Four generations travel on Polar Express

HUDSON – Four generations of a local family were among those enjoying the round trip “Polar Express” train ride to “North Pole,” Vt., made famous by the popular children’s book of the same name.

Hudson resident Audrey Davidson was accompanied by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the Dec. 11. excursion. 

“It was snowing when we boarded the train at White River Junction,” said Mrs. Davidson, “making it picturesque.”  

Hot chocolate and cookies were served during the ride by “elves” from the local Rotary Club, which sponsors the annual event, and the “Polar Express” book was read over the loudspeakers. 

Santa Claus boarded the train to the sound of handbells when the “North Pole” destination was reached at Norwich, Vt. 

Thoroughly enjoying the trip with Audrey Davidson were her daughter, Beth Chiasson and husband, Paul Chaisson of Enfield, N.H., both formerly of Hudson, and their families: Danielle and Ryan Velmain and children, Sawyer, 4, and Natalie, 1 ½, of Wilder, Vt., Rachelle Chiasson, Thomas McKinnon and daughter, Reese, 1, of Thetford, Vt., Brandan Chiasson and Autumn Lanseigne of Wilder, Vt. 

First grandchild

There was another stocking to fill this Christmas for Hudson residents Brad and Cathy Parker, who welcomed their first grandchild on Oct. 30, 2022. Their grandson, Bridger Lee was born to Dan and Nicole (Parker) Mattson of Campton, N.H. Sharing great grandparent honors are Lee and Alda Parker, of Hudson, and Ken and Lyn Mattson, of Campton, N.H. 

‘Before Brooklyn’ author comes to Hudson

Ted Reinstein, author and Boston TV reporter, will be at the Hudson Public Library, Thursday evening, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. 

Reinstein will talk about his book “Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier.” “Before Brooklyn” notes that “not Jackie Robinson but Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1884 was the first black professional baseball player.”  Reinstein states that segregation gradually hardened throughout the country, and exclusion of Black people in baseball quietly became the norm, until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. 

Reinstein has been a reporter for WCVB-TV “Chronicle” nightly news magazine since 1997. Award-winning “Chronicle” is noted as America’s longest-running, locally-produced nightly news-magazine. 

Reinstein has been a contributor to the station’s political roundtable show and sits on WCVB’s editorial board. He lives west of Boston with his wife and two daughters. To sign-up for the Jan. 26 event go to huds.pl/ted22.

Vacancy on Commission on Disabilities

Pam Helinek, assistant director of Planning and Community Development, is seeking a fifth member on the Commission on Disabilities. Hudson residents with disabilities would serve in a volunteer capacity. For more information call 978-562-2948 or [email protected].  

‘Truly Devious’ book

Novelist Maureen Johnson will be launching “Nine Liars,” her latest “Truly Devious” book for teens, on Zoom at the Hudson Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. Johnson will be in conversation with Jennifer Lynn Barnes discussing the book. The Zoom program, open to both adults and teens, is hosted by the Tewksbury Public Library, in collaboration with dozens of Massachusetts libraries, according to Susan Ramsbotton, assistant circulation librarian. Register at huds.pl/mj2023. 

Fundraiser deadline

If Fresh Start Furniture Bank, Brent Drive, raises $60,000 by Dec. 31, a generous donor will match it with another $60,000. The bank is half-way to its goal. Donate at www.freshstartfurniturebank.org, use PayPal or Venmo, mail checks to the bank, 16 Brent Drive, Hudson MA 01749, or drop off check or cash at that address on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Dec. 31 – Garrett Sullivan, Dave Geary, Natalie Rivera, Bob Wood, Drew Bartolane, Bill Rivers, Jr. and Lauren Walsh
Jan. 1 – John Scichilone, Brittany Beals and Shirley Ficco
Jan. 2 – Rachel Davis and Cathy Waugh
Jan. 3 – Kristy Case, Tom Davis, Jaxon Capobianco and Denise Chaisson Gouveia
Jan. 4 – Loraine Melewski, Terry Wood and Mia Willard
Jan. 5 – Patty Gigliotti, Dan Sheehan and Natalie Crowley-Poirier
Jan. 6 – Taylor Brennan, George McInnes, Christine Nadeau, Keith Carter and Debbie Peltier
Jan. 7 – Jim Blais, Mark Hollick, Carl Leeber, Amber Powell, Chris Yates and Jak Armstrong
Jan. 8 – Pat Colaluca, Cheryl Monaghan and Janice Long
Jan. 9 – Mike Tucker, Joyce Cloutier, Carol Lazzaro and Elliott Mason
Jan. 10 – Cheryl Franke, Kristen Matthew and Melissa Cronin
Jan. 11 – Diane Smith, Kristen Downing, Caitlan McGowan and Aidan Micciche
Jan. 12 – Tyler Martin, Amy Morse, Angela Crossman, Debbie Lowe, Justin Bush, Dianne Moore, Caitlan Budrewicz and Alexis deCunha
Jan. 13 – Liz Sheldon, Lynne Micciche, Michelle Lapointe, Jen Wallingford, Diane White, Matt Jacobs and Connor Lambert 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Jan. 3 – Don and Jane Morgan
Jan. 8 – John and Linda Palmer
Jan. 10 – George and Pat Luoto
Jan. 11 – Rich and Diana Andrews
Jan. 12 – Brian and Karen Longtine.

LOOKING BACK TO 1971

Hudson High School seniors Bill Wright, Susan Domenico, Tom Patterson and Debbie Brooks were selected for leading roles in the senior musical “Kiss Me Kate.”

About fifty employees of Thomas Taylor & Sons held a Christmas Party at Hellen’s Restaurant. Dick DiCenzo hosted a holiday party at Buonavia Club for about 85 Holiday Campers from Hudson and Marlborough. Leonard VanVorse and Paul Geobbel of  Manning Post VFW delivered Christmas gifts to residents of Hudson Convalescent Home, Church Street.

Barbara Moore was winner of a Nativity Set handcrafted by Marie Andracchio in the raffle held to benefit the Don Colleton Family by the Hudson Gas Dealers Assoc. (Ed. Note: Don Colleton was badly injured in a fire at his gas station.)

Send items for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson MA 01749 or email [email protected].