Memorial Day, which is May 31 this year, is a time to look back, to honor those who lost their lives protecting this country. For Mike Whalen, who organizes the Hopkinton activities, he hopes it’s also a time to look ahead. “I’d like it to be almost a coming-out party...
Independent Thoughts
Independent Thoughts: Laughter yoga best medicine for Hopkinton’s Komaragiri
Kiran Komaragiri has a simple goal: She wants people to laugh more. The Hopkinton resident strives to achieve this goal not by performing comedy or creating viral videos but via laughter yoga, a relatively new practice that originated in her native country of India....
Independent Thoughts: Grabbert makes fitness fun with energetic classes at HCA
Torsten Grabbert started his professional life as an electrical engineer in his home country of Germany. It didn’t take long before he decided he didn’t have the passion for that career. At age 23 he became a fitness instructor and never looked back. In 2017, Grabbert...
Independent Thoughts: Award-winning educator Beattie driven to help struggling students
A big emphasis has been placed on social emotional learning lately, with schools realizing the importance of developing more well-rounded children and addressing mental health concerns as early as possible. Hopkinton’s Jessica Beattie has been on the forefront of this...
Independent Thoughts: Town rallies around local restaurants
Perhaps no businesses have faced a bigger challenge during the pandemic than restaurants. Now, with restrictions loosening, restaurants are hoping to bounce back. And the community is doing its part to help. The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce is organizing a Restaurant...
Independent Thoughts: Rec XC skiing program perfect fit for pandemic
Cross-country skiing has seen a boost in popularity during the pandemic, for obvious reasons. It’s an outdoor sport that naturally lends itself to social distancing. For Hopkinton Parks & Recreation, that made it a perfect addition to its lineup of winter...
Independent Thoughts: Rare disease, pandemic can’t keep 3-year-old down
In retrospect, Hopkinton residents Jamas and Margot LaFreniere say, they are among the lucky ones — despite the fact that their 3-year-old daughter has an extremely rare and life-threatening genetic disease. They were able to discover that Sophie has glycogen storage...
Independent Thoughts: Pedroli turns grief into inspiration
After her husband passed away in a car accident in May 2016, Hopkinton resident Kristen Pedroli had to navigate some unfamiliar territory. Realizing she could use some help learning how to deal with the emotional turmoil — along with suddenly learning to be a single...
Independent Thoughts: Local business owner grateful for assistance
Like many small business owners, Hopkinton’s Anna Gammal, a massage therapist and owner of Body n’ Beyond Massage Therapy & Wellness, had a rough 2020. But it ended on a very positive note when she was named a recipient of financial support from a national...
Independent Thoughts: Resident’s cancer battle inspires call for screening
When Diane Kelley learned she had breast cancer in 2018, she chose not to share the news outside her immediate circle. This fall, when it resurfaced, she elected to take a different approach. “The first time I went through cancer — I’m a pretty private person — I...
Independent Thoughts: Resident looks to make impact as intern with mental health project
Every year there is more and more discussion about mental health and how to spread awareness and eliminate stigma associated with it. Hopkinton’s Emily Taylor is hoping she can play a role in helping this movement continue to go forward. Taylor, a college junior at...
Independent Thoughts: Eagle Scout project a trip through history
When Ronnie Shamus first set eyes on St. John’s Wilson Street Cemetery, it was, as he described it, “in complete disarray.” A year later, the burial ground has been given new life. It was almost a year ago when Shamus, now a Hopkinton High School senior, was looking...
Independent Thoughts: Hopkinton adjusts after Boston Marathon postponement
The recent announcement that the Boston Marathon would not be held on its traditional mid-April date for the second consecutive year was disappointing news for Hopkinton — where the race begins and provides a spiritual and financial boost — but it was taken in stride...
Independent Thoughts: Health director hopeful about safe Halloween
Halloween has a few things going for it in terms of being a pandemic activity. Many trick-or-treaters already are wearing masks, and they’re outside. The primary concern is contact with residents giving out treats. So Hopkinton health director Shaun McAuliffe is...
Independent Thoughts: Residents frustrated with yard sign thefts, vandalism
We might be a society that is driven by social media, but an old-fashioned method of communication has seen a surge in popularity this year. Yard signs are all over town. There are signs celebrating graduates of high school, middle school and even preschool. There are...
Independent Thoughts: Town unites after another teen tragedy
Hopkinton suffered another tragic teenage loss of life this month when a 13-year-old died two weeks before he was to begin eighth grade at Hopkinton Middle School. Sadly, this is not a new experience for the town, mourning someone’s passing at far too early an age....
Independent Thoughts: Residents work on public needs fund
While Zack Sisitsky’s sophomore year at Georgetown University was upended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he recognized there are far more people for whom the pandemic has caused greater issues. And while there are many accomplished charitable organizations in...
Independent Thoughts: Special birthdays draw crowds to honor Mackin, Finnegan
It’s become common to see a drive-by birthday celebration during the pandemic. Recently there were two extra-special such events. On June 5 Hopkinton High School senior Liam Finnegan turned 19, and a parade of cars carrying well-wishers made its way through his Rocky...
Independent Thoughts: Parks & Rec optimistic summer programs pan out
Generations of Hopkinton children have grown up spending parts of their summers at the Parks & Recreation’s Summer Playground Group, the town’s basketball camps and Sandy Beach. It’s not yet clear what forms those activities will take this summer. At its May 19...
Independent Thoughts: Olde Towne Pound slated for makeover
If you’ve ever driven by the Olde Towne Pound sign and structure on West Main Street (just west of the intersection with Wood Street) and wondered what it was, you’re going to get your answer. Resident (and Planning Board member) Jane Moran recently was granted...