Top Stories and Blogs This Week on Patch

There were a lot of highlights this week on Westborough Patch, including a poll on the Westboro Baptist Church and a ranking of romantic restaurants in town. Here are some of the top stories and blogs:

• Cub Scout Pack 100 held its annual Blue and Gold Banquet at Mill Pond School on Feb. 12. Dozens of families enjoyed a catered meal, homemade crafts and the entertainment of Boston magician Bonaparte. Westborough Patch was there and had the story and photos.

• Nine years ago, Westborough resident Skip Richards got the attention of WBZ with his collection of over 3,000 paperclips. Today, that collection has grown past the 8,000 mark. Patricia James stopped by to get the story and photos of Westborough’s own Yankee Clipper.

• A.S. King, author of Westborough Reads Together featured book Please Ignore Vera Dietz, spoke to 16 Westborough students via Skype. The students, all part of a sophomore English class, had an opportunity to ask her questions and learn more about the novel.

• The Westborough High School Rangers varsity hockey team shared a moment of silence before the home game on Wednesday to pay tribute to a former player who died in a car crash. The family of the late Rangers player has been instrumental in helping to fund uniforms for the team.

• The controversial tree removal at Sandra Pond has officially come to an end, Conservation Officer Derek Saari told the Board of Selectmen this week. The forest and trails surrounding the reservoir officially open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 18.

• Stop and Shop in Speedway Plaza will soon include a wine store. LD Wines was approved to open in the center of the grocery store. The Board of Selectmen approved a liquor license for the new establishment this week after hearing from a concerned competitor and his lawyer.

• Westborough Patch blogger and town historian Glenn Parker shared the controversy that erupted in town when the commonwealth announced plans to build the MassPike. At one time, the new road was expected to bisect Westborough, running just about where modern day Denny Street is.

• Blogger Trish Reske conquered her inner brat and bully — traveling to Alabma to do it. Reske, who has completed nine Boston marathons, officially qualified for the race in Birmingham this week, breaking all of her previous times. Her story provides inspiration for all of us.

• Deb Schradieck, Westborough Patch blogger and local realtor, shared some news on the new hardware store moving into the former Village Lumber location, including the new color of the siding.

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