On a cool, overcast morning in Worthington last week, a group of students from Gateway Regional High School took to the fairway at the Worthington Golf Club, cheering each other as they tried their hands at teeing off, driving, chipping and putting.
The outing was part of the school’s “Best Buddies” program, which enables one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through the program, “peers,” or students without disabilities are paired with “buddies.” Together, they participate in a variety of activities designed to encourage good communication and social skills, team building, camaraderie, empathy, understanding and most of all – meaningful friendships.
“I have met a lot of very nice friends that have a lot in common with me,” senior Johnny Barret, 19, said as he watched a classmate wind up for a shot. “I don’t think I’m very good at golfing, but it is fun to be here.”
Jenna Margarites, 18, said she joined the program with her friend Kiera Coon.
“We thought it would be fun to do together,” Margarites said as Coon wryly kidded her about her golf swing.
The students were accompanied by four program advisers, autism consultant and special education adviser Sean O’Neill, art teacher Avery Wing, guidance counselor Megan Wasiak and nurse leader Jodi Cabral-Croke.
O’Neill said students with disabilities had visited the golf course in the past, but never with their peers.
According to O’Neill, the school had been pairing students with different abilities through a social club before becoming a chapter of the Best Buddies.
“Our original social club started with 10 kids, now we have grown to 30,” O’Neill said. “This is our second year with Best Buddies and it really helps give them access to a lot of different activities.”
Through the program, participants attend monthly school events such as various themed and holiday parties, and proms. Students also enjoy activities outside of school including going ziplining or spending the day at Six Flags New England.
“This really fosters nice relationships between peers and buddies, and helps them expand their opportunities in life,” O’Neill said.
Jared Dana, 16, of Huntington said he enjoys being in the program.
“I have never golfed before but I would like to do it again,” said Dana, who traveled the course in his motorized wheelchair. “I like Best Buddies, I like everything about it.”
After completing a few holes, the students and teachers sat down to lunch at the clubhouse.
“They really enjoy each others’ company and real friendships develop that they maintain even after leaving school,” O’Neill said. “You can’t make these things happen, they just happen. It’s like magic really.”
After a one-year hiatus from its 40-year run, the Hilltown Craft Fair will be back this year, with organizer and potter Marty Phinney back at the helm.
Phinney was forced to cancel what would have been the 41st annual Haydenville Craft fair in 2015, due to a serious back injury that she suffered in late 2014 when she was attacked and knocked down by a neighbor’s dog near her Haydenville home. The attack left her with two fractured vertebrae and unable to work.
After months of physical therapy and determination, Phinney has been able to resume her craft, turning clay into lamps, tableware, and her trademark sculptures of flowers, birds and other life-like creatures.
This year the fair will feature Phinney’s work as well as a dozen other artisans, including jewelers, fabric artists, a basket maker, a bee keeper and sculptor.
On Sunday beginning at 10 a.m., there will also be a display of clay portraiture by sculptor and Hampshire College professor, Thom Haxo.
The Hilltown Craft Fair will run from from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28 to 30 on Grove Street. Admission is free. For more information, call 268-3228.
The Chesterfield Goshen Regional School District staff and administration, together with the School Committee and School Council, will hold an open community forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday to discuss ways to improve communication and encourage a collaborative school climate at the New Hingham Elementary School.
The forum will be held at the school at 30 Smith Road in Chesterfield.
The discussion, which will be moderated by Goshen Town Moderator Bob Labrie, will focus on problem-solving and setting a course for the future.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.