Webster TIMES

Thursday, January 2, 1964

THE TEN TOP STORIES OF 1963

This is the time of the year when editorial writers, news commentators and the wire services roll back the curtain of time to review what is generally classified as the 10 top stories of the year. And, the 12 months of 1963 were not exempt from that practise.

So, rather than run counter to trend, we have classified the 10 top stories of the year in the towns of Webster and Dudley. To begin with, analysis is unusual to the degree that the No. 1 story has to be that one carried in every review in every town, city and hamlet in the United States -- the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

The terrible tragedy in Dallas, Texas, hit Webster-Dudley area towns with a crushing, incredible blow. News of the assassination left residents tearful, limp, laggard. The bullet which cut down President Kennedy also took something out of the heart of everyone who cherishes the American system and knows of the principles upon which the office of the President of the United States in centered.

Paralleled only by the December 7, 1941 attack on Peal Harbor, the assassination of President Kennedy left an indelible mark on the towns of Webster and Dudley.

While hardly local in scope, the No. 2 story of the year developed on September 28 and culminated in ecstasy and wonder on October 1. Reference, of course, is to the three-day ordeal of Gary Nestor, the 11-year-old Whitinsville Boy Scout who was incarcerated in the East Douglas woods.

Camping overnight at the 200 Sportsmen's Club grounds on Sutton Road, Gary was separated from fellow Scouts at dusk on Saturday, September 28, while gathering firewood to the rear of the camp site.

A treacherous, marrow-chilling downpour broke early the following day. However, this didn't prevent organization of a search and, by 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, hundreds of volunteers were in the dense woods behind the 200 Club. Webster, Dudley and Oxford fire, police, civil defense and volunteer units were first to take to the woodland trails. They were followed by units and groups from the Nichols College Forestry Division and from Southbridge, Sturbridge, Auburn, Whitinsville, and from points near Boston and Providence, R.I.

Webster Selectmen declared an official emergency and, with the Red Cross, the 200 Club and countless other groups, organizations and individuals, fed and maintained search parties throughout the long, fearful three days of agony to which Gary Nestor and his family were exposed.

After three days, when the forces of pessimism began to take hold, the miracle of the year took place -- Gary Nestor was found alive! Rushed to Webster District Hospital, the Whitinsville Boy Scout was treated for exposure and dehydration. He rallied quickly, was listed in "good condition" less than 48 hours later and walked out of the hospital -- with a grateful, happy smile on his face -- on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

While undoubtedly of major significance and of great importance, our No. 3 story of the year is not a single, open and shut report. Rather, it is a collection of events and pronouncements recorded during 1963.

And it isn't all new. But for some reason, it blossomed during the past 12 months and promises to flower in the years to come. Reference is to the series of events which tend to break the hyphen between the towns of Webster and Dudley. The effect, whether it is good or bad, was probably debated more during 1963 than in the past 100 years.

Some of the events throwing the spotlight on the vigorous Dudley-first campaign were not intended to lend flavor to the debate. Rather, they were the simple recognition of community needs. Definitely in this category was the action of the Most Rev. Bernard J. Flanagan, bishop of the diocese of Worcester, who announced the partition of St. Andrew Bobola Church on West Main street, a mission of St. Joseph's parish, on January 4. Rev. Casimir Swiacki, a native of Southbridge, a former curate here and pastor of St. Stanislaus Church in West Warren, was named as the first pastor of Dudley's first Roman Cathoic parish.

Dudley's successful battle to regain designation as a Post Office town, promised for the future, added fuel to the Webster-Dudley divorce attitudes. Talk of a separate high school for Dudley students, of a community center and of other programs also sparked separatists enunciations.

Whether this story will continue to gain circulation and its effects, good, bad, or indifferent, is something to be chronicled as future years bow to the force of time.

Ranked fourth because total impact remains uncertain is local interpretation of the Conflict of Interest law. Probably the most time consuming, difficult problem of the year for Webster and Dudley Boards of Selectmen, the statute will probably require annual revisions and adjustments, as rulings are recorded and basis established for local judgments.

While the law hasn't had any profound effect on the Webster-Dudley political picture, it's no secret that some officials are taking a hard look at rulings promulgated by Attorney General Edward Brooke. These provide for more than a simple matter-of-fact interpretation, and could develop overtones on the Webster-Dudley scene. While 1963 saw the conflict of interest law take hold, effect could be long-range -- and permanent.

The medical service problem -- the so-called doctor shortage; and survey of needs at Webster District Hospital -- ranks fifth in our list of top stories.

