ReportWire

Tag: westford academy

  • The Five Minute Read

    [ad_1]

    Winter market

    TEWKSBURY — Tewksbury Community Market’s first winter market of the season is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Tewksbury Senior Center, 175 Chandler St. Monthly winter markets will also take place on Dec. 18, Jan. 8 and Feb. 12. Each monthly market features 25 to 30 vendors selling food and other products.

    Vendors include many of the same businesses featured during the summer markets such as the food trucks of Polish Prince Pierogi, The Stand: Lemonade, Seafood Express, Empanada Dada and the Whoo(pie) Wagon. Vendors include Blisspoint Meadery, Farmer Palmer garlic products, Tewksbury Honey, Black Sheep Craft Ice Cream, Bittersweet Herb Farm and others, as well as handcrafted goods, artisan soaps, jewelry, books clothing and more. The community groups of English at Large and the Tewksbury Public Library will be tabling at the event.

    For information, contact Community/Economic Development Planner Alex Lowder at 978-640-4370, ext. 248 or alowder@tewksbury-ma.gov or Community Outreach Librarian Robert Hayes at 978-640-4490 ext. 205 or rhayes@tewksburypl.org or visit tewksburymarket.com.

    Sharps and medication disposal day

    LOWELL — The city Health Department is sponsoring an unwanted medication and sharps disposal day on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Senior Center, located at 276 Broadway St. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are accepted, as are inhalers, EpiPens, nasal sprays, lancets and Narcan. All pill medications must be in plastic bags — no bottles — and sharps must be in a puncture-proof container. Residential disposal only, no commercial disposal. For information, call 978-674-4304 or visit lowellma.gov.

    Call the Lowell Health Department for any discarded needles found in parks, fields or other public areas. To have those syringes removed, call 978-674-1049. On nights and weekends, call the nonemergency police phone line at 978-937-3200.

    Mark your calendar: ‘Forebears Service’

    WESTFORD — The public is invited to a “Forebears Service” at the First Parish Church United of Westford, on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 10:30 a.m., 48 Main St., to celebrate the church’s 300th anniversary. The service will closely replicate the one from its founding in 1725. The church has been an integral historical part of Westford, as a meetinghouse and settled minister were necessary to establish the town in 1729.

    The church has invited a descendant of the first minister, the Rev. Willard Hall, and Paul Revere’s “son,” who attended Westford Academy. They will share their family stories of Westford in the turbulent 1700s, when loyalty to the Tories or Patriots was being challenged. Historical items from the church vault, including Hall’s detailed Record Book, and other archival artifacts will be available for the public to view after the service and discussion. Refreshments will be provided.

    For more information, call 978-692-8350 or visit firstparishwestford.org.

    Save the date: City of Lights

    LOWELL — The City of Lights returns to Downtown Lowell on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The parade steps off at 4:30 p.m. at Jackson Street and ends at City Hall on Merrimack Street where Santa Claus will throw the switch to light City Hall.

    Participants can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the downtown area, including a hot chocolate contest, a holiday movie, a magic show, holiday card crafting, storefront decorating contest, seasonal story time, a wreath festival and many other events and activities.

    For a schedule of events, visit lowellcityoflights.org. For information, call 978-674-4260 or email case@lowellma.gov.

    [ad_2]

    Staff Report

    Source link

  • Hard-throwing Jake Cullen means business on Westford Academy mound

    Hard-throwing Jake Cullen means business on Westford Academy mound

    [ad_1]

    WESTFORD — Even from 60 feet, 6 inches, Jake Cullen is an intimidating presence, especially when he’s holding a baseball in his right hand and standing on a mound.

    The Westford Academy star pitcher has a message for hitters stepping into the box.

    “I’m not just working to win, I’m working to dominate,” he said emphatically while taking a break from Tuesday’s practice.

    And the senior’s done plenty of that. Cullen is a major reason the Ghosts have compiled an eye-popping 38-3 record the last two seasons. Entering this year’s state tournament, Westford is 18-2 and looking to make a long run.

    Before a hiccup last week in a loss to Chelmsford, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander was 4-1 with an 0.80 earned run average. In 26 innings, he had given just three earned runs on five hits – yes five – while striking out 40 batters. The loss now puts him at 4-2 with a 1.89 ERA.

    In addition, he’s also batting .375 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

    Over the course of his career, which included two years as the team’s closer, he’s 10-5 with six saves. As a starter, he’s 9-3 with an 1.19 ERA. In 64.2 innings, he’s given up 11 earned runs, while striking out 87 batters.

    The future University of Rhode Island hurler is accomplishing these incredible statistics with a wide variety of devastating pitches. He throws a fastball between 89-93 miles per hour. His changeup is about 15 to 20 miles slower, while he’s added two pitches, a cutter and slider.

    “I picked up the (cut fastball) by watching a lot of videos,” said Cullen, whose parents Bob and Tricia played soccer and lacrosse in college, while younger sister Mia is on the WA girls lacrosse team.

    “I was messing around with grips and I was thinking, what if I just rip a slider? When you throw a curve and a slider, you want to put your fingers close together, fastball as well, but (when I learned the cutter), I separated my fingers just a little bit just to get on the seam and rotated the ball in my hand. Once I did that, I just ripped it and it has worked,” he said.

    Cullen has played on various elite summer programs over the years. He grew up thinking he had a strong arm but really didn’t know until his freshman year, when he tried out for the WA football team.

    “I started playing football when I was in the seventh grade,” he said. “I was a tight end, a linebacker and a running back. When I came to Westford Academy, coach said, ‘All of the
    quarterbacks go over there’ and not one person went. I said, ‘OK, I’m going over there.’ Then the next thing I know, I’m swinging with varsity.”

    In three years as the Ghosts’ starting QB, he finished with the most wins in program history with 22. This past year, he threw for 1,710 yards with 19 TD passes, while he added 980 rushing yards and eight more scores. A two-time All-Conference selection, he was also named the DCL Player of the Year and one of three Lowell Sun Players of the Year.

    “Once football ended, Jake was up at that strength house in Groton and I never had to worry about him,” said WA baseball coach Mike Parent. “Some guys you hope come to camp in March in great shape but him, I don’t even have to ask him. He just works out like a demon. He does a lot of flexing and stretching drills and he just always has a plan. Everything that he has achieved is due to his hard work.”

    It doesn’t stop there.

    “This is a kid who takes every practice seriously. Every drill we do, he has a purpose for it.  He does not know half speed. He really doesn’t. He’s always working, fixing and perfecting his trade and I’m sure he’ll do that at URI. He has unlimited potential. He loves the game, he’s passionate and he loves football, too. He just loves to play sports and to compete. His compete level is up there,” Parent said.

    “The last month or so the high school seniors have been on an internship and he’s out on the field at noon time stretching and getting ready for a 2 o’clock practice. You don’t hear that too often.”

    After college, Cullen isn’t sure if he’ll join the Coast Guard or become an athletic trainer.

    “I have always wanted to be in the Coast Guard. I love the ocean but I also love protecting people and inspiring people. Athletic training is there because sports is my first love and I want to stick with it as long as I can,” he said.

    Opposing batters will be relieved when Westford Academy senior pitcher Jake Cullen, shown during a recent game against Chelmsford, heads off to the University of Rhode Island. (James Thomas photo)

    [ad_2]

    James Albert

    Source link