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Independent Thoughts: Hopkinton Cricket Club continues to grow

by | May 31, 2022 | Featured, Featured: Features

Ravi Dasari

Ravi Dasari from the Hopkinton Cricket Club (in Red Sox hat) presents a check to Sanjay Bengal from CRY America’s Boston Action Center following the Hopkinton Cricket League championship on May 22 at Victory Field. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Now in its third year, the Hopkinton Cricket League continues to grow — and continues to take advantage of its prosperity to help the community. On May 22, the league held its season-ending tournament at Victory Field on Fruit Street.

Following the championship game — won by the ECC Hoickers over the Boston Blues — league organizer Ravi Dasari presented a check for $1,000 to a representative from CRY America, an organization that works toward restoring basic rights to underprivileged children, especially Indian children. Last year, the club donated a similar amount to the Hopkinton Police Department.

Dasari said his organization — the Hopkinton Cricket Club — hopes to continues its progress in town. The club organizes leagues in the spring and fall, and participation has grown from 12 teams two years ago to 20 teams this spring. About a quarter of the teams are Hopkinton-based.

The club also is looking to share its love of the game with residents, especially children.

“We want to introduce this game into schools, we want children to play,” Dasari said. “As more children play, the popularity will grow.”

The Hopkinton Cricket Club offers summer programs (email rdhello2@gmail.com for more information), and there is a weekly after-school clinic at Hopkins School.

Working with the Parks & Recreation Department, the club installed pitches — 22-foot-long rectangular strips in the center of the playing area — at the Fruit Street grass fields as well as on nearby Victory Field, and it’s working on a proposal to set up a pitch at the seldom-used Reed Park so it won’t have to defer to soccer and other sports that use the Fruit Street grounds.

“The town can help us build more facilities — we need a dedicated ground for cricket,” Dasari said. “It’s becoming more popular, people are starting to play in Hopkinton. There are so many people that want to play.”

Farmers Market returns

The Hopkinton Farmers Market, a nonprofit collaboration of local artisans, will be back on the Hopkinton Town Common each Sunday from June 12 until Oct. 16 from 1-5 p.m.

“We welcome all who care about supporting local agriculture, small businesses and artisans and building community,” shared organizer Laura Davis. “Come stroll to the music while you shop.”

For SNAP beneficiaries, the market will continue to offer a $10 incentive for $10 swiped on the EBT card at the farmers market tent. There will be Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) benefits as well.

Market vendors for the 2022 season include Birchtree Bread Company, Long Life Farm, Simply Simple Farm, Woodville Maples, Boston Sword and Tuna, Kelly’s Farm, Honey Nut Farm, Ox Cart Farm, The Pumpkin Farm, Angel Hair Alpacas, Doris’ Peruvian Pastries and Mary Pratt Wellness. New vendors include Fab Farms, Bicki’s Bakery, The Long Acre Cheese Company, Wicked Fruitful, Whitehall Kitchen, Clay in Common, Christian Hill Farm, Rob Leal Leather, Teajani and more local artisans. During the season’s final month, Red House Restaurant chowder will be available.

Check the organization’s website calendar (hopkintonfarmersmarket.com) to see which vendors are attending each week.

Vendors will provide a full range of food items including fresh bread and baked goods, cookies, cakes, pastries, tea, micro-greens, honey, maple syrup, handmade fudge, cheese, fresh fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fruit-based foods and flowers.

“Come and stock up your pantry for the week,” Davis encouraged. “Our artisans will be showcasing their jewelry, soap, pottery, candles, leather and food preservation products.”

Coolbaugh shifts to FCC

Faith Community Church on East Main Street announced the hiring of Laurel Coolbaugh as the pastor of group life starting in mid-June. Coolbaugh, who has been serving as pastor at the Sanctuary at Woodville, has been associated with Faith Community for the past eight years, offering the staff spiritual direction, leading soul care events and small group Bible studies, and covering pastor sabbaticals.

“It is an amazing story about how God has been unfolding this ‘new thing’ of my becoming one of their pastors, and I am very excited and curious to see what God will continue to do in our broader community,” Coolbaugh stated about her move across town.

Coolbaugh has been a part of Hopkinton and its broader faith community for many years. As the pastor of Woodville Baptist Church, while on a silent retreat, she got the vision for the Sanctuary and has led it for the past 13 years. She will remain on the board of directors at the Sanctuary.

Resident wins domino competition

Following up on a feature we recently did on Lyle Broughton, the Hopkinton resident was part of the team that won the championship on the new Fox television program “Domino Masters.”

Broughton competed on the Dominerds with Alex and Derek Koops, 21-year-old twin brothers from Iowa.

The season finale aired May 11, and the Dominerds won with a domino display that had the theme of an international treasure hunt. The winning team splits the grand prize of $100,000. …

Molly McGaffigan, who was the subject of a front-page feature last month, has left the Hopkinton Police Department. McGaffigan moved on to a job with the Massachusetts State Police. …

Congratulations to Owen Fitzpatrick, who was selected to represent Hopkinton High School at the Massachusetts gathering of Boys State. Sponsored by the American Legion, Boys State is designed to “teach democratic values, improve knowledge of government and encourage citizen involvement through an intensive weeklong program that immerses students in grass-roots democracy.” It will be held June 11-17 at Stonehill College.

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