5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 30

1. Today is Memorial Day. Wikipedia says the first Memorial Day celebrations were in 1865 in Charleston, SC, by former slaves, who disinterred Union Civil War soldiers buried in a mass grave, buried them individually and decorated their graves. Several other cities lay claim to the day's origins. The Southern states did not participate in Decoration Day until after World War I when it was commonly called Memorial Day and extended to honor Americans who died in all wars, according to History.com. In 1967, the name was officially changed to Memorial Day. In 1971, Washington's Birthday, Veterans Day and Memorial Day were moved from specific dates to a Monday to make three-day weekends. Opponents say the change diminishes the holidays. Until 1971, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30, so today coincides with its original date.

2. Hopkinton honors its veterans this morning. There is a 9:45 ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery; 10:30 ceremony at the veterans flagpole at the Senior Center;  parade of veterans, fire trucks, police, Scouts and the Hopkinton High School band at 11:15 from Mt. Auburn Cemetery to the Town Common. The assembly will sing the National Anthem and the U.S. flag will be raised at noon. Ceremonies include placing wreaths, gun salutes, a keynote address by Doc Mosby, U.S. Air Force, Ret., Taps, prayers and readings. Refreshments follow at St. John’s Parish Center on Church Street. 

3. Seven U.S. Marine Iwo Jima veterans and the artist of Honoring the Spirit of Courage, Perseverance and Liberty, a 40x50-inch painting depicting the WWII battle of Iwo Jima are from Hopkinton. The painting by Hopkinton High and Rhode Island School of Design graduate Dustin Neece was exhibited at the Leatherneck Gallery at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA, this year. The Quantico exhibit included photos of  seven Hopkinton veterans - Harold Bowman, John Cahill, Richard Walker Clafin, Bill Connor, Bud Kinnarny, Bob Lavoie and Paul Phipps - who fought on Iwo Jima.

4. The Hopkinton Public Library will have a post-Memorial Day program on Wednesday, June 1, at 7 p.m.  There will be presentations, all by Hopkinton residents, from library archivist Linda Connelly; Russ Greve on the Revolutionary War; Steve Bartlett on the Civil War;  and Ray Gendreau on Shays' Rebellion, a post=Revolutionary War uprising named after Daniel Shays, who was born in Hopkinton.

5. A great Memorial Day dessert that will let you look good in a bathing suit: Grilled Peaches with Berry Sauce. 1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries in syrup, slightly thawed 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, 2 fresh peaches, peeled and halved, 4 teaspoons brown sugar (optional), 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon margarine. Directions: Process raspberries and lemon juice in a blender or food processor, until pureed. Strain and discard seeds. Cover and chill. Place peach halves, cut side up, on a large piece of  doubled-up or heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. x 12 in). Combine brown sugar (or non-sugar substitute) and cinnamon; sprinkle into peach centers. Sprinkle with vanilla; dot with margarine. Fold foil over peaches and seal. Grill over medium-hot coals for 15 minutes or until heated through. Spoon the raspberry sauce over peaches. Looks and tastes great!