wyeth speeding down the right side of the field who’s perfect pass assist to Becca Olsen split the seam of two Framingham defenders.
Olsen found the back of the net giving the Patriots a bit of breathing room and a 3 goal lead. Both teams battled for goals through the following minutes but CC continued to chip away at extending their lead.
With confidence growing, the Patriots went into the half up by five at 14- 9.
As expected, Framingham came out fast and furious to begin the second half. CC Goalie Conley Ernst made several early key stops to help keep the Patriot lead. Though unsuccessful, the Patriots continued to create scoring opportunities of their own including a breakaway shot, three free positions, and a high pipe shot.
Both teams then buckled down and a defensive battle ensued as each offense could only muster one goal before the ten minute mark of the half. Once again CC defenders Lucy Fell, Johanna O Neil, and Madeline Leahy played smart resilient defense awhile freshmen defender Brianna Stout continued her aggressive prowess.
Down 15-10 with 11 minutes remaining, the battle tested Flyers were determined to not give up and continued to grind out plays while going on a 3 goal run to bring the game within two.
But CC would again match them goal for goal as Patriot’s Mahoney and Barrett each notched scores to help stave off any remaining Flyer attack.
The Patriots maintained the ball for the final seconds as the clock ran out thus ending their 2013 season.
Coach Morrison looked back on the season, "We had some very close losses over the year, none more bitter than the one goal loss to Shrewsbury yesterday. Yet this team was always resilient and battled to the end, and today they were rewarded for that effort by beating one of the top ten teams in the state. Kate Wyeth, Maddie Holmes, Lucy Fell, Halle Burns and Miranda Gaehde are terrific athletes and wonderful people. The Class of 2013 has laid the foundation for CCHS Girls Lacrosse to reach greater heights in the near future."
- Based on the win-loss record of their opponents, laxpower.com determined that the Patriots ended their season with the fifth most difficult Division 1 Girls Lacrosse schedule in the state only behind Andover, Westwood, Notre Dame, and Lincoln Sudbury.
- In spite of significant injuries to several starters, the Patriots lost 2 games by only 2 goals and 3 games by only 1 goal.
- The Patriots will be returning 16 of their 21 Varsity players in 2014.
- The Junior Varsity team under Co-Coaches Amy Carlton and Helen Lyons completed a very successful season with a 14-4-1 record.
- The Freshmen team under Head Coach Jenn Frizzelle and Asst. Coach Nancy Campbell had a perfect undefeated season with a 12-0 record.
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: Patriots pull a magic act on Marblehead
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
The CCHS Girls lacrosse team (6-8-1) put on a show of their own Friday defeating the Marblehad Magicians (14-1-1), 17-8 at Doug White Field.
The Patriots who are battling for a Division 1 playoff berth took control of the game early and never looked back. Senior Captain Kate Wyeth led the Patriot charge notching 5 goals while Allie Barrett and Becca Olsen supplied three goals each. Freshmen Cassidy Hale also punched in 2 goals with 2 assists as fellow classmate Sophie Shipe potted a goal.
Sophomore Conley Ernst was once again remarkably defiant in net. The Patriot netminder made 6 solid saves on 9 shots in the first half, some during early critical early stages of the game that allowed CC to push out to a sizeable lead before the half. Ernst would end the game with 9 saves on 16 shots for a 56% save average.
This may have been one of the Patriots best 50 minutes of overall balanced play this season. It was a solid team effort on both sides of the ball as the defensively Johanna O’Neal, Lucy Fell, Madeline Leahy, and Halle Burns continuously harassed Marblehead causing turnovers then collected ensuing ground balls and transistioned them up midfield to the offense.
The return of Captain midfielder Allie Barrett from an ankle injury was significant and immediate for CC as the junior scored two of the first three Patriot goals and helped CC set the tone for the game.
Marblehead, who had entered the game ranked as one of the top 20 teams in the state by various polls and newspapers could do little to gain any traction or momentum as CC took control outbattling for the ground balls and playing mostly mistake free lacrosse.
At the half CC led 10-3.
The Magicians managed a short spray of 3 consecutive goals early in the second half to bring the game within for at 10-6 however CC’s offense responded well to the challenge as Wyeth & Olsen both doubled up with tallies while Mahoney, Hale, and Carlton all found the back the of net.
With five minutes remaining and a 15-8 CC lead, Marblehead attempted to press the Patriots stalled offense by doubling up on CC ball handlers. The Patriots executed well however eating up valuable clock time while still notching two final empty net goals.