The shortage of physicians became evident early in the year, when doctors on the hospital staff issued a public notice detailing their predicament. Generally speaking, the public recognized value of recommendations and this, in itself, helped to ease conditions. However, the addition of a physician and return of another who was forced to close his office after a serious illness, has helped immeasurably.

Spotlighting the condition developed public awareness and this, in turn, promoted organization of the Tri-Town Service Organization, a group dedicated to the idea the community environment must offer something in the way of attracting physicians. The year 1963 saw construction of the second privately-owned clinic setup for doctors. This means thast accommodations for physicians are without parallel.

Rumors involving plans to construct an addition to Webster District Hospital -- born shortly after the institution was opened in 1955 -- were confirmed during the year. However, these were termed "long range", to be taken up after the construction of a private sewer and discharge of other obligations. The sewer is presently being built and will be placed in service at an early date.

The proposed addition, estimated at approximately $600,000 will be erected to the front of the hospital, turning the T-shaped structure into a cross.

Holding the first downhill round in our top ten analysis is Department of Public works plans for a turnpike connecting link from the state line at Webster through to the Worcester Expressway. This holds sixth place importance because of the problems and uncertainties born out of a February 27 hearing.

At that time, DPW representatives placed "preferred line" for the proposed limited access highway in the woods to the rear of Webster District Hospital, running northerly, crossing Thompson road in the vicinity of the Joyce Nursing Home and then continuing through cedar swamp parallel to Route193 to a point near the entrance of Memorial Beach.

Then, after crossing the East Village dam and cloverleafing on Route 16, proposals carry across town farm land, through the town dump and across private property to the Oxford line.

While the hearing ran without incident, the problems compounded by the proposals came to light afterward. Owners of business establishments and homes affected by the proposed "taking" schedule claimed that alternate plans could be devised which would save their property without working similar hardships on anyone else. However, they claimed that engineering maps would have to be made available so that private engineering firms would have basis on which to predicate alternates.

Efforts on the part of property owners and Selectmen to secure a "second glimpse" at the maps have been unsuccessful. Thus, the story ranks classifications, if only beause of its frustrating aspects.

Ordinarily ranked much higher, construction fell to seventh spot this year because of the absence of the usual series of so-called "big" projects.

Only major undertaking to be started during 1963 was construction of the Webster Post Office, and this was more a matter of destruction. Started in late September, considerable time was turned over to razing the old office building and the adjacent Klebart Block, taken by the federal government by an act of condemnation.

Work on the new building started in November and, at the start of the year, only the front and side basement walls have been completed.

Construction of a new club building for the Polish American Citizens Club ranks as the second project of major importance in Webster -- and first from a tax viewpoint -- while the Dudley picture is anchored at Nichols College of Business Administration, where a three-quarter of a million dollar expansion program is in progress.

Dudley completed, dedicated, and placed its new Mason road Elementary School in service during the year. Developed for potential expansion, the building includes a modern cafeteria and gymnasium, offices and four classrooms.

Ranked eighth, if only for what it portends for the future, is decision of Webster and Dudley School Committees to strengthen School Union ties by creating the position of Director of Curriculum.

While uncertain because of dissenting elements on the Webster Committee, the move has been hailed as a significant step forward in coordinating study programs at all levels in elementary, intermediate and senior high education.

Definitely worthy of classification in listings, and assigned to ninth spot because of unknown factors, is the hassle between Webster Selectmen and the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

After refusing to grant seasonal package store licenses for more years than most Selectmen can remember, the ABCC made an abrupt turn late in the year, rejecting a license issued to Anthony Manzi and remanding the application of Walter Szynal to the local Board for "consideration."

The left Selectmen in a state of bewilderment, unable to explain ABCC action -- or logic. As a result, the Board met with ABC Commissioners in Boston early in December. The session was described as a "stand off."

Last but not least in compilations is a story which could zoom to first place ranking in review of 1964 events. Reference is to success of the Nipmuc Ski Club and the Webster-Dudley Chamber of Commerce in securing right to conduct the 1964 National Water Ski Tournament at Webster Lake.

Of importance in a review of 1963 activities, the hard work and effort chronicled in promoting the program will pay handsome dividends in 1964 -- placing Webster on the map!

Naturally, there were many other important stories during the 12 months of 1963. We've merely lifted some of the cream off the top in presenting our top ten stories of the year, but limitations of time and space dictate that a cut-off point be established at some juncture.

So, following established procedure, the top ten have been chronicled. All were important during the year and, to a great degree, promise to dominate the local scene for years to come.

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