Since the age of 2, Sophie LaFreniere has demonstrated strength and endurance in her long battle with glycogen storage disease (GSD). This month, her mother, Margot, will put her own endurance to the test as a participant in the Boston Marathon. “I always wanted to...
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International Marathon Center moves closer to reality
The planned International Marathon Center in Hopkinton is continuing to make strides toward becoming a reality, as the organizers recently hosted a preview night and plans have been drawn up to bring the space to life. Hopkinton’s Tim Kilduff, who in addition to being...
HMS teacher Brummett runs Boston to support school music programs
“I’m obsessed with the marathon,” Katharine Brummett gushes. “I love it.” Brummett, a media arts teacher at Hopkinton Middle School for the past 11 years, will be running the Boston Marathon this year on behalf of the Hopkinton Music Association. After attending art...
Levenson volunteers for Boston Marathon for long haul
Hopkinton’s Bob Levenson has been volunteering for the Boston Marathon since 2003. “And I still have the jacket to prove it,” he said. He’s amassed many colorful jackets since and has worn many volunteer hats as a member of the Hopkinton Marathon Committee,...
Comeau supports Lions Club in 50th anniversary of women’s division
One foot in front of the other. That’s how Sarah Comeau is running the Boston Marathon this month. “It kind of fell in my lap,” said Comeau, who is running on behalf of the Hopkinton Lions Club. The Millbury teacher and Worcester resident used to work near Hopkinton,...
Gilbreath makes marathon return
Rachel Gilbreath thought she had hung up her marathon shoes for good, but she’s putting them back on thanks to a challenge issued by her husband, Keith. Hopkinton Youth Boys Lacrosse president Ed O’Donnell ran into the couple last fall and asked whether Keith, an...
Gittlen’s Marathon cause is for paws
Sandra Gittlen started running at the age of 41 while struggling with a rare autoimmune disease. “I wanted to feel better and counter the effects of treatment,” she recalls. When she decided to participate in the Boston Marathon, Gittlen discovered she could combine...
Local couple Amelia, Mike Green overcome long odds to run Boston
Amelia and Mike Green have faced numerous challenges in their lives, any one of which could have derailed their ambitions to run 26.2 miles. But the couple will line up to tackle the Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day this year, a testament to their faith, unity, and...
After health scare, Levine embraces marathon challenge
Evan Levine has always considered himself a “3-5 mile” type of runner. But a visit to the doctor sparked a desire to take on the challenge of running a marathon, and the Hopkinton resident will make his 26.2 mile debut April 18 at the Boston Marathon. “I turned 44 in...
Gibney goes distance for Hopkinton Women’s Club
Devon Gibney personifies two aspects that make the April 18 Boston Marathon a very special race. The Hopkinton native is running for the Hopkinton Women’s Club as the race marks the 50th anniversary of the first official field of women runners — eight athletes who...
Independent Thoughts: Local farm fundraiser set to benefit Ukraine
Like many people, Margaret Bower has been following the reports out of Ukraine, where neighboring Russia has embarked on a campaign to destroy much of the nation. Unlike most people, Bower decided she wanted to get personally involved. A retired FBI agent who was a...
Business Profile: Miss Tanya’s nurtures children’s curiosity
If families are on the hunt for an outdoors-focused summer program, Tanya Trainor, the owner of Miss Tanya’s Family of Nursery Schools, says she knows just the place. “We spend 99 percent of our time outside during the summer,” she says, “and we are a process-oriented...
Marathon spotlight: Mia Coutinho
Leading up to the April 18 Boston Marathon, the Independent will profile local charity runners. This issue we highlight Mia Coutinho, who is running to raise funds for the 26.2 Foundation. Coutinho ran in last fall’s event and is looking forward to her first race on...
Thompson-Kane engagement
Alyssa and Christopher Thompson of Hopkinton joyfully announce the engagement of their daughter, Jacqueline December Thompson, to Timothy Francis Kane, son of Michele and Thomas Kane of Reading. Jackie, a 2015 graduate of Hopkinton High School and magna cum laude...
Photo contest winner, April 6 edition
The Hopkinton Independent presents “A Slice of Hopkinton” photo contest, sponsored by Bill’s Pizzeria. Readers are encouraged to submit photos of people, places or things in Hopkinton. The Independent staff will select one winner for each issue. The winner will have...
Senior Snippets, April 6 edition
The Hopkinton Senior Center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For a more extensive listing of programs check Ourseniorcenter.com/find/Hopkinton-council-on-aging or hopkintonseniorcenter.com. Anyone with questions...
Hopkinton aims to become Dementia-Friendly town
Hopkinton has begun a new marathon. Not a run to Boston, but the Hopkinton Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Initiative, a multi-year project to make the town a safer and more respectful and inclusive place for seniors and those living with dementia. The initiative...
Food for thoughtful: Resident takes pride in free ‘community suppers’
For the last six years, Brian Le Suer has spent almost every third Thursday of the month serving food to around 70 people from local communities. Le Seur has been a resident of Hopkinton since 1992 and is CEO of Zeenyx Software, a small company that specializes in...
Library Corner, April 6 edition
For more information on any of the following programs or other activities at the library, visit hopkintonlibrary.org. The library also can be found on Facebook, @hopkintonlibrary, and on Twitter, @HopkintonPLMA. Movie streaming Hopkinton Library cardholders now have...
Business Profile: American Heritage Museum inspires deep dive into history
“There’s a well-known saying that I use over and over again: Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it,” says Hunter Chaney, director of marketing and communications for the Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum. “There are certain human...