SUNDERLAND — A “spud-tacular” time was had by all at Teddy C. Smiarowski III Farmstand and Creamy’s Potato Festival this past weekend.
The event, which was held Saturday and Sunday at the farmstand at 320 River Road, featured wagon rides, “touch a tractor,” a sunflower maze, the farmstand’s own polish food and a meet and greet with Mr. Potato Head.
SUNDERLAND — During a recent Selectboard meeting, members held a moment of silence remembering long-time community leader Al Ruben Drake who passed away Sept. 16.
“Ruben will be missed, I can’t say enough about him and his family,” said board Chairman Thomas Fydenkevez before calling for a brief remembrance. Drake left behind his wife of 53 years, Christine Drake, and their five daughters.
“People like Chris and Ruben make our town a lot better place,” Fydenkevez continued. “At this time I’d like to offer a moment of silence for the passing of Al in a moment of silence.”
After the silence, Selectman Scott Bergeron agreed with Fydenkevez and described Drake as having “a moral compass that simply pointed the right way.”
“There are many threads of composition that’s the fabric of Sunderland,” Bergeron said, “and some of those threads have a little more glimmer to them. (Drake) was a good-hearted person, and he and Chris have added to that glimmer.”
Drake served the town on many boards and in various capacities including as the town’s assistant fire chief for more than 20 years. He was also on the Planning Board, Public Safety and Building committees.
CONWAY — The Conway Grammar School has received state recognition for its superior performance.
Principal Kristen Gordon said the school has been labeled a “level one school” by the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.
“Bravo to the staff, children, School Committee, parents, and community for supporting (Conway Grammar School)!” Gordon wrote in an email. “This is a team effort and I am so proud to be part of this amazing team.”
In an email response about the new state-ranking, Frontier Regional School District Superintendent Lynn Carey said she’s “extremely proud of the hard work and level one status achieved by the students and staff” of the school.
According to the state’s school department of education website, school districts are classified on a one to five level scale, with one containing the highest performing districts and number five being the lowest.