Four generations travel on Polar Express

Hudson – Four generations of a local family enjoyed a trip on the ‘Polar Express’ train to and from the ‘Arctic’ Vt., made famous by the popular children’s book of the same name.

Hudson resident Audrey Davidson took her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along for the December 11 field trip.

“It was snowing when we took the train at White River Junction,” said Mrs. Davidson.

The “Elves,” a local Rotary club that sponsors the annual event, served hot chocolate and cookies during the ride, while the “Polar Express” book was read out on a loudspeaker.

Upon reaching the “North Pole” destination of Norwich, Vermont, Santa Claus boarded the train to the sound of handbells.

Thoroughly enjoying the trip with Audrey Davidson were daughter Beth Chiason and husband Paul Chason (both in Enfield, New Hampshire) and their families: Danielle and Ryan Belmaine with children Sawyer (4 1 ½ years old) and Natalie (1 ½ years old).Rachel Chiasson, Wilder, VT, Thomas McKinnon with daughter Reese, Thetford, VT, Brandan Chiasson, Autumn Ransane, Wilder, VA

first grandchild

For Hudson residents Brad and Kathy Parker, who welcomed their first grandchild on October 30, 2022, there was one more sock to fill this Christmas. Honors go to Lee and Alda Parker from Hudson and Ken and Lynn Mattson from Campton, New Hampshire.

‘Before Brooklyn’ author comes to Hudson

Author and Boston Television reporter Ted Reinstein will be at the Hudson Public Library on Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 pm.

Reinstein discusses his book Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier. “Before Brooklyn” states that “the first black professional baseball player in 1884 was not Jackie Robinson, but Moses Fleetwood Walker.” Reinstein notes that until 1947, when Jackie He Robinson broke the skin color barrier, segregation gradually tightened across America, and the exclusion of blacks in baseball quietly became the norm.

Reinstein has been a reporter for WCVB-TV’s “Chronicle” nightly news magazine since 1997.

Reinstein is a contributor to the station’s Political Roundtable and a member of the WCVB Editorial Board. He lives west of Boston with his wife and his two daughters. To sign up for the January 26th event, visit huds.pl/ted22.

Disability Committee vacancies

Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, Pam Helenek, is looking for a fifth member of the Disability Commission. Hudson residents with disabilities serve in volunteer positions. For more information, call 978-562-2948 or [email protected].

“Truly Wicked” Book

Novelist Maureen Johnson will release her latest “Truly Devious” book for teens, “Nine Liars,” Wednesday, January 4 at 7 p.m. on Zoom at the Hudson Public Library. Johnson plans to discuss books with Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Circulation Librarian Susan Ramsbotton said, please register at huds.pl/mj2023.

Donation deadline

If Fresh Start Furniture Bank’s Brent Drive raises $60,000 by Dec. 31, generous donors will be matched with another $60,000. The bank has reached half of its goal.to donate www.freshstartfurniturebank.orgPayPal or Venmo, mail your check to the bank at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson MA 01749, or bring your check or cash to the address on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

birthday
December 31 – Garrett Sullivan, Dave Geary, Natalie Rivera, Bob Wood, Drew Baltran, Bill Rivers Jr., Lauren Walsh
January 1 – John Sicillone, Brittany Beals, Shirley Ficco
January 2 – Rachel Davis and Cathy Waugh
January 3 – Christy Case, Tom Davis, Jackson Capobianco, Dennis Chasson Gouveia
January 4 – Lorraine Meliewski, Terry Wood, Mia Willard
January 5 – Patti Gigliotti, Dan Sheehan, Natalie Crowley Poirier
January 6 – Taylor Brennan, George McInnes, Christine Nadeau, Keith Carter, Debbie Peltier
January 7 – Jim Brace, Mark Holrick, Karl Lieber, Amber Powell, Chris Yates, Jack Armstrong
January 8 – Pat Kolarka, Sheryl Monaghan, Janice Long
January 9 – Mike Tucker, Joyce Cloutier, Carol Lazarus, Elliott Mason
January 10 – Sheryl Franke, Kristen Matthew, Melissa Cronin
January 11 – Diane Smith, Kristen Downing, Caitlan McGowan, Aidan Micheesh
January 12 – Tyler Martin, Amy Morse, Angela Crossman, Debbie Rowe, Justin Bush, Diane Moore, Kaitran Budrewitz, Alexis Decuna
January 13 – Liz Sheldon, Lynn Mitch, Michelle Lapointe, Jen Wallingford, Diane White, Matt Jacobs, Conor Lambert

happy anniversary
January 3 – Don and Jane Morgan
January 8 – John and Linda Palmer
January 10 – George and Pat Luoto
January 11 – Rich and Diana Andrews
January 12 – Brian and Karen’s Long Tin.

Looking back on 1971

Hudson High School seniors Bill Wright, Susan Domenico, Tom Patterson, and Debbie Brooks were selected to star in the senior musical Kiss Me Kate.

About 50 employees of Thomas Taylor & Sons held a Christmas party at Hellen’s Restaurant. Dick DiCenzo hosted a holiday party at the Buonavia Club for approximately 85 holiday campers from Hudson and Marlborough. Manning Post VFW’s Leonard VanVorse and Paul Geobbel delivered Christmas gifts to residents of the Hudson Convalescent Home on Church Street.

Barbara Moore won a nativity set handcrafted by Marie Andracchio in a raffle held by the Hudson Gas Dealers Assoc for the Don Colleton family. (Editor’s note: Don Colton was seriously injured in a gas station fire.)

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