"We really needed that win," said CC Coach Paul Morrison. "Conley Ernst was the difference for us in goal early in the game, and then the team settled down. Captain Kate Wyeth had a monster game for us and led the way to keep our playoff hopes alive."
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: Patriots push past Buccaneers
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
Junior Becca Olsen collected four goals to help pace the CC Patriots (7-8-1)past the Bedford Buccaneers (4-9-1) 18-6 in Sunday’s makeup game.
After initially allowing two goals to the Buccaneers’ back on May 9th under threatening skies, CC poured on the offense with three goals in the next three minutes of play before the skies opened up resulting in a game postponement.
The Patriots picked up where they left off during Sunday’s makeup game dousing their opponent with eight goals to Bedford’s one.
Goals came fast and wide spread throughout the game from ten CC players including Kate Wyeth (3 goals), Allie Barrett (2 goals), Emma Mahoney (2 goals), Cassidy Hale (2 goals), Catherine Gouchoe (1 goal) Mirande Gaehde (1 goal) and Amelia Johnson (1 goal) and Johann O Neil (1 goal) while Sophomore attack Jenna Carlton led the team with 6 points on 1 goal and 5 assists.
The Patriots continued to show their balanced team approach on both ends of the field as junior Tessa Dibble, senior Lucy Fell, and freshmen Madeline Leahy and Briana Stout all made defensive contributions.
Barrett and O’ Neal supported the midfield play with a combined 7 ground balls. Conley Ernst minded net for the Patriots during the first half of play allowing only 2 goals, while Freshmen goalie Kayla Milofsky provided the same stubborn play in net the second half.
Coach Morrison- that win was much needed for the Patriots. "We are in a win or go home mode right now. If we want to make the playoffs we can't lose another regular season game. I thought Kate Wyeth led us again, and she has really picked up the team down the stretch. Jenna Carlton having 5 assists is a trend that the whole team needs to pick up on to make us more dangerous. It was great to see Miranda Gaehde, Amelia Johnson, Catherine Gouchoe, Tessa Dibble, and Kayla Milofsky make the most of their opportunity out there."
Concord-Carlisle girls lacrosse: CC 17, Weston 16
Information in this report was provided on behalf of the CCHS girls lacrosse program.
The Patriots defeated the Weston Wildcats Thursday 17-16 in a tightly contested lacrosse match. CC pulled it together in the second half defensively allowing only 5 goals on 12 shots while the offense sprang for 7 second period goals.
The Patriots were led by senior Captain Kate Wyeth and junior midfielder Becca Olsen as each provided 4 goals. CC sophomore attack Jenna Carlton supplied both offensive and defensive firepower with 3 goals and 3 caused turnovers.
The Wildcats took control of the game early on by winning the first two draw controls and taking them to goal with well placed shots on CC goalie Maddie Holmes before the Patriots would connect as Olsen would deke three Weston players then find the back of the net.
Weston fired back with two more goals to take a 4-1 lead before CC’s Wyeth would add a second tally bringing the score within two only to have Patriot freshmen Brianna Stout add a 3rd goal.
An offensive battle then ensued as each offense swapped goal for goal while neither defense was able to stop a shot. Eventually Patriots Wyeth and Carlton would stop the back and forth with back to back goals to tie the game at 10.
The Wildcats would add another goal before the half for good measure to take an 11-10 lead.
Goalie Conley Ernst took over in net for CC in the second half of the game and blocked three of the next four Wildcat shots. CC’s Hannah Dudley, Lexi Goodhue and Carlton would add back to back to back tallies to help the Patriots go on to take a one goal lead.
With time waning, CC defenders Halle Burns, Tessa Dibble, Madeline Lahey, and Emily Mushlitz ratcheted up their defense while Lucy Fell played her signature defense of slowing down Westons’ top goal producer.
Patriot Johanna ONeil continued to solidify her importance as she led the Patriots with 5 draw controls and 4 ground balls.
With jut over two minutes remaing, CC attacker Goodhue scored her second, and game winning goal off a free position shot while Ernst sealed the game for the Patriots with a 58 % earned save average. The Patriots finished by stalling the ball for the remaining 1:39 seconds.
"The tempo of the game determined our strategy from the sideline," said Coach Paul Morrison. "We were scoring on most of our shots so it made sense to keep firing away. Kate (Wyeth) and Becca (Olsen) were asked to step up and they did by scoring four goals each."